Audi TT Roadster 3.2 Quattro S Tronic

2:22pm Friday 25th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

IF I had ten pence for every time I've heard the phrase "that's a hairdresser's car" this week I'd have ... about £3.50.

Well, let me make it clear from the outset - this particular TT is no crimper's coupe.

If I'd been driving a TT a little further down the food chain, fair enough, but not this 3.2 litre V6 fire-spitter.

With a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 155mph, it is likely to scare the spandex pants off most, if not all, the scissor twiddlers I have ever encountered.

Maybe I am trying a little too hard to dispel the myth, but I genuinely believe that it is possible to drive a TT with the roof down and not look like a complete twonk.

Admittedly, from an aesthetic point of view, I prefer the look of its coupe brother, but the roadster is certainly no ugly duckling.

It has a macho stance, its fat alloys making it appear almost as if it is grabbing on to the Tarmac.

The rounded hind quarters add to the initial impression of strength. It looks like it is carved out of granite, especially in ubiquitous silver.

Even with the roof down, it doesn't lose any of its masculinity.

Step inside and you are sucked into the seats, in the same way that I imagine a pilot is in the cockpit of a fighter plane.

You sit very low down and steer with a squared-off wheel.

The dials are completely functional, there's nothing you don't need, nothing is there for show, it is all for go.

This particular model is fitted with the S-tronic paddle shift semi-automatic gearbox, allowing you to change up and down the six gears with the simple flick of a finger.

Getting to that point obviously means firing up the engine. It's a memorable experience, turning the key leading to a low burble that develops into a crack from the twin exhausts.

Punch the accelerator and you are pinned back in your seat, but, unlike some fast cars, you are not then thrown forward and back as it works its ways up through the box, no this is altogether smoother.

Roof up, or down - and that can be achieved in a matter of seconds - there is little difference in the car's handling capabilities.

It remains sure-footed and you long for the bends to appear on the horizon so you can steer it into them.

Come off the accelerator, turn in and then full throttle out, the four-wheel drive system meaning you are never fighting for grip.

Fuel consumption is as you might expect with the car of this nature, on the high side, but although you can see the dial move if you watch closely enough, it is not as inefficient as some others I have tested.

All in all, this TT is clearly designed to be a drivers car - just don't buy it if you run a salon.

A hairdresser's car? No way, but one thing's for sure this TT is certainly a cut above.

SPECIFICATION

Engine: 3.2 litre V6
Max power: 247bhp
Max torque: 236lb/ft
Max speed: 155mph
0-60mph: 6.1 secs
Average fuel consumption: 27.2
Equipment (includes): Alloys; air conditioning; CD multi-changer; heated seats; satellite navigation system; heated leather seats; bluetooth capability; airbags; esp.