Audi TT Roadster 2007 Review

Launched: Audi TT Roadster

Something doesn't add up here. We're sitting on 145km/h on an Italian autostrada and Audi's new TT Roadster is soaking up the expansion joints with a series of muffled thumps.

Yesterday, however, the same expansion joints thundered through the superstructure of Audi's A5. And, remember, the A5 is meant to be the four-seat gran turismo, while the open-topped TT (available in either 2.0-litre TFSI or 3.2-litre V6 quattro guise) is, theoretically at least, one of Audi's more sporting models.

The pleasant surprises continued away from the autostrada and on the twisty backroads around Verona. Where the A5 was crashy over bumps and potholes, the TT Roadster delivers genuine compliance. And yet the Roadster offers enough body control to encourage and reward fast cornering.

Admittedly, the steering's not lightning fast, nor loaded with feel, but the front end tracks faithfully and there's grip aplenty from either the 3.2-litre quattro or the 2.0-litre TFSI front-driver.

Later, on a derestricted German autobahn, the TT V6 remained rock steady at an indicated 230km/h, and happily negotiated sweepers at 200km/h.

The only caveat to this rare praise for an Audi's ride and handling lies with the setting of the Magnetic Ride Control dampers (the same technology found in HSV's premium models).

Left in normal mode they were a near-perfect match for the combination of roads we tested on, but switched into the firmer, sportier mode, the ride quickly deteriorated with too much choppy vertical movement.

Over bumps or loaded up through corners, the body structure remained impressively free from rack rattle or scuttle shake. There was the odd groan from interior surfaces rubbing together and, if you paid close attention, you could detect some movement in the windscreen.

Overall, though, Audi's done a cracking job with maintaining structural rigidity and delivering a surprisingly compliant ride. And, despite the added bracing needed to fight chassis flex, the TT Roadster has not stacked on the kilos.

The entry-level 2.0-litre S-Tronic (Audi's version of DSG) model weighs in at 1315kg - up 10kg over an S-Tronic-equipped 2.0- litre Coupe - while the Roadster quattro puts on 60kg over the Coupe for a 1490kg weighbridge ticket.

Thanks to the 175kg weight difference between the 184kW 3.2-litre quattro and the 147kW 2.0-litre, the power-to-weight ratios and outright performance claims are not that far apart. The quattro thumps 124kW per tonne and sprints to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the 2.0- litre front-driver TFSI offers up 112kW/ tonne and hits 0-100km/h in 6.5sec.

On the road, however, the V6 presses home its advantage with easier, creamier power. There's always punch on tap to hurl you from a tight corner, or around a slower car. And with the roof down, the V6 emits a demonic howl once the tacho needle breaches 5000rpm.

Of course, this doesn't mean the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-potter is without its charms. It's a proven engine and, in the TT Roadster, is actually hauling less weight than the Volkswagen Golf GTI, so it never feels underdone.

While the TT quattro we sampled was a six-speed manual, Audi Australia is looking to only import S-Tronic versions of the 2.0-litre and V6. Dealer demand may dictate a manual version of the 2.0-litre - as it would be around $4K cheaper - but, like the Coupe, expect the $92,900 V6 to remain S-Tronic only.

Once rolling, the S-Tronic offers fast and smooth shifts up and down its six ratios, but the throttle tip-in from rest is a little too eager. And in the turbocharged 2.0-litre TSFI it can be a bit all or nothing.

Not much happens without a firmish prod of the throttle pedal, and then all 147kW and 280Nm seems to arrive in an instant. On the plus side, downshifts in the 2.0-litre are accompanied by an addictive bark and burble from the exhaust.

At speeds of up to 80km/h, wind intrusion with the roof down is minimal - it's possible to have a conversation without it spiralling into a shouting match. Over 100km/h, however, taller drivers may need to slink a bit lower in the seat to keep your head out of the slip stream. Overall refinement, like the ride quality, was a nice surprise.

Audi Australia reckons on selling a minimum of 150 TT Roadsters per year, compared to 250 of the hard-riding TT Coupe. Not surprisingly, the $77,500 2.0-litre TFSI model is expected to account for 70 percent of sales.

ALFRESCO AUDI
Scuttle shake is almost none-existent - in fact, the only evidence of any loss of rigidity is the occasional trim rattle and minor deflections of the windscreen. No manual transmission option for Oz Roadsters.

Both 2.0-litre TSFI and 3.2 quattro will get six-speed S-Tronic 'boxes, Audi's very own version of DSG. Magnetic Ride Control system will be standard on both models. Its firmest setting is still too harsh, but normal mode is plush by Audi's usual levels.

PUT IT AWAY
Cutting the roof off the TT hasn't made it any less liveable. True, the folding roof takes up the Coupe's tiny back seats and 40 litres of boot space (down to 250 litres), but the practical shape allows plenty of storage. For our drive, it swallowed two hard Samsonite cases, plus a laptop and two soft bags.

There is also lockable storage behind the seats and a ski port. The fabric lid opens and closes in just 12 seconds and operates at speeds up to 50km/h.