MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: After several days behind the wheel of this TTS, I've come to appreciate its fine style and performance. This roadster draws a never-ending cascade of compliments. No doubt the white paint and 19-inch wheels draw attention, and for good reason: this is an elegant design, enhanced by the S-specific side sills and front splitter, plus bigger front intakes and R8-like LED headlights. And though I almost always prefer a coupe's lines to a convertible's, the new TT design lends itself well to the ragtop. The roadster features far more rear-deck area than the coupe, and the look works well here and gives the TT a little bit of its old identity back, versus the coupe's common fastback shape.
I did not notice any cowl shake or chassis flex; Audi has done a good job to produce a solid chassis. I spent a fair amount of time with the top down, even though the temperature hovered around 50 degrees. With the rear wind deflector in place, side windows up and the heat cranked, I was more than comfortable. And the electronically raised and lowered rear wind deflector is a welcome solution. Simply push a button and the screen moves up and down in about two seconds. Very slick.
Performance-wise, the car is fun to drive, with Audi's now ubiquitous DSC transmission cracking-off upshifts and downshifts with nary a hiccup. The engine is strong, with a hint of detectable turbo whine and a satisfying boom from the exhaust with each upshift under hard acceleration. However, you never forget that you are driving a four-cylinder, no matter how high-tech this upgraded engine is, but this is probably the best solution in terms of fitting the TT's intended character and manners. The car is not on the same level as a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Z4 in terms of organic driving experiences, but it's a reasonable alternative for those who desire to find an even blend of style, comfort, build quality and performance.
Side note: Dump the options, though, because this as-tested price is ludicrous. And while we all hope Audi winds up bringing the TTRS to our roads, I'm afraid to think about how expensive it might be. Please, Audi, don't let the price tag creep up into the Porsche zone.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JONATHAN WONG: This TTS is proof that there is room to run with Volkswagen/Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged I4. With the same displacement, they've squeezed an additional 65-hp and 51 lb-ft of torque out of this powerplant. Impressive, but they've done a lot to separate this engine from its base configuration.
For starters, they strengthen the block, heads, pistons, con rods and upgrade the turbocharger and intercooler. Then they added a reworked intake and exhaust system to deliver the jump in grunt. The more powerful engine delivers power smoothly when partnered with the DSG gearbox. Rattle off upshifts and downshifts yourself with the paddles or slot the shifter into Sport mode and let the computer do the work; it doesn't matter because this dual-clutch works beautifully either way. Before you know it, you're well past 60 mph and the car still doesn't want to letup. Good engine.
The tighter suspension provides gobs of grip, quick turn-in and a confident ride. Like Mac, I found the chassis solid even without the fixed roof. Only thing I was looking for is a little more weight in the steering wheel, which is my complaint about most Audi vehicles.
Its more aggressive appearance is fitting to go along with the TTS's raised performance game. Larger intakes upfront, new headlights, side sills and various exterior trim bits look good.
Basically, the TTS is what driving enthusiasts have been asking for. More power, snappier handling and more standout looks. No, it doesn't give drivers the sense of involvement that you have in a Boxster, but it strikes a good balance of performance and luxury. Maybe the TTRS they announced for Europe would be the answer for more thoroughbred performance folks?
SENIOR EDITOR FOR NEWS BOB GRITZINGER: As much as I like TTs and especially ones with this baseball-glove-leather seat stitching, this looked and felt a lot like a high-end secretary's car--maybe a highly paid assistant to the undersecretary type of secretary, but a secretary nonetheless. Why? Maybe it was the cute pearl white paint, or the easy-to-drive auto-manual transmission, or the lightly weighted steering, or the overall driving ease. Add a cute baby blue roof and the package would be complete.
Maybe the paint job is what threw me, because otherwise the car--at least in Sport mode--is a hoot to drive. In regular Drive, the turbo lag is often unbearable, so keeping the revs up is imperative.
As for the comparisons with a Boxster, the only real connection is the price tag. That's huge for this car, even with the extra power, compared with the driving experience you get from a comparably priced Boxster S.
2009 Audi TTS Roadster
In Fleet: April 9-23
Base Price: $48,325
As-Tested Price: $57,125
Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, six-speed sequential manual
Output: 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 2,500-5,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,373 lb
Fuel Economy: (EPA/AW) 24/22.0 mpg
Options: Prestige model including navigation, six-disk CD changer, interior LED lighting package, rear Audi parking system, Bose premium sound system, 10-way adjustable power seats including four-way power lumbar, heated, Bluetooth phone preparation, auto dimming interior mirror, rain sensing windshield wipers, storage package, load through facility with ski bag, power folding top ($6,000); baseball optic fine nappa leather seats ($2,000); 19-inch five parallel spoke design alloy wheels with summer tires ($800)
