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Roominess |
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| Handling |
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Running Costs |
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| Comfort |
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Value for Money |
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| Quality + Reliability |
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Equipment |
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| Performance |
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Environment |
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From the previous more rounded, almost cute iconic look to the wider, more angular, more aggressive new look, the TT indeed has grown up. Some may prefer the previous gentler look, but the new look is still handsome by most standards. Inside, the styling is Audi-classy. The attractive cabin is where TT sets itself apart from competition.
Handling is much improved from the previous vague-feeling TT. No matter how you look at it: Steering is accurate and full of feel; traction and grip are plentiful; body control is superb with minimal body roll; and turn-in at corners is sharp, the excellent chassis allowing TT to alter the cornering line using differing amounts of throttle input. In short, great to drive. This car is also very refined on the highway fast lanes.
Due to the sporty suspension setup, the ride at lower-speeds is on the firm side. Rough surfaces upset the ride comfort. Road and wind noises are generally well-suppressed. With a wide range of adjustments, drivers can easily get comfortable. Flat-bottomed steering wheel is nice, with a background of logically placed controls. Controls are easy to operate. Seats are cosseting, but visibility through the side and rear is limited by TT's small windows.
Just like the rest of the car, Audi stepped it up in the cabin. Materials used and fit-and-finish are all first-rate. The combination of such fine materials nicely put together with good ergonomics creates an attractive cabin. According to JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, the previous Audi TT's reliability was no better than average.
The only engine option, a turbocharged 2.0-litre in-line four FSI, performs well. The normally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 may not be available here, but this sweet engine may have rendered it pointless. TT rarely feels out of breath thanks to the 2.0-litre's strong mid-range punch. Similarly impressive is Audi's S-tronic direct-shift gearbox which matches the engine's smoothness.
TT may have four seats, but that is really just to differentiate from key rivals like BMW Z4 or Mercedes-Benz SLK. Front two passengers get lots of head- and leg- room. But the rear seats are practically useless for transporting adults with almost non-existent room for the feet and limited headroom. It is extra space for luggages though. Boot size is decent, but rear seats can fold flat to enhance practicality.
With Direct Injection technology, fuel economy is good for a 2.0-litre engine. But given the sporty nature of TT, fuel economy will likely suffer with keen drivers stepping hard when they have the chance. Servicing and repairs are likely to be costly. Insurance should be expensive given the high selling price and TT's potential sports car classification. Road tax is much cheaper at RM 372. Depreciation should be comparable to BMW Z4 or Mercedes-Benz SLK.
At RM 368,000, Audi TT Coupe is up against BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK. BMW Z4 Coupe costs RM 498,000, but it is 3.0-litre versus a 2.0-litre powerplant in TT. A more comparable model should be the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0-litre costing RM 348,800. Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster 1.8-litre goes for RM 468,888, which is significantly pricier than TT or Z4. To us, the price serves as another incentive to pick this wonderful car over the rest.
Available equipments include: 16-inch alloy wheels, gear shift paddles on leather steering wheel, speed sensitive rear spoiler, leather sports front seats, automatic headlights range dynamic, daytime running lights, multi-function display with on-board computer, Audi radio concert system, and rear acoustic parking system. Safety kit includes ABS, ESP, and four airbags with deactivation of front passengers airbag.
Audi's technology in FSI Direct Injection technology and lightweight aluminum construction combine to reduce damage to the environment. Emitting a relatively low 183 g/km of carbon dioxide, TT is one of the most environmentally friendly sports car in its class.