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CAP Blog > CAP Blog > Martin's Blog
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May
27
Written by:
Martin Ward
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Audi TT has been on the market since 1998, with a new model launched in 2006 and even after 11 years, still new models and variants are being added. The latest is the quickest and most expensive TT ever built.
 We flew from Stansted to Cologne to pick up the cars then drove 220km through Germany, briefly touching Holland and then into Belgium. We did not use the direct route; we went up into the hills in the west of Germany where we tried the TT RS on some fairly demanding roads. It was as competent on these hills as it was on the de-restricted parts of the autobahn. It felt solid and safe in any condition but did not give the feeling of being an exhilarating drive; it drove like a super fast sports car but without the excitement or drama. It is an Audi and drives like an Audi; there’s nothing dramatic and it is just perfect in every way.
 We finally ended up at the Zolder circuit in Belgium. It was built in the mid 1960’s and was used to hold the Belgium Grand Prix between 1973 until 1984, when it was then transferred to Spa. It is around 4km long and in a good state of repair, with some tight corners and a long straight. We had to put on crash helmets just in case but on the track the TT RS turns into a different car after driving it sensibly on the roads of Germany, Holland and Belgium. After just a couple of times around the track you begin to feel ultra-confident and it makes you feel like a truly competent racing driver, which of course I am not. The handling, braking and steering have been designed to give you the ultimate car for going fairly quick around a circuit or for driving casually at low speeds around town. Exactly how fast I was going on the circuit I am not sure as there was not enough time to check the speedometer but it was a lot of fun. It felt very safe as the car felt so solid on the track; you really felt as though you could throw it into any corner at any speed and it would sit there without getting you into any danger. The traction control systems would also get you out of any trouble.
 The TT RS is powered by a 2.5 litre TFSI 5 cylinder petrol engine that produces 340ps, goes from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph. However, the governor can be removed at a cost, raising the top speed to 174mph; the cars we tested were de-restricted. Stephan Reil who is the head of technical at Audi AG told me that the 5 cylinder engine uses the same basic architecture as the Volkswagen Jetta sold in North America so it is well tried and tested. Audi then take the basic engine block and use their own parts to create this monster of an engine. It is not the first time Audi has used a 5 cylinder engine, as they were fitted to the rally bred quattro models in the 1980’s and were then put into road cars.
 Audi quote the official fuel combined consumption figure of 30.7 mpg. However, at high speeds on the Autobahn it was nearer to 20mpg, which is understandable. The 2.5 litre engine is coupled to a 6 speed manual gearbox which powers Audi’s quattro 4WD system. Audi say a DSG automatic gearbox will not be available on the RS for some time and some at the event said it will probably never be fitted. The exhaust note is quite pronounced and unusual as it has a throaty roar in the normal setting but when the sport switch is pressed it diverts the exhaust gas from the right hand exhaust pipe to both by opening a flap on the left hand exhaust pipe, giving it an even louder and deeper exhaust sound. This switch also adjusts suspension and throttle settings. The TT RS is 10mm lower than the standard car and has a fixed large rear spoiler that increases downforce at the rear to make it feel more stable. It also has a rear diffuser which adds to downforce. Both the Coupe and Roadster will be available in the RS version from launch next month, with prices for the Coupe starting at £42,985 on the road and £44,885 on the road for the Roadster.
 The TT RS is comfortable and will be ultra-reliable. It is quick, refined, has a fantastic exhaust note and proved to have brilliant handling. It is just as good to drive around town due to it being surprisingly quite docile and easy to drive. It is as practical as a sports car gets and is competent in all conditions. For those who want a raw sports car that may be difficult and exhilarating to drive, then the TT RS is not for them.
After the track drive it was back to Cologne in the pouring rain where yet again Audi proved that this high powered car was very capable on the slippery surfaces of the local roads. It performed every bit as well in the wet as it did in the dry.
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