2015 Audi TTS Review
Is ‘S’ the missing ingredient that Shahzad craved from the new Audi TT?
By Shahzad Sheikh
I drove the all-new 2015 Audi TT back in March this year – read that review here – and concluded that it was a spectacular new iteration of the popular two-door from Audi, but lacked something to truly to appeal to the driver who wants an actual sportscar.
Watch my video review by clicking below
Enter the TTS – 310bhp versus the regular car’s 230bhp & 280lb ft compared to 273lb ft. It’s considerably heavier but still manages to be seven-tenths of a second quicker to 100kph from standstill.
But numbers don’t reveal the feel. With Quattro all-wheel grip and the quick-witted six-speed dual clutch transmission the increase power and torque are deployed in a more punchy and effective manner, bringing more urgency and keen performance to exploit the tenacious grip and superb poise.
Suddenly the car appears to have the poke that its swept-back curves suggest. In full dynamic mode even the steering seems to respond better – but aside from the speed and ability, there is something else: a zesty enthusiasm for driving hard.
Aside from that of course, as you may have read in my TT review, this is a handsome and good-looking machine that seems to more closely pay tribute to the original TT than the last gen. Inside, I miss the cross bar on the passenger side, but it’s still stylish and very clean with an efficiency of instrumentation and switchgear absent on most rival cars.
For example the air conditioning controls are very neatly integrated into the triple air vents, the TT eschews a central display screen in favour of incorporating everything into the main driver’s instrument panel.
I mentioned before that this was a little confusing, but over a longer period of time I got used to it, though some of the passengers did complain at not being able to see the entertainment and aircon screens.
Talking of passengers, there are two rear seats, and I did managed for one journey to squeeze my family of four into it, but there were so many moans and groans, that it was concluded it could only be used as a four-seater under emergency circumstances! Treat it as a rear parcel shelf or for very small children. Cargo space is usable though, and it not entirely an impractical sportscar as the genre goes.
Overall the TTS is the car I wanted the TT to be. It’s a more enticing and ultimately satisfying product, combining smooth and sensible daily transport with a fiercer more hard-charging persona when the time calls.
I still can’t help but think that there is something more though. Something else, to further unlock the potential of the excellent new TT. So I’m holding out to try the forthcoming 380bhp TT RS that should be unleashed by Ingolstadt soon, before I deliver my final verdict on the new TT range.
2015 Audi TTS Review – The Specs
Price: AED245,000 (US$67k)
Engine: 2-litre four-cylinder 310bhp @ 5800rpm, 280lb ft @ 1800rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 4.6secs, 250kph, 6.9L/100km
Transmission: 6-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Weight: 1385kg
Does this TT get you all excited and revved up? Tell us below!
