Audi TT Roadster
MAJOR part of driving a
convertible is the pose factor.
Even with the hood up
they tell the world that they
possess great optimism -
the sun may just come out.
Hood down, they are in-your-face
pose-mobiles, male peacocks, fantails
rippling as they strut across the lawn.
This pretty much applies right across
the board, regardless of the price tag,
but Audi's TT Roadster is among the
best when it comes to crowing.
TT Coupe is eye-catching enough;
soft top is simply stunning roof up,
down, and, in particular, somewhere in
between.
Up, it looks fantastic. The canvas
hood blending in perfectly with the
sleek lines.
Down, the TT takes on unrivalled
beauty as the roof stows neatly behind
the seats.
I also liked in between. Most convertibles
require the car to be stationary
to lower or raise the roof. Some insist
that it is in park' or the handbrake
is on before the mechanism will operate.
Not so the Audi. So strong is the roof
construction that it will happily rise
and fall while on the road, which is fabulous
for showing off as you drive
through town and handy if threatening
rain clouds start to spit your way.
It is an arrangement that is so easy
to use it actually encourages you to
have the top down even on days when
the weather is just average and the sun
isn't out in full force.
The great appeal here is that you get
some of the best country smells on
such days which you would normally
miss out on.
Roof aside - or in place - the TT is as
great to drive as its tin-topped twin.
The test car came with the rorty 250bhp
3.2 litre V6 Quattro complete with automatic
gearbox and paddle shift.
It's fine but for me it's not as challenging
or exhilarating to drive as the
200bhp turbo-charged version that
comes in standard two-wheel drive
form, but then I'm obsessed with turbos
and their unique power delivery.
V6 power is more linear and there's
plenty of it, while grip is typically
Quattro-tenacious, allowing greater
speed to be carried through bends.
The new box is supposed to be even
better than the DSG it replaces, not
that I could tell the difference as the
changes retained their F1 speed and
smoothness.
Ride is amazingly compliant but the
body feels extremely taut, there's no
scuttle shake or any drop in handling
prowess over the coupe.
The interior is TT all over. Seats are
body hugging, the dash and cockpit
beautifully designed and made and the
flat-bottomed steering wheel a joy to
grip.
Practically speaking, the TT shines
too. The boot is decently proportioned
and there are useful storage areas dotted
around the cabin and cup-holders.
The sound system is excellent and it
doesn't have to overcome much in the
way of background noise, thanks to a
well-lined roof.
TT Roadster is a delightful car to be
in any time of the year. It takes posing
to another level but has all the driving
dynamics to back up the looks.
11:03am Thursday 3rd May 2007
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