Tremendously Talented
The sprint from 0-100 km/h takes six seconds and the TT lunges forward but somehow manages to make the experience not so ballistic. It’s still quick, but the absence of any drama makes you forget to look at the speedo. Just 18 seconds later, it’s at 200. The brakes, although not of the fancy carbon ceramic kind, are still effective and shed speed quickly; one of the advantages of a lightweight car.
Pretty soon, another one gets highlighted like a flare in the Black Forest: attack the curves and the TT changes direction like it was on rails. The aluminium spaceframe, light panels, a (not-so) light driver in the driver’s seat, and quattro mean the TT changes direction like a flea jumps dogs. Left, right, long left, hold, and into the hairpin. My brain juices are flowing around inside my head, but the car is holding its ground, sticking to the tarmac and the line. This would make a good first car, and I’ll tell you why. You need just one good companion to enjoy the ride, and, if or when you have kids, they can fit in the back. When they grow up, they can get TTs of their own. Problem solved.
So, a two-litre engine that drinks petrol, a blower, and an aluminium frame with wide enough rubber: doesn’t sound too good, does it? There’s good news, though, because at 10 km/l in the city and 16 on the highway, it’s better than what I’d imagined (and better than what my personal decade-old small hatchback delivers). It loves taking corners at speed and handles brilliantly. It’s a great compact sports coupé. Can I get a Cayman, or a Z4, or an SLK? Yes, but they’re far more expensive. Can I get a GT-86? No. But this, the TT, is here, now. It does everything you would want it to, and it does it well.
The TT can be a first car. It can! And as far as appearances go, this one goes just as good as it looks.
Note:
For the detailed road test figures, refer to the April 2015 issue of Car India.
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History
TT Mk1 (Typ 8N)
From:
1998-2006
Engines:
1.8-litre I4 TFSI / 150-240 PS
3.2-litre V6 FSI / 250 PS
TT Mk2 (Typ 8J)
From:
2006-2014
Engines:
1.8-litre I4 TFSI / 160 PS
2.0-litre I4 TFSI / 200-272 PS
3.2-litre V6 FSI / 250 PS
2.5-litre I5 TFSI / 340-360 PS
2.0-litre I4 TDI / 170-184 PS
