Audi TTS tested in the UK: Most agile and powerful in the segment

LONDON: The new Audi TTS is one of the lightest and agile sports cars available in the market today. Despite its hard suspension, the car is a pleasure to drive long distances and can change ideas about what a sports car should be.

An Audi TTS was tested for a week in the UK and the conclusion is that this is a compact super car that would be more at home on a track than on the road.
Ever since the first TT was produced in 1999, the Audi coupe has been popular with buyers in Europe and the region.
This third generation TTS raises the bar for the segment in design, materials and power.
Extensive use of aluminum in the chassis has meant that the car weighs no more than 1460 kg, losing 50 kg in its new format.
The engine is a four-cylinder 1984 cc turbo charged petrol unit that produces 306 bhp. In the S it drives exclusively through a four-wheel-drive powertrain that’s front-biased but has an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch at the rear axle. Yet, it can send all the torque to either axle and can accelerate to 100 km per hour in 4.8 seconds.
Fuel consumption is good at around 41 mpg in a combined cycle. Top speed is limited to 155 mph while CO2 emission is 159 grams per kilometer.
The six-speed double clutch gearbox, which is optional, completes a fine drive system that would rival the best compact sports cars. Despite its petite size, the TTS is very stable at high speeds thanks to its quattro all-wheel drive.
The light-weight and powerful engine make the TTS a projectile on the open roads not only in sheer speed but also — and more importantly — in acceleration for overtaking.
This is helped by precise handling supported by electric power-steering, However, driving the TTS on bad surfaces of side roads makes it uncomfortable due to the harsh suspension settings.
There are a number of suspension selections (comfort, sport and dynamic etc.) but they range from hard to hardest!
As well as selectable modes for the dampers, one can select different settings for the engine/gearbox calibration, steering weight and ESC intervention: you can choose pre-set modes or pick and choose different set-ups.
The TTS is fun to drive especially in the S mode which produces roaring exhaust sound from its four-pipes.
The interior is simple in design and fine materials.
Two sports seats dominate the cabin with narrow rear seats that may be fit for infants during short drives.
Yet, the TTS has a specious boot which can be extended by folding the rear seats down.
Black seems to be the favorite color for the TTS interior. A digital instrument panel replaces analogue dials.
The driver can change the view between large dials to navigation maps.
There is no central screen to obstruct view or attention and instead circular air conditioning vents with controls take central positions.
Driving experience

The TTS is a pretty tight fit for tall people and the sports seats have hard edges that can catch legs in getting into the car and out of it.
Once inside, the TTS fits like a glove with clear vision all round and choice of instrument panel view and ride quality between comfort, auto and dynamic.
The TTS is more at home on motorways than side streets. At 70 mph cruise the car is stable with low wind noise and lots of power to spare.
The car has a short turning circle and is easy to maneuver in tight corners.
One of the clever touches is moving the air conditioning controls into the vents themselves and controlling functions from a rotating menu on the digital “virtual cockpit.”
This digital display has allowed Audi to do away with a central screen. Control of the digital display is through a rotary knob behind the gear lever or buttons on the steering wheel.
The front-seat passenger is allowed to change the volume on the sound system through a button next to the gear lever. The passenger can also control air conditioning.
The TTS is easy to drive in automatic mode or in manual sequential shifting from the gear lever or the steering wheel paddles.
It has excellent acceleration and grips the road well.
The TTS is also very safe with a four-star Euro NCAP rating and it carries front and side airbags as standard. However, it does not have automatic emergency braking. Matrix LED lighting is a good safety feature for night driving.
Some of the gadgets include USB socket for MP3 players, DAB digital radio, stop-start mechanism and digital climate control.
This is an excellent compact sports car which is highly recommended to young executives in the GCC region.
It is easy to drive and park, can be used as a city car and adds clout and style to any executive arriving for classy events.