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SPACE WAGON’S DEN

There’s no doubt that the new Audi TT with its space-frame technology, Quattro four wheel drive and storming power-to-weight ratio is being aimed at young money.

Here in Britain the teenage tycoon trend is sweeping the nation and with these dynamic young guns contributing to self-employment rate, last year it hit all time high of 4.3 million. That’s a lot of self-confessed dreamers that somehow somewhere had an ounce of sense filtered through to them amongst the amphetamines, top-shelve magazines and seriously weird computer games that they boycotted the daylight for whilst at Uni.

According to Barclays, the amount of graduate entrepreneurs increased by a quarter last year. But far from being the products of their lurid student pasts; living life by a shoelace and having a penny for their supper, these charming blaggers are now the savvy new generation. The type that learn the ropes in the market place, pay off their debts and then launch a water tight business, all guns blazing.

There`s plenty of young money in the finacial field too. In fact this Christmas a quarter of bankers in London are expecting double the bonus they got last year which is thought to amount to tens of millions in some cases. Sounds like Stringfellows, Park Tower Lane Casino and restaurants like the Ivy will be reaping the benefits of their lavish spending sprees. Of course driving a flash car is up there among the top five agendas of young successful people and Audi reckon they’ve got just the toy to provoke the latest consumerist explosion.
But can the Audi TT really cut it not just for the chic Soho Steves but also for the scrutinizing Banker Bobs? Sure all men fancy a voluptuous type but when it comes to cars they tend to look a lot more skin deep. Make a car too pretty and the hairdressers will come flocking but give it an agressive edge and you`ll attract the more macho types as well. That said despite the predecessor edging more on the flouncy side, 48,000 of the beauties sold in the UK since its launch. This also proves that it wasn`t just a pretty face, it also had enough driving zeal to keep its owners amused.

So why alter it – if flouncy but fun works, why do we need a car with an optional magnetic suspension and a tail that actually feels attached to the rest of the car even when you’re hairing it out of a bend? (As if we would). Why go to the effort of designing a nifty rear spoiler that pops up when things start getting interesting and having a DSG gearbox that synchronises perfectly to the notes of the engine? Crikey, Audi you’ve really turned things around with this sweet little number – this is a machine that you really believe knows every bit of tarmac beneath it, manipulating it with the utmost charm and involving us in this intriguing two-way play.

Based on the platform of the new Golf, its chassis feels both supple and taut. There’s no bottling out mid-way through a turn or excitable nerves that beg you to ease off; just firm, progressive movements that capitalize on its 4WD capabilities and refined performance. The 3.2-litre Quattro is the flagship with the brute, producing 250PS and launching itself to 62mph from standstill in 5.7 seconds but the 2.0-litre is the one to buy if you still want some practicality. The latter still has the punch behind it but fuel-economy-wise it’s more thrifty with the pennies.
When you look at the image of the new TT, it is much more in-keeping with the rest of the brands. Yes, it’s still a bit edgy and instantly eye-catching but in a less twee kind of way. Its now more honed and chiselled, longer and lower.

To give it the strength of steel and still the optimum light weight that aluminium offers, Audi has forged the two to form a hybrid bi-metal space frame. The steel is mainly confined to the rear of the car and careful attention has been employed to distribute the weight evenly so the car points the way you direct it. This is all down to the more advanced and adaptive dampers which contain tiny iron particles within the oil, these are sensitive to a magnetic field and can turn more viscose within five milliseconds. Each wheel can be controlled separately according to the road conditions and your own driving style. The same technology is used in the latest Ferrari 599 GTB which of course needs lightning quick reaction times as well as tireless compliancy.

So is the TT a sports car through and through or are there any glitches that let it down? On first impressions Audi really has covered all the particulars. Sitting behind the wheel you feel well cocooned in this solidly built car, there’s plenty of kit and the general design and lay-out of the cock-pit has an executive flair about it. Perhaps a little too executive for a fun coupe though, borrowing some sporty design cues from VW would certainly add to the thrill of ownership. It does also beg you to wonder what possessed Audi to put rear seats in the back; this is a motor for successful charismatic-types not a hot-hatch that needs the bum space for in-laws. At least it gives you the option though should your lifestyle suddenly take a turn.

On the whole though, the focus is all about the thrill of driving and the carefree lifestyle we never want to grow out of. With plenty of technology and exceptional handling to back up its good looks its out to attract the real enthusiasts not just those with shallow hearts and deep pockets.

Verdict

FOR: The graceful and consistent rhythm it employs as you’re cruising along, it just feels so at ease with itself as it effortlessly adapts to the road ahead. The new TT really is as tantalising to look at as it is to handle, it’s a car with real character and a solid feel, punchy performance and quality trim.
AGAINST: The new TT has a lot of feeling but the trim does not compliment its sporty credentials. The Sat Nav could also be a bit more up market.
CONCLUSION: How easy can handing over your money in a showroom be? Its one of those have to have toys. The TT`s projected residual values are strong and due to its quality build and advanced engineering you really get what you pay for. Above all it is lively and ultra-smooth and its new image is streets ahead of its predecessor. The new TT screams status and panache.

Spec

ENGINE: Inline four cylinder spark-ignition with petrol direct injection, exhaust turbocharger with intercooler, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
POWER: 200PS @ 5100 - 6000rpm
TORQUE (lb/ft): 280Nm @ 1800 -5000rpm
0-62mph (sec): 6.4
TOP SPEED: 149mph
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox S tronic with electro-hydraulic control
SUSPENSION: Front: Macpherson struts with aluminium lower wishbones, aluminium piviot bearings, aluminium subframe, anti roll bar, track-stabilising steering roll radius Rear: four-link suspension with separate spring/shock absorber arrangement, subframe, tubular ant
BRAKES: Dual circuit brake system with diagnal split, ESP, hydraulic brake assist, disc brakes ventilated at the front, solid at rear brake system: 16″/16″; brake diameter front/rear: 312/286
WHEELS: Weight-optimised aluminium 7.5JX16, offset
TYRES: 45; 225/55
WEIGHT: 1260kg (min kerb weight)
PRICE: £24,635
RIVALS: BMW Z4 Coupe, Mercedes-Benz SLK 200, Porsche Boxster, Mazda RX8