The Audi TT Roadster has remained a favorite choice for fashionistas since 1999, because of its beautiful look, high-quality interior, and low operating expenses. The vehicle is available with four-cylinder petrol engines, manual and automatic transmissions, and front or four-wheel drive. The speedier TTS and TT RS models are offered, with the more powerful model being a popular choice. nevertheless, no TT is slow, and its predecessor has dominated the luxury car scene since its debut.
The Audi TT Roadster features just two seats, trading its rear set for a quick-folding fabric cover. Its primary competitors are the BMW Z4 and the Porsche 718 Boxster. The performance of the TT Roadster will be defined by its cruiser capabilities and ability to compete with the Z4 on twisty roads. The following sections will also recommend the most efficient engine and trim quality for the money.
The 197bhp, 2.0-litre 40 TFSI Audi TT Roadster engine is the entry-level variant with a linear power distribution, snappy performance, and low running costs. However, because it is only available with front-wheel drive, it struggles with traction on wet roads. The mid-range 2.0-litre petrol (45 TFSI) engine, available with front-wheel drive or Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive system, has increased power, allowing the TT Roadster to reach 62mph in 6.1 seconds. This increased power is largely found around the top of the rev meter, making it faster when pushed hard but not noticeably different in regular driving. The 306bhp, four-wheel-drive TTS outperforms the 718 Boxster, but is beaten by the range-topping TT RS, which boasts a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine generating 395bhp.
A drop-top vehicle with a firm ride that lessens scuttle shaking on uneven roads is the Audi TT Roadster. Sport and S-line vehicles come with a basic suspension that offers a stiff but usually pleasant ride. The ride isn’t too rough thanks to the optional sports setup. Large wheels (up to 20 inches) are advised for people who choose comfort above athletic design. With the adaptive suspension found on top-of-the-line TTS models, you may adjust how soft or rigid the ride is. When in ‘Comfort’ mode, the TTS becomes a smooth cruiser with well-controlled body motions over bumps and undulations, but in ‘Dynamic’ mode, it becomes unstable on B roads. The basic suspension on the TT RS is stiff but not adaptable, as it is positioned 10 mm lower than previous TT models.
The TT Roadster feels lighter than competitors like the Z4. When you turn the wheel, the Audi dives into curves with a firm grip and very little body lean, especially in the S-line models with the firmer sports suspension and the powerful TTS with its adaptive suspension. You can push the TT hard with lots of confidence thanks to the light, precise handling, and it’s simple to determine when to back off.
Front-wheel-drive TTs may find it difficult to put all of their power down on the road in wet conditions, especially when accelerating out of corners or from a stop. However, the four-wheel-drive models are nearly insouciant.
Even while the TT Roadster blocks out a good amount of outside noise, a two-seat roadster will never be as quiet inside as a high-end saloon. You will still need to speak up a little to carry on a regular conversation at highway speeds. Though it’s not any noisier inside than the Z4, there is a continuous drone from the tires and some wind noise from the area surrounding the frameless windows.
In contrast to the rather dull sounds the Z4 makes when not equipped with the top-spec engine, the engines are quiet and smooth at low rpm and sound appropriately rorty when you drive them hard.
The manual gearbox with six speeds shifts smoothly and precisely, though we would have preferred a little quicker action. The automated Stronic gearbox (optional for front-wheel drive models and the TTS, and standard for four-wheel drive variants) is typically smooth but a little jerky while navigating.
In the Audi TT Roadster, you sit rather low, but it’s nevertheless not as parallel to the ground as the 718 Boxster. Because the comfortable seat and steering wheel have several adjustment options, drivers of all shapes and sizes may find comfort while getting in and out of the car more easily than with that one. All save the entry-level Sport versions come with standard adjustable lumbar support. Audi’s Super Sport seats, which come with adjustable side bolsters to suit your body type, are standard on S line cars and higher.
You won’t have any trouble operating the TT because it has a simple dashboard with simply a few well-labeled buttons arranged neatly. The electronic instrument panel in the vicinity of the driver houses all of the information, including media and maps, instead of a central screen.
The cloth roof of the TT Roadster includes an opaque area, which forces you to crane your neck to look behind. Big door mirrors, though, are helpful. By roadster standards, there has good forward visibility. S series cars have brighter LED headlights, while regular Xenon headlights are standard. Adaptive Matrix LED headlights are a feature of top-tier Vorsprung vehicles. While front parking sensors and a rear-view camera are optional, rear parking sensors are the usual feature. The TT is automatically guided into an appropriate spot by an optional Park Assist system.
The 12.3-inch color display in the Audi TT houses infotainment information with the instrument dials. It is located behind the steering wheel. It features a USB port and DAB radio, but the pricey Technology Package is the only way to get sat-nav. Between each seat is a sizable rotary dial that controls the system. It has shortcut buttons for various operations. One method of input for letters and numbers is finger sketching.
The inside of the TT Roadster is truly unique; all of the switches and buttons have a pleasing click to them, and the panel gaps are so small as to be almost invisible. The interior is made of solid-feeling, premium materials. The entire inside is more luxurious than the 718 Boxster’s and of a higher caliber than the Z4’s.
With a wide cabin and a comfortable driver’s seat, the Audi TT Roadster provides enough of room for tall adults. The door pockets are modest, but there’s a spacious glovebox and a covered cubby in front of the gear lever. Between each seat is a single cupholder that is sufficiently broad to support a drink when braking or cornering, with another cupholder concealed below it. In sports automobiles, the interior width also lessens hemming.
There isn’t much room behind the seats in the two-seater TT Roadster—just a little recess that can hold keys, wallets, and cell phones. Four-seat convertibles like the Mercedes C Class Cabriolet provide greater room for several people than their two-seat competitors like the Z4.
All models come standard with height-adjustable seats, while S line, TTS, and TT RS models offer electrically adjustable lumbar support. Fully motorized seats are available as an expensive option, but the TT’s manual seat adjustment makes it unnecessary to spend extra money.
Air conditioning, heated Alcantara seats, foldable mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, USB port, and DAB radio are all included with the Sport specification. The S line specification has aggressive appearance, wider alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and stylistic elements from the TT RS. The Black Edition has limited option boxes. The most costly optional features for range-topping Vorsprung cars are cruise control, satellite navigation, and temperature control.
In addition to the secondary collision assist system and four airbags that come standard, the TT Roadster also offers optional packages that include traffic sign recognition, blindspot warning, and hill-hold assistance. In 2015, the standard TT was awarded four stars out of five, with the lack of automated emergency braking deducting one point. The TT Roadster has received five out of five thefts and four out of five breaking-in ratings from security specialists Thatcham, and each model has an alarm.
With a fuel-efficient 40 TFSI engine, low CO2 emissions, and an entry-level engine, the Audi TT Roadster is a dependable and safe vehicle. There are several trim levels available, such as Sport, S line, Black Edition, and Vorsprung versions. The TT comes with a three-year guarantee and roadside support in the UK, and it ranks 18th in 2021. Four airbags, blindspot warning, hill-hold assistance, secondary collision aid, and traffic sign recognition are included. The TT receives a five-star rating for resilience against theft and break-ins.
