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Audi TT 2.0 TFSI
Traffic Tease
A sports car on an open road is always promising and memorable, so up north Botchi Santos went in an Audi TT
Photographs by Chino "The Don" Acosta
The new Audi TT, the German manufacturer's evolution of the iconic sports coupe, has improved greatly, particularly in the ride-and-handling department, offering more performance, efficiency and practicality. PGA Cars, the official importer and distributor of Audi here, presented us with an opportunity to drive the new TT extensively for a few days. We went up north to Clark for a sneak preview of the still-unfinished Subic-Clark-Tarlac Highway.
Audi is a technology-driven company, a pioneer years before technology became mainstream: Quattro all-wheel drive technology; turbo-charging; fuel stratified gasoline direct injection (FSI); common-rail piezo direct-injection diesel technology (TDI); composite aluminum space frame (ASF) technology; and now the S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission. To date, Le Mans and the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) have been the proving grounds of these new technologies. Real race pedigree in your saloon is always a nice bonus.
The TT is fitted with a 2.0-liter 16-valve twin-cam engine equipped with FSI and turbo-charging technology, allowing it to deliver 200hp and 298Nm of torque and yet meet the upcoming and strict Euro V emissions standard. Audi also boasts of fuel consumption in the 13km/L range. Doesn't seem a whole lot, but trust me, its more than adequate. To stress its adequacy in a variety of applications, this new engine is also fitted to a variety of other Audis, namely, the A3, the A4 DTM Edition and the A6.
Entering the world-class North Luzon Expressway, the new TT, which stands for Tourist Trophy, a famous road race on the Isle of Man in the UK, feels alive. Power delivery is seamless yet aggressive enough, aided by the ingenious transmission. The S-Tronic, like its predecessor known as the DSG or Direct Shift Gearbox, is basically a transmission with two input/output shafts leading to the driven wheels. The odd-numbered gears are placed in one shaft, and the even-numbered gears are placed on the other. There are two respective clutches that always preselect the next higher or lower gear, in essence making the S-Tronic a full sequential gearbox comparable to real race cars. The result is instantaneous, drama-free acceleration with a minimum of chassis pitch. Coupled with the rorty exhaust note, the engine blips automatically should you downshift. On the speed-limited NLEX, cruising at 120kph is draining on your nerves and discipline as the engine and the six-speed transmission devilishly tease you to go faster. Exiting the last toll plaza, hell is unleashed as the TT accelerates vigorously to a shade under 200kph. Nice. But sadly, the road narrows down and we reach our exit.
On winding roads, the TT has aggressive turn-in, thanks to mini-mal rear mass and the four-pot engine being as close and low to the center as possible. Exiting tight corners, the engine has enough torque to spin the inner tire, activating the stability-traction control system briefly and straightening out the TT. The brakes are powerful multi-piston items matched with ventilated front discs and solid rear dics equipped with the latest in ABS-EBD and brake-assist technology. Even with aggressive driving, not once did the electronic nannies trigger, proving that Audi took the time to really hone the TT's fine chassis into shape.
The old TT had to make do with a most humble twist-beam rear axle, unbefitting of such a gorgeous and stylish sports coupe. The new multilink rear arrangement is so much better, allowing for some passive rear steer, helping quell understeer and keep your momentum flowing.
On the high street, people would stop and openly stare at the gorgeous and TT. Sure, inside it's quite cramped even though it is bigger, longer and wider than its predecessor. But it's still tight, like literally being inside a pillbox. Tall drivers will feel the hair on their neck stand up from time to time, not because of a hairy moment (pun intended) but because the headliner feels close—so close to your head and neck.
The sporty Recaro seats, wrapped in leather, keep you in place but the low headroom is a bane for claustrophobic drivers used to the headroom of, say, a Honda Jazz or a Toyota Altis. But the flat-bottomed steering wheel is such a thing of beauty. Flicking through the paddles behind it is reminiscent of being in a real touring car race. The rest of the interior carries the circular steel-aluminum theme, while the A/C vents and the audio system are finished in cool matte black and aluminum. The Bose surround sound system installed on the TT is so clear yet so powerful, full of texture without sounding like a digitized masterpiece. Real music is played clearly, an added bonus for audiophiles who enjoy their music while driving at high speed.
| Audi TT 2.0 TFSI |
| We say: The new TT has big shoes to fill. But based on Audi's excellent execution, the pressure doesn't show. |
Price: P4,250,000
Engine: 2.0 TFSI 16V turbo-charged
Power: 200hp
Torque: 298Nm
Transmission: 6-speed S-Tronic
Layout/Seating: FWD/2+2
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Even with huge 245/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, ride was comfortable as possible thanks to the light and rigid ASF chassis allowing for softer suspension settings without any loss in dynamic performance. Who says sports cars should have jaw-jarring ride characteristics? The TT puts that assumption to rest. The Michelins are perhaps the best tires in their class, giving ample grip, progressive breakaway and decent ride comfort.
I wasn't able to get 13 clicks to the liter, but did manage to achieve 10km per liter. Not bad for such a good-looking, efficient, fun and funky sports coupe.
If the 2.0 TFSI seems lacking, then there's a V6, also with S-Tronic and Quattro all-wheel drive plus Audi's famed Magnetic Ride Active Suspension system and bigger 19-inch wheels and tires.
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Top Gear Philippines - May 2007
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