The magazine team known for pulling no punches in its car appraisals has been won over by the Audi sports car designed with an equally uncompromising approach – the all new Audi TT Coupé is BBC Top Gear Magazine’s Coupé of the Year.
The version of the new high-tech Audi sports car which was singled out for particular praise in the magazine’s awards citation is the remarkable new 2.0 TDI ultra, which with 184PS and 380Nm of torque has the necessary brawn to deliver performance which befits the breed, yet combines this with the potential to return a distinctly uncharacteristic 67mpg with CO2 emissions of just 110g/km.
The Top Gear Magazine test team showed its approval by writing: “The 2.0-litre in the TDI ultra is smooth, quiet and punchy, drives cleanly and is, maybe surprisingly, the version that impressed us more. It doesn’t try hard to be great and so strikes a happy balance. Well done, Audi – this one’s a corker.”
The new Audi virtual cockpit which is a standard feature in all TT models also played a significant role in the judges’ decision. Based around a 12.3-inch, high resolution LCD display that completely fills the driver’s instrument binnacle, it replaces the traditional analogue dials with brilliantly sharp digital equivalents which can either fill the display or be minimised to make room for other functions, such as the media screens or navigation map. It also enables the driver to easily control the majority of functions via the multi-function steering wheel.
The Top Gear test team showed its appreciation for this classic embodiment of Vorsprung durch Technik by writing: “[The interior] works logically and brilliantly. Almost everything can be controlled by your thumbs on the wheel, it’s intuitive and attractive and really rather, well, wonderful.”
From 184PS to 310PS
Available in the UK now priced from £29,770 OTR and arriving with its first customers during this month, the TT Coupé envelops its all-digital virtual cockpit in a beautiful new body that is unmistakably TT but also distinctly contemporary. In addition to the 184 PS 2.0-litre TDI engine it also offers the option of state-of-the-art 230PS or 310PS versions of the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, the latter reserved for the TTS which is also now available and will reach its first UK customers in April.
All are underpinned by a completely new platform which sets new standards for handling agility and control, particularly when combined with the very latest evolution of the quattro all-wheel-drive system which is available for the 2.0 TFSI model and standard for the TTS.
Interior technology highlights common to the Sport and S line versions that make up the TT range include the Multi Media Interface with the MMI touch pad for fingertip data entry, the Audi Music Interface, Bluetooth connectivity, the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system and keyless go. Complementary comforts also include Alcantara and leather combination upholstery for the standard sports seats and air conditioning which can be adjusted via controls innovatively integrated into the air vents themselves.
Outside the cabin, the two specification levels include 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels, and Xenon or LED headlamps respectively, plus a speed-dependent active rear spoiler and sports suspension. S line versions with their exclusive S line body styling and dynamic rear ‘sweeping’ indicators also offer the no cost option to swap to tauter S line sports suspension bringing a further 10mm reduction in ride height.
The TTS Coupe offers its own exclusive specification adding ‘S-specific’ styling details inside and out and features such as Audi magnetic ride variable damper control, heated super sports seats upholstered in Fine Nappa leather and a bespoke version of the Audi virtual cockpit with a third, TTS-specific display setting.
2014 Audi TT Coupe Quattro
Source: Audi