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Audi TT

Audi TT Roadster 3.2 quattro

The V6 TT is a sound year-round proposition with a superb soundtrack

Text: Ross Pinnock / Photos: Matt Vosper

December 2006

When it comes to style, the new Audi TT Roadster has it all. Auto Express has already been impressed by the 2.0-litre turbo (Issue 939), but now we’ve tried the flagship V6 quattro to see if it adds even more substance to those drop-top looks.
 
The 250-litre boot has a large opening, so buying a TT won’t consign you to a lifetime of travelling light.

With an extra 53bhp and four-wheel drive as standard, the V6 sprints from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds, compared to 6.7 seconds in the entry-level machine. Go for the twin-clutch S tronic gearbox fitted to our test car (a £1,400 option), and it’s two-tenths of a second quicker still, thanks to lower gearing.

In reality, though, it’s the distinctive V6 soundtrack that sets this TT apart from the 2.0-litre car – although you need to lose the insulating drop-top to get the maximum benefit.

Retracting the fully automated hood couldn’t be simpler – all you have to do is press a button on the centre console, and the fabric lid stows in only 12 seconds. There’s also a neat wind deflector to cut draughts. The electrically operated mesh design pops up from behind the seats at the flick of a switch, and does a fine job.

Dropping the lid doesn’t restrict the luggage space, either, and the 250-litre boot has a large opening, so buying a TT won’t consign you to a lifetime of travelling light. There’s even the option of a load-through hatch to the cabin – this allows items as long as 1.9 metres long to be carried securely inside. Raise the hood and the torquey V6 makes an excellent long-distance companion. Admittedly, over-the-shoulder visibility is restricted, but because none of the mechanism is exposed to view, from the inside the hood feels like a conventional metal roof.

However, the 3.2-litre version isn’t as sharp to drive as the 2.0-litre car – you can thank the extra 175kg it has to lug around. And despite the additional power, the flagship rarely feels as fast as the figures suggest.

So it’s a case of less is more with the TT Roadster, and at £28,185 the agile 2.0-litre turbo represents better value for money. However, if you want greater traction, power and refinement, the drop-top’s excellent residual values ensure the range-topping machine is still an attractive proposition.

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FIRST OPINION

    The new TT Roadster is a worthy successor to the original. Its lightweight construction, slick S tronic box, 4WD drivetrain and magnetic dampers give a unique driving experience. The V6 TT is a sound year-round proposition, but the cheaper 2.0 turbo is the pick of the range.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Specify automatically adjusting magnetic dampers and you get terrific ride and handling capability, plus grey-painted brake calipers. But the hi-tech kit is a pricey option, at £1,100.
    Engine: 3.2-litre V6, 247bhp
    0-62mph: 6.1 seconds
    Price: £31,535
     
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