Tommy T

Revised Audi TT
We like the Audi TT. Even ignoring its looks, it's a fine performing car with good grip and entertaining handling - as long as it is kept at sensible speeds or in experienced hands.
But a few owners have made the mistake of believing Audi's advertising, which portrays the firm's Quattro system supergluing cars to the road. In fact, four-wheel drive can only improve road-holding when power is being fed to the wheels. With the throttle shut, a Quattro-equipped car will handle in exactly the same way as - or even worse than - a two-wheel-drive model.

The TT's problem of oversteer when you lift off the throttle is actually no worse than you'd encounter on some hot hatches; but drive too fast, panic mid-bend and this Audi will bite, throwing the car sideways.

Reacting quickly to criticisms, Audi has pulled out all the stops to make the car more predictable on the limit. All new TTs now feature revised suspension and an Electronic Stability Program. But the easiest way to spot a modified TT is by the rear wing. Stuck on to the tail, most agree it ruins the model's looks, although it's there for a reason - to ensure the TT's rear really does stay glued to the ground at high speed.

But has Audi been over-cautious, transforming the TT from a sporty coupe to a safe but dull-handling Volkswagen Golf in drag? To find out, we got a modified car together with a TT which has yet to go under the knife, and drove them exclusively back-to-back on the road and track.

On the public highway you have to really concentrate to notice the changes. At regular speeds there is no discernible difference to the way the two TTs drive. Along the same stretch of road in the modified car you might just detect a slightly firmer ride at the rear, while the front seems softer, rolling fractionally more under hard cornering.

The alterations aren't all bad news, however - one of the results is more communicative steering. Push the old car into a bend and it was hard to judge when the front wheels were losing grip. Take the same corner in the modified TT and the point at which the rubber starts to slide is easier to detect. To be honest, though, these changes are very minor; there would probably be a more dramatic shift in the car's characteristics simply by altering the tyre pressures. We suspect that most owners will wonder why Audi bothered to make the suspension modifications at all. Moving on to a sodden airfield to test the cars at and beyond their limits, the TT's new bits suddenly made sense. Starting in the old model, we attacked a waterlogged hairpin at 40mph - far quicker than would be sensible on the road. Then we backed off the throttle mid-bend, which would be the natural reaction for most drivers taken by surprise. The rear of the Audi instantly started to slide out.

Rely on steering inputs alone to keep the car pointing in the right direction and the TT will end up facing backwards. But use the throttle carefully to transfer the weight back over the rear wheels and the TT gets back in line, with the Quattro proving its worth by pulling the car round even in grim conditions.

When we repeated the exercise in the tweaked car, it was dramatically different. Even at the same speed it felt as though we were travelling much faster, with more roll and steering feel. Lifting off the gas at the same point the back came around and the ESP system suddenly kicked in, violently applying the brakes to individual wheels to get the TT pointing the right way again. Even the most inexperienced driver should be saved from meeting the Armco, although Audi's electronics apply the brakes so suddenly to snap the car back into line, most people will still think they have had an accident. There is none of the finesse of Porsche's sophisticated PSM system, which allows the vehicle to slide a small amount before gently helping it back on track.

At motorway speeds, the difference is even more dramatic. Simulate an emergency stop or sudden lane change in the wet and both TTs cope well, the brake distribution system and ABS keeping the Audi pointing in the right direction. But try it without the brakes and with no throttle and the old car's electronics can't help - you'd need to be on the ball to prevent a spin. The modified TT does far better thanks to the ESP, but it can over-compensate, snapping the car into another slide before correcting again. By then, though, you are travelling slowly enough to control it easily.

The good news is the modifications haven't ruined the TT, only made it safer for inexperienced drivers - and less exciting for enthusiasts. If only the firm could have made the rear wing more subtle and the ESP system more sophisticated...

1ST OPINION

Besides the rear spoiler and ESP button on the dash, most owners won't notice the changes to their TT when it arrives back from the factory. Try both models back-to-back at normal speeds and you have to concentrate to find a difference. But push hard and, although the new car will lose grip first, it gives more warning via body roll and steering feel. If the pilot fails to react, the ESP will keep you in line. However, enthusiastic drivers may not appreciate the changes.

At a glance

* Audi TT coupe gets factory modifications to improve high-speed handling

* Revised suspension settings, Electronic Stability Program and rear spoiler

* No price rise for new cars; existing models will be modified free of charge

YosemyTT

us think. I drove a 180FWD and loved it (a bit underpowered though). I was feeling slightly disappointed at the prospect of getting a 'tame' TT. I have less doubts now and should be ordering a 225Q coupe very soon. Thanks again for the review. AE is one of the better UK mags.

Hugues

<p>Hugues

Tommy T

I've driven both the 180FWD and 225Q and have been the happy owner of the latter for 4 months now. I love it and glad I waited for the 225Q - its so much better, has more street cred and you get a lot more for the extra cash...better engine, quattro handling, better sound, bigger & different wheels, better headlights, dual exhausts...must be something else, just can't recall! Anyway, worth the wait.