Audi TT 2011: Still beautiful, better performance
The Audi TT is not only one of the most elegant sports cars on the market, it’s also the most popular in the world in the category. In fact, Audi says that sales of the TT surpass that of all its competitors – but that doesn’t mean that they’re going to rest on their laurels in Ingolstadt. After the initial launch of the model in 1998, a new and greatly improved version was unveiled in 2006 with a more refined shaped, and more importantly, with a better platform and a body designed partially in aluminium to make the car lighter. Two engines were available on the North American market: a 3.2-litre V6 and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Then, last year, the V6 engine was replaced by a turbocharged version of the 2.0-litre, it produced 272-hp four-cylinder engine. The continued excellent sales figures would be enough for many companies, but Audi is constantly trying to progress and refine its products by steadfastly improving technology.
Several improvements have been made to this model for 2011, such as the arrival of a new 2.0-litre engine that has been totally revised in order to better performance and reduce fuel consumption.
Mechanics first and foremost
As mentioned, the biggest change is the new 2.0-litre engine under the hood of the regular version. Audi tells us that this TFI engine is much more technically refined. Featuring 211 horsepower, it replaces the previous 200-hp 2.0. This new four-cylinder is turbocharged and comes with the Audi Valvelift system. With the six-speed manual transmission, it goes from 0-100 km/hr in 6.1 seconds and maxes out at a speed of 245 km/hr. Audi also has an optional S tronic six-speed gearbox which, along with quattro all-wheel drive, goes from 0-100 km/hr in only 5.6 seconds. This new engine, paired with the manual transmission, consumes only 6.6 litres of fuel per 100 km, which is an improvement of 1.1 litre/100 km or 14 percent.
The S tronic twin-clutch gearbox helps change the six gears without a noticeable interruption, shifting from gear to gear in a few hundredths of a second. Depending on the driver’s wishes, it functions in either completely automatic or manual mode, with shifter paddles on the steering wheel. With the automatic, there are two modes available: N for normal, S for sport. The “Launch Control” helps make for more efficient accelerations.
The TTS engine is also back for 2011 in both the Coupe and Roadster versions. This 2.0-litre TFSI, with its bigger turbocharger and numerous other modifications, features 272 horsepower. With its optional six-speed S tronic gearbox, the TTS Coupe goes from 0-100 km/hr in 5.2 seconds and its electronically limited maximum speed is 250 km/hr. With the S tronic, the Coupe’s average fuel consumption is only 7.7 litres per 100 km.
Finally, Audi has promised that the TT RS would be distributed in our market for the 2011 model-year. This time, the engineers have gone with a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine. Thanks to its turbocharger and its FSI direct fuel injection, this engine produces 340 hp and powers it from 0-100 km/hr in 4.6 seconds. An acoustic valve located in the left exhaust and activated by the Sport button makes the sound of these five cylinders even more guttural while the optional sport exhaust system increases this effect. Lastly, the S tronic will be offered with seven speeds very soon.
Basically, the drivetrain designed by Audi’s engineers have met all of the expectations of potential buyers.
Minor changes
It’s tough to change a winning combination too much, which is why the TT, both the Coupe and the Roadster, is relatively unchanged compared to the 2010 versions. However, several slight modifications were made to refine the shape and improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics. The front bumper includes larger air intakes while the fog lights have a chrome ring. The colour of the Singleframe front grille is now a shiny black and the headlights are slightly inclined and wrap around the side. The optional Xenon Plus lights have been redesigned and on their lower edge there’s a straight line of twelve white electroluminescent diodes which make up the daytime driving low-beam headlights. On request, Audi also delivers directional headlights. At the back, tube-shaped reflectors give the tail lights an impression of visual depth. Note the double exhaust tips and the rear spoiler integrated into the contours of the trunk lid. It comes out automatically at a speed of 120 km/hr and retracts at less than 80 km/hr. The driver can also activate it at any moment at the flip of a switch. The Roadster’s canvas top is another characteristic that is near and dear to Audi’s heart. This makes the vehicle lighter and the system has a simple mechanism that doesn’t take much space.
The passenger compartment has changed very little and remains the benchmark in the category. Not only are the materials and finish impeccable, but the design is striking. The stick shift is relatively short, the steering wheel is comfortable and the driving position is practically flawless. And the switches are easy to use and easy to reach.
On the road
For the launch of this new model, we had the opportunity to test the new 2.0-litre engine followed by the TTS and the thunderous RS, and not necessarily in that order. The brand new model still has the previous version’s dynamic and aerodynamic qualities and is relatively neutral in turns and very agile. It changes direction like it’s on rails and tire scrubbing on the road is minimal. This slightly more powerful engine has better output and its maximum torque reaches a relatively low engine speed, which makes city driving a lot easier. Like before, the manual transmission features well selected gear ratios and shifting is easy. And I must mention the astounding efficiency of the S tronic twin-clutch transmission yet again. Shifting occurs in the blink of an eye using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. On the highway, even at high speed, the convertible’s soundproofing is impressive. At more than 230 km/hr – on German autobahns, of course – we were able to have a conversation without raising our voices.
The TTS is definitely the happy medium with its power and handling. It offers a magnetic suspension that adjusts automatically in no time flat and always seems to find the solution to the condition of the road. Moreover, its engine is responsive and its output is noteworthy. As a result, accelerations and pick-up are more incisive, which will make sport driving enthusiasts happy. But if this version is seen as the ultimate solution for any TT driver looking for better performance, the fabulous RS should be right there with it.
This model stands out with its exclusive spoiler, more powerful brakes and a suspension that is 10 mm lower, but performance is what really sets it apart. Our test model included sport seats that had excellent lateral support that helped repeatedly take on tight turns without any problems. What’s more, the very unique sound of a turbocharged five-cylinder engine was music to our ears. And of course, whether it’s on a winding road or a German autobahn, the stability was impressive and we really had the sense that we were in control on board.
At the end of the day, this new vintage of the Audi TT is very well made, and all the more so since the new TFI direct injection engine features better performance and fuel economy. The TTS and RS versions were designed with sport driving enthusiasts in mind, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Audi TT and its different versions remain the most popular car in its category on the world market.
