Audi TT 1.8T FSI

Less is more with the new entry-level TT. Even though it packs only 158bhp, its 7.4-second 0-60mph time should be plenty to keep most buyers entertained. And 40mpg-plus economy means it will be as easy on the wallet as it is on the eye. The Audi is generously equipped, and undercuts the next most expensive TT by £3,445 – not to mention the cheapest Z4 by £4,740.

It's the TT that proves power isn’t everything! Slotting into the line-up below the 2.0 TFSI model, Audi’s 1.8 TFSI Roadster is the new entry point for the range. It has half the muscle and costs half the price of the TT RS flagship – but is it half the car?

Available exclusively in standard trim, it’s the most basic TT you can buy. Yet it doesn’t feel short of kit. It has an electric hood – which drops in 12 seconds and operates at speeds of up to 19mph – an electric pop-up wind deflector, 17-inch wheels and climate control. Add our car’s £980 optional Alcantara sport seats, and you’d be hard-pressed to tell it from higher-spec models.

Even though it has 40bhp less power than the 2.0 TFSI, it feels lively once the revs rise. The six-speed box’s satisfying action remains, which makes for huge amounts of fun.

The other benefit of the downsized engine is economy of 40.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 159g/km – not bad for a turbocharged petrol roadster with a 139mph top speed!

So while it’s the cheapest TT, it’s still tempting. A blend of first-rate efficiency, a bargain price and ample performance makes this one of the most attractive packages in the range.