FirstDrive/Audi TT Roadster:Audi's new soft-top TT roadster will achieve fashion status with its stylish, robust build. But it comes at some cost, writes Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor.
With the coupé version already selling strongly for 07 registrations, Audi has pencilled in the arrival of its soft-top roadster version of the TT for March next year.
Taking its cue from the outgoing roadster, Audi shied away from introducing a hard-top folding metal roof for the car, deciding to stick with the cloth. Weight and bootspace seem to have been the major factors influencing the decision.
"The metal roofs may look good and offer more protection in the winter, but it would have been just too heavy and bulky for this car," according to one of the engineers who worked on the project.
The good news is that the cloth roof is folded and unfurled electrically in less than 12 seconds, an impressive feat that can be accomplished at traffic lights or even on the move in heavy traffic. There are no clips to undo; simply hit the switch and hey presto, you've open top motoring.
The same engine range on offer with the coupé version features here and in keeping with its metal roofed sibling the 2-litre is more than adequate for the purpose at hand.
The 3.2-litre unit puts out 250bhp and has a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. It also manages to be docile and quiet in town traffic and raspingly racy on the open road.
Yet that's probably not what owners are looking for. If you want the rasping engine note and a more evident eagerness at all times then the 2-litre is the one to opt for.
Even though it lacks the Quattro four-wheel drive of the flagship version, it's only slightly less powerful with 200bhp on offer and marginally slower off the blocks at 6.5 seconds from standstill to 100km/h. More importantly, it's €11,000 cheaper, starting at €55,000 compared to €66,000 for the 3.2-litre V6. That's a significant price difference and the money is better spent perusing the options list.
Only the most enthusiastic drivers will get the chance to truly appreciate the difference and for them, the image conscious TT roadster is probably not top of their wish list.
For the more regular sports car fans, Audi has created a lovely racy engine note from the exhaust system on the 2-litre.
It's not the natural engine note but it serves its purpose with aplomb and with the roof down you can catch all the gurgles and engine blips as it works through the gears. With the roof up the cabin feels rather confined and dark, but acoustics inside are well catered for and you don't suffer from the elements.
Nice interior touches include the use of the Audi RS4 steering wheel, squared off at the bottom and even the bootspace is impressive, offering over 200 litres in a deep-set well that's only limitation seems to be the rather tight aperture through which everything must be loaded.
In terms of competitors it's more refined than the likes of the BMW Z4 roadster, but arguably not as much fun at the top-end of the engine versions, even though the 3.2-litre does have better handling thanks to the Quattro system.
Soft-top fans could save a lot of money opting for the likes of the Mazda MX-5 - a true roadster in the traditional sense and only €31,000. Even the Mercedes SLK roadster would seem to offer better value and it comes with a folding metal roof.
Yet the TT roadster will always have a following, thanks to its premium styling and fashion status. It also feels better built and more robust than several of these competitors.
It may cost over €55,000 to put it on the road, but you feel like you get more value for money than you would with several of its rivals, many of which feature more flimsy interiors and less robust build quality. Those opting for a 3.2-litre version would need to be certain they are in need of its extra performance and for our money it's hard to argue against the 2-litre for Irish roads.
Factfile:
ENGINES
3.2-litre, 250bhp V6 version with quattro permanent four-wheel drive, 2-litre, 200bhp TFSI version which blends turbo charging with petrol direct injection technology and front wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
2-litre TFSI: 0-100km/h in 6.5 secs; top speed of 237km/h
3.2-litre V6: 0-100km/h in 5.9 secs; top speed limited to 250km/h
PRICES: 2-litre - from €55,000 3.2-litre - from €66,000