Coupe champs

Anyone who has an eye for a good investment will probably have an Audi TT TDI on the drive already. The sleek German two-door is not only king of the coupés when it comes to minimising depreciation, but it’s also the top performer across all of our eight new car classes.

Expected to hang on to an incredible 70.8 per cent of its value after three years and 30,000 miles, the diesel-powered TT bucks the trend for new models. Having spent £26,525 to buy their factory-fresh Audi, in three years’ time owners can expect the car to be worth a healthy £18,780. That’s an annual depreciation cost of £2,582 – or less than 26 pence per mile.

So, what is it that makes this particular TT such a sound investment? Well, the key to avoiding depreciation is long-term desirability. And while the more powerful TT S and TT RS undeniably provide high-octane thrills for new car buyers with deep pockets, second-hand customers are much more cost-conscious. On the used market, mpg takes precedence over mph… As a result, the ultra-frugal 2.0-litre diesel powerplant under the bonnet of the TT TDI meets with the requirements of a larger number of buyers – so demand is expected to be greater and prices should remain higher.

And it’s not as though these TT owners have to put up with a miserable driving experience, either. Thanks to 168bhp and a punchy 350Nm of torque, the oil-burner offers effortless pace to match its sleek, racy shape. The sprint from 0-62mph is completed in 7.5 seconds, yet combined fuel economy is a cost-conscious 53.3mpg. It’s that winning mixture of performance, frugality and desirability which makes the TT TDI the motoring equivalent of an ISA…

TOP 5 COUPE CHAMPS
1. Audi TT - TDI quattro - 70.8 per cent
2. Nissan GT-R - GT-R - 61.3 per cent
3. Mercedes CLC - 200 CDI - 57.6 per cent
4. VW Scirocco - 2.0 TDI - 56.0 per cent
5. BMW 1-Series Coupé - 118d Coupé - 53.3 per cent

TOP BUY: Audi TT TDI quattro

Sector: Coupé

Price: £26,525

Residual after 3yrs/30,000 miles: £18,780/70.8 per cent

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 168bhp

Economy/CO2: 53.3mpg/139g/km