New Audi TT Roadster road test

The onwards march for record sales by Audi continues relentlessly in the UK driven by the addition of new models. In 1996 Audi had just six model ranges, in 2006 it had 23 and in another eight years it will have 40.

Last year was the seventh consecutive record year for UK sales with 87,000 vehicles sold, and that total, say Audi, was restricted by supply. This year Audi expect to sell 90,000 vehicles in the UK and 100,000 in 2008.

In January this year pent up demand, left over from 2006, meant that Audi sold more new cars in the UK than BMW and Mercedes put together. Worldwide Audi sales currently stand at 900,000 but by 2015 this will have increased to 1.5 million, mainly driven by the addition of new models in new sectors.

Last year Audi introduced 10 new models, this year it will be eight. The first three newcomers in 2007 are the TT Roadster, the R8 sports car and the A5 compact sports coupe to make its debut at the Geneva show next week.

In March Audi dealerships will start taking delivery of the new two-seat Audi TT Roadster models ready for April supply to customers. The 2+2 seater TT Coupe was launched in the UK last year and Audi expects to sell 8,000 TT models in the UK this year of which around 2,500 will be for the soft-top Roadster. The UK is the largest market in the world for the TT Roadster sales.

The all new TT Roadster replaces the iconic model which first went on sale in the UK in 2000. It is available in two forms, a 2.0-litre T FSI front wheel drive priced at £26,915 and a 3.2-litre quattro version priced at £31,535. Six speed manual and six speed S-tronic transmissions are available for both models.

Audi expects marginally more customers to opt for the manual transmission, with 60 per cent of sales being for the 2.0-litre model, Audi also thinks 60 per cent of buyers will be male and 55 per cent will be under 40 years of age.

Like its Coupe counterpart, the new TT Roadster uses a hybrid Audi Space Frame (ASF) body shell blending 58 per cent aluminium and 42 per cent steel to minimise weight and, maximise performance and handling. Potential. Thanks to the highly sophisticated new bodyshell shell the 2.0-litre four-cylinder version weighs just 1,295kg unladen, and body rigidity has increased by 120 per cent.

To avoid negating the weight saving made possible by the aluminium and steel combination body construction, the new TT Roadster retains a cloth hood which is electro-hydraulically powered in both versions. A powered mesh wind deflector is also fitted as standard to UK TT Roadster models to streamline airflow through the cabin and minimise buffeting.

Incorporating a heated glass rear window, the new soft top is both lighter than before through the use of a new steel and aluminium support framework, and even more insulating thanks to an additional layer of soundproofing.

Operation is now completely ‘hands-free’, with no need to attach or detach the hood to or from the windscreen rail, and the full opening or closing process takes place in just 12 seconds, and can be carried out at speeds of up to 19mph.

The soft top also stows even more neatly and space efficiently than before thanks to a new Z-fold system which stacks the rigid front section of the roof on top of the cloth to form a cover that sits flush with the body and eliminates the need for a tonneau cover.

The new generation TT Roadster is powered by either the 2.0-litre Turbo FSI petrol engine with 200PS and 280Nm of torque or the 3.2-litre V6 petrol unit with 250PS and 320Nm. The S-tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission, also known as DSG, is available as an option costing £1,400.

The latest Roadster has a new suspension configuration incorporating a multi-link set-up at the rear for optimum composure at speed. Helped by its wider track, a new electromechanical speed-sensitive steering and a new high performance braking system, the advanced chassis permits dramatic improvements in the TT Roadster’s handling and overall agility combined with noticeable gains in ride comfort.

An advanced magnetic ride system is also available as a £1,150 optional extra for both TT Roadster models. The system’s sophisticated dampers are filled with a magnetorheological fluid containing minute magnetic particles that can be influenced by an electromagnetic field.

By applying a voltage to the system’s electromagnets, the viscosity of the fluid is altered by the affected magnetic particles, increasing resistance to damper movement to iron out pitch and roll when necessary, and reducing resistance when ride comfort takes precedence.

Stability at speed is also enhanced by an electrically powered rear spoiler which helps to increase down force on the rear of the TT Roadster, and retracts to sit flush with the body when not required.

As was the case with the original TT Roadster, the list of standard equipment for both versions is comprehensive. It includes powered roof and wind deflector operation, sports seats with leather and Alcantara mix upholstery for 2.0 TFSI versions, or full leather for the V6 variant.

Both models have electronic climate control, a new generation MP3-compatible audio system with single CD player, an RS 4-style flat-bottomed leather-rimmed steering wheel and a Driver’s Information System (DIS).

In addition to full leather upholstery, V6 versions add front seat heating, an enhanced braking system, an exterior light styling pack and quattro four-wheel-drive. Alloy wheels are 17-inch Trapez design in the 2.0 TFSI or 18-inch 10-spoke design for the V6 variant.

At last week’s UK media press launch only the 3.2-litre quattro model was available as the 2.0-litre version is still being produced. That was a shame because, as with the new TT Coupe, I firmly believe the lighter front wheel drive model will be better.

That isn’t to say that the 3.2-litre model isn’t good - it is excellent. Just that with the extra weight of the four wheel drive system and not appreciably more power or torque the front wheel drive version is lighter, more nimble and costs less.

The styling and build quality is impeccable and the only drawback is that the TT Roadster is only a two-seater, unlike the TT Coupe which is a 2+2. Although the Roadster has a cloth cap for a roof it is so well insulated you hardly notice it isn’t metal. The benefit of course is that being a material roof it needs less boot space when stowed so you can really carry enough luggage within reason for two people, up to 250 litres of space.

The electrically operated roof up and down mechanism is quiet and very quick and can be done on the move if needed. With the hood down, windows up and the rear wind deflector in place, wind intrusion was very low although being tall I needed to sit as low as possible in the seat so has not to get my hair-free zone ruffled.

The big V6 engine is strong and pulls easily from very low engine revs. The quattro drive system gives ample grip in wet or dry fast cornering conditions but it does dull the performance, if 0-62mph in six seconds can be called dull. Top speed is limited to 155mph. Fuel economy is 27mpg with CO2 emissions of 250g/km.

For the record the 2.0-litre turbo engine has a top speed of 147mph and 0-62mph is covered in 6.5 seconds and at 36.2mpg and 186g/km of CO2 it is more fuel efficient as well so you can see my reason for suggesting the smaller engine is best overall.

As far as handling goes the test car was fitted with Audi’s magnetic ride which I would recommend because it just sharpens up the handling no matter how many changes in road surfaces you come across but not at the expense of ride comfort. The bodyshell is immensely stiff and rigid with not the slightest hint of shake, hood up or hood down.

Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro, manual

Price: £31,535

Engine: 3.2-litre, V6 petrol, normally aspirated, 250PS, 320Nm at 3000rpm

Performance: 155mph (limited), 0-62mph 6.1 seconds, 27.2mpg (28.5mpg actual), CO2 250g/km

VED: Band G £210.

For: Style, iconic design, strength, build quality, good hood operation, sporty but comfortable drive, 2.0-litre T FSI model is the best buy, class leading residual values.

Against: Headroom a bit tight for tall drivers, limited rear quarter visibility with the hood up, only two seats (try the VW EOS 2+2 coupe/cabriolet with the same engines).