2016 Audi TTS review

THE ALL-NEW 2016 Audi TTS (with Android Car Gps) Coupe and Roadster top the third generation TT sports car line-up launched in February 2015, offering increased performance, luxury and new design touches to differentiate it from the base model TT. For instance, the 2016 TTS Coupe runs Audi’s 2.0L TFSI engine producing 210kW at 5300-6200rpm and maximum torque of 380Nm between 1800-5200rpm launching the car from a standing start to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds; 0.6 seconds faster than its predecessor. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. The Roadster is 85Kg heavier so does the 0-100km/h dash in 5.0 seconds, but retains the same top speed. The drop-top also loses the two back seats of the Coupe and uses slightly more fuel, but neither of these points are likely to concern the typical buyer of this car… The TTS takes styling cues from its big brother, the R8 supercar with the same bonnet shape and grille design and the four-ringed badge relocated from the grille to the bonnet. Interestingly this third-generation TTS is no bigger than the second-generation model but has a 19mm increase in track, for improved stability and interior room, and it sits 10mm lower to the tarmac than the current TT. The TTS also sets itself apart from the TT with different front and rear bumpers with rear diffuser, quad exhaust tips, full length stop light across the boot, different dash panel texture, TTS badging, aluminum inlays, special seat patterns and TTS embossing on the backrests, special floor mats and matching signature headlights and tail lights. The spoiler can be raised manually at the push of a button or left to deploy of its own accord at speed (120km/h.) Pressing on the fuel filler door reveals cap-less refuelling, bringing you a little bit of race car feel on every fill. The seats are clad in alcantara and leather trim, fully electronically adjustable with electro-pneumatic side bolsters, electronic lumbar support, neck-level heating in the Roadster with optional fine Nappa leather available for both cars at an additional cost. I had no complaints about the adjustability, style or ease of use. The cockpit style interior contains a multifunction flat-bottomed sports steering wheel plus MMI Navigation with MMI touch, Digital Radio, Car Dvd Player, 10GB of music storage, live traffic and five included map updates at six-monthly intervals. The multi-use TFT serves as the instrument cluster with dials and navigation and is user customisable, so we found the driver is not distracted by needing to glance at information other than what is directly front of them. The system is also very responsive. The story starts with the 2.0L TFSI engine in the 2016 TTS increasing power and torque over the second-generation TTS (2006-2014) with an extra 10kW of power and 30Nm of torque. Maximum boost from the turbo is 1.2 bar (or roughly 17PSI in Australian performance speak). Glancing at the spec sheet you could be forgiven for thinking that Audi had made a typo on the torque range and I have to say I was sceptical. However, upon getting behind the wheel on a closed mountain road I can confidently say the car delivers on the promise of a very broad torque band (1800-5200rpm) and the engine and transmission combination is a beautiful match. If installing an Android Car Stereo in your car, that would be great!