Two new sports models from Audi

Audi's S3 and TT Roadster have both been available in Australia previously, but those were older models. The latest S3 is based on the Type 5 platform shared with the Volkswagen Golf and Audi's own A3.

This same platform also underpins the current TT, which is now available as a 'Roadster' variant -- a soft-top sports car, in other words.

Some will argue that the TT wears Audi's 'Auto Union' corporate style better than any other model in the range -- and does so without ditching the earlier model's bespoke styling cues. 

The Roadster looks better still.

Prices for the TT Roadster (more here) start from $77,500 for the entry level car with the 2.0 TFSI engine. Fitted with the 3.2-litre V6, the TT Roadster's price rises to $92,900.

For the money, the purchaser gets the automatic rear spoiler which rises from the rear of the car to provide additional downforce at speeds above 120km/h and the powered folding roof which can open or close within 12 seconds.

The roof folds in a unique manner (named 'Z-fold' by Audi) with the front of the roof providing its own tonneau in the lowered state.

For any drop-top car, torsional rigidity and weight are conflicting design factors. Audi has skirted around this by harnessing the space-frame structure of the TT coupe for use in the Roadster models.

Allied to the space-frame construction, exterior panels are an amalgam of aluminium (58 per cent) and steel (42 per cent) for further weight reduction and torsional rigidity gains.

Through this type of construction, the company has reduced the weight of the TT Roadster to just 1295kg for the four-cylinder model.

Not only does the new car's construction lower the kerb mass for improved performance and fuel efficiency, it also enhances the vehicle's dynamics. Audi claims the new car offers 120 per cent greater static torsional rigidity, leading to better handling, roadholding and braking.

The entry level engine is a turbocharged direct-injection petrol four-cylinder that develops 147kW of power and 280Nm of torque. Peak torque is available from 1800 to 5000rpm -- less a peak, much more a plateau. This engine drives through a six-speed 'S tronic' transmission with dual clutches, Volkswagen's patented DSG system. 

The 184kW V6 is a narrow bank angle design for compact applications. This engine propels the TT Roadster to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds and reaches a governed speed of 250km/h. By comparison, the four-cylinder TT will hit 100km/h in 6.5 seconds and get to 237km/h.

As for the earlier model, the TT Roadster is front-wheel drive fitted with the four-cylinder engine or 'quattro' (drives through all four wheels) when the V6 is specified.

The quattro drivetrain is the only type available with the new S3 (more here). Fitted with the same 2.0 TFSI as the base TT Roadster, the S3's higher state of tune means peak power of 188kW and resulting performance figures closer to the volumetrically larger V6 TT Roadster. Audi has timed the S3 at 5.9 seconds to 100km/h from a standing start and, as for the V6 Roadster, the S3 is electronically limited to 250km/h for its top speed.

All that power is transmitted by a six-speed manual gearbox and torque is adjusted automatically from front to rear by an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch at the rear. Its proximity to the rear axle helps the vehicle's weight distribution.

Sales forecast for the new cars are 100 units per annum of the S3 and 150 units of the TT Roadster, of which 70 per cent are expected to be the 2.0 TFSI variant.

The S3 is priced at $65,500 and might just attract customers who have previously bought the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo or Subaru WRX STi.

Keep an eye out in coming days for Carsales Network's full report on the S3 and TT Roadster.

To comment on this article click here