When Audi released the new TT many critics had sensed the new angular aggressive lines had tarnished the cars popularity with its key stereotypical demographic; the hairdresser and air stewardess. They thought that the curvaceous effortless stylishness of the previous two generations that had won the car so many design minded followers had been replaced by a butch, mean looking coupe that would frighten the admirers and end up losing sales for one of Audi’s most popular models. The TT had grown up and visually had become a smaller version of the new aggressive looking R8, itself a more muscular looking incarnation of the previous model. The styling of both models was such a change from the previous generations that many weren’t keen to begin with, but it didn’t take long for the fondness to grow.
Next to the previous versions of the R8 and TT, the new models look futuristic and cutting edge, the outgoing versions appear almost dated and familiar, not as neat or brimming with style details. The aggressive stance and angular lines fit the shape of the cars perfectly and the styling has brought out a mean looking front that certainly means business. At launch the R8 was only available in top of the range V10 plus guise, more than enough to match the razor sharp design of its new appearance. The TT was available in a number of configurations with the TTS being the top of the range; until now.
The TT RS has always been every bit the sports car you’d ever need, and now it firmly bangs on the door of supercar potential. At a first glance the looks remain largely the same apart from the fixed rear spoiler hinting at the sporting potential. However it is underneath the bonnet is where all hell breaks loose with Audi shoehorning in a 2.5 litre turbocharged 5 cylinder engine that is good for 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds and has 400 raging horses delivered through their famous quattro 4 wheel drive system. All for, as near as makes no difference, 60,000 of your Brexit battered pounds. Impressive figures for car that was once considered mostly a shopping trip runabout and a fashion accessory that was all looks and no driving dynamics. That’s Vorsprung Durch Technik working overtime right there.
Things are different at Audi these days, especially with the new TT. They have track pedigree in their corner instead of rally bred muddy country lane driving and a line-up of fearsome RS badged cars that show exactly that heritage. When the original TT was launched it was more or less the only good looking car from the German manufacturer, now they have lusted after performance models across the whole range. The styling of their cars has gone from sensible and functional boxes to stylish and contemporary technology laden futuristic visions that push car potential into the future.
The new TT slots into this mantra even better than the rest of the range.At first glance it looks like something truly special. The ethos of the car is that very little of the design thinking changed from initial concept right through to production ready and it definitely shows. The bodywork is crammed full of neat angular lines and creases creating a purposeful angular shape, completely removed from the curvaceous bulges it once carried. A simple trapezoidal single frame grille bordered by a thin profile chrome surround fills the front of the car with slim narrow profile headlights peering underneath the bonnet line like a frown. The Audi four rings have moved onto the bonnet a la R8 and free up the grille for clean minimalist lines, or at least it would if you didn’t have to ruin it with a number plate spoiling the looks. An aggressive scooping bumper with additional inserts to each side give a hint that this TT means business, also aiding cooling to the massive brakes keeping the car in check. The signature daytime running lights that all current Audi’s now feature have brought on a Tron-like look to the lighting at both the front and rear, and the uninterrupted light bars are a classy attention to detail to the cluster whether your main headlights are on or off.
From the side the profile is unmistakably Audi TT, with the trademark roofline arching over the car like a turtle shell. The shoulder line of the car remains running from bonnet to boot with the back extended a little to create a flick rather than a curve to the rear. At the rear the speed activated spoiler has been replaced by a fixed wing; the only real addition you’d probably notice when one tears past you at speed. The tidy rear light clusters have the same neat daytime running feature as the front, which at night you’d be hard pressed to tell apart from the new R8. The signature double oval large tail pipes are a signature of an RS model and give a large gaping hint at the staggering performance on offer.
Audi have cleverly left the design features that matter for the TT brand, like the iconic roofline shape and the racing style aluminium filler cap with exposed screw heads. These features stand out as classic TT signatures and no matter how cutting edge the design, it’s good to see them being carried forward. Another feature that the baby coupe has always excelled at is the strength of its interior. Audi are well known for their luxurious well made stylish interiors and with the latest TT they’ve really gone to town. As well as the diamond stitched leather, brushed aluminium, soft alcantara, heating vents that look like engine turbines and comfort that most executive saloons can’t offer, the TT has given us the dashboard of the future. The ‘virtual cockpit’ as they imaginatively describe it offers no fixed dials or instruments but instead a full 12” screen that can be customised to pretty much show you whatever you fancy. There’s large dials, small dials, full screen Google Earth sat nav, album covers, camera feeds and more information than you could possibly ever need to know. It makes every other dashboard look so 1980’s you wonder why it hasn’t been thought of sooner. The digital dashboard isn’t distracting or in your face when driving, although it does give you hours of entertainment when stuck in a traffic jam, and offers a customisable format like no other.
The advanced technology on offer seems perfect for the TT, a stylish blend of cutting edge features to match the sharp stylish looks. The exterior has been brought bang up to date and offers a new approach for Audi’s small coupe, departing from the cutesy somewhat feminine appearance of the predecessors. In RS form that aggression is exaggerated and the ferocious power matches the angrier styling to a T, or even a TT (sorry). At £60k it is a performance bargain, supercar rivalling speed and acceleration for a fraction of the price and in a car that can be used not just every day but all day. In a previous model you might say that the styling and appeal of the car doesn’t quite justify its proximity to calling it a supercar, but see one on the streets and you’ll notice just how good the car not only looks but sounds as well. It’s every bit a baby R8 and now thanks to the RS powerplant has the performance to keep up with it too.
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