Expected to cost about €4,000 more than the equivalent Coupe TT, the Roadster for the first time since its 1999 launch gets an electric hood as standard equipment.
This is good news when so many cheaper drop-tops offer the labour saving device as standard. A simple touch of a button will help keep manicured nails intact as there is no more need to manually twist a lever. The mechanism that operates the cloth roof is fully automated and in case you were wondering there are no plans for an optional hard-top.
Six-speed manual or ‘S-Tronic’ are the gearbox options with the ‘S-Tronic’ (DSG to you and me) commanding a premium. Audi pioneered DSG and as regular readers will know, I am a huge fan of this automated manual gearbox. Not only is it faster shifting than a standard manual but a better performer in terms of acceleration and fuel consumption. The steering wheel mounted ‘Paddle’ shifts work a treat and should you tire of shifting gears manually the car will default back to fully automatic after a short period of time.
The engine range for now includes a 2 litre (from VW’s GTi) and a 3.2 V6 that powers the Quattro all wheel drive version. Apart from a difference in torque there is very little between the two engines in day to day driving despite the difference in ‘cc’.
The front wheel drive 2 litre is the more fun in the real world. It's nimble and engaging whereas the 3.2 is clearly a more focused point to point car, serving up fewer legal grins. Quattro is far more precise, serious, suited to Alpine roads and a better driver than me! Oh and it’s ten grand dearer – I rest my case.
The exterior features a concave cloth hood that doesn’t harm the car’s lines, as it clearly screams I’m a drop-top. When the hood is down the German car has a clinical look that is very smart although it cannot hope to replicate the impact the original TT made when it hit the streets. TT sits squat on the road and the ride lives up to the look. The suspension is very well sorted and even comes with a party trick! Audi has fitted active shock absorbers/dampers to the TT with a system called ‘magnetic ride’. When you press a button the suspension stiffens up without becoming harsh and the already flat cornering car corners even better.
Inside the two seat Roadster the cabin is vast compared to the original car especially when the roof is down and the light floods in. Shoulders haven’t a chance of rubbing together, although that can be a bad thing if you’re on a date! The dash and controls are all pure Audi/VW. The boot is shallow but big for a sports car, plus there is a ski hatch that can facilitate up to 1.9 metre lengths.
Audi Ireland expects to sell 250 TTs in 2007, 50 of which will be drop-tops. It hits Ireland next spring and you can order yours from January.
The 2 litre ‘S-Tronic’ (DSG) is the one to go for, it’s a bit special.
Michael Sheridan
