2005 Audi TT Quattro Sport review

Audi TT Quattro Sport review:

At Audi, TT stands for undiluted driving pleasure. The Coup? captivates the driver with its agility and revolutionary design. Audi now offers something special for this sports car's large band of aficionados: TT quattro sport is the name of the new model in this successful car line. A car that embodies a purist approach to driving enjoyment combined with stunning looks.

More output and less weight ? coupled with the superior qualities of quattro permanent four-wheel drive ? are the key ingredients of undiluted driving pleasure and perfect handling. The Audi TT quattro sport is an authentic sports car that focuses even more strongly on sportiness and driving fun than the regular TT. It both demonstrates this through its performance and illustrates it through its exclusive two-colour look.

More output and torque

The engine and transmission have undergone extensive changes. The 1.8-litre turbo unit now delivers 240 bhp (176 kW). The torque has been increased to 320 Newton-metres. The Coup?'s road performance is very impressive: the TT quattro sport accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 250 km/h. Extensive technical measures have been taken in response to the engine's gain in output. The transmission casing for the four-cylinder engine houses the ring gear of the six-speed gearbox adopted from the top-of-the-range TT 3.2. The bodyshell is the same as that of the 1.8T except for the rear floor, which has likewise been adopted from the TT 3.2. This has made it possible to switch the battery to the rear and thereby optimise the weight distribution.

Powerful motor, powerful propulsion: the TT quattro sport has quattro permanent four-wheel drive as standard, delivering substantially more traction and safety than its competitors. The sports coup? is in addition equipped with S line sports suspension.

Less weight

Making light work: the Audi TT quattro sport keeps a very close eye on weight ? conspicuously so, in fact, and in detail too. A mere glance inside the Coup? is sufficient to confirm that its weight has been reduced. The rear bench seat has been removed, instead of which there are now a transverse brace and a net partition for securing items of luggage. Audi has replaced the sports seats with superb Recaro bucket seats that afford maximum lateral support. The TT quattro sport has shed its automatic air conditioning for the sake of weight reduction, and instead has a heating system that weighs twelve kilograms less. Customers who would like to have the air conditioning system can order it at no extra charge.

Compared with a normal TT 1.8T (165 kW), the TT quattro sport has shed 75 kilograms, as a result of which it is even more agile and fun to drive. The sports car's unladen weight is 1,390 kilograms and the power-to-weight ratio is 5.8 kg/bhp.

Two-colour theme provides visual highlight

The Audi TT quattro sport is identifiable at first glance as a very special TT. The striking two-colour finish is the most immediate evidence that it is different. The roof is painted in Phantom Black pearl effect, and the body is available in the pearl effect colours Avus Silver, Misano Red, Mauritius Blue, Silver or Phantom Black. The colours of the vehicle body are also echoed by the backs of the bucket seats. The two-colour paint finish is the most striking visual change, but many other details distinguish the TT quattro sport from other TT models.

The S line exterior package with its special bumpers and modified side sills accentuates its sports appeal. At the rear, the diffusor trim with its two black tailpipes is a particularly noticeable feature. In keeping with the two-colour theme, the air inlets at the front, the exterior mirror housings and the rear spoiler and diffusor are in a contrasting colour.

The TT comes with large 18-inch wheels. The newly designed cast aluminium wheels of 15-spoke design provide a glimpse of the red brake calipers. The wheels are fitted with 235/40 R 18 tyres.

Exclusive materials for the interior

Exclusive materials dominate the interior. The steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever knob are trimmed in Alcantara, to match the Alcantara/leather seat upholstery. There are provisions for retrofitting harness belts both on the seats and on the vehicle body. The exclusive engraving on the glove box handle is another utterly distinctive touch that makes the TT quattro sport different.

The standard equipment includes xenon headlights and the luggage net. The TT quattro sport's specification can of course be extended by such items as automatic air conditioning, available at no extra charge, or an exclusive radio or the navigation system.

The TT quattro sport is the most systematic interpretation yet of a purist sports car philosophy in the Audi TT. It represents a perfect blend of pioneering technology, exemplified by quattro permanent four-wheel drive, and purist driving enjoyment.

The TT family

The successful TT car line comprises two body versions: the Coup? and the Roadster. As well as the 240 bhp engine for the quattro sport, which is available exclusively as a Coup?, there are three other engine versions for the entire car line. The high-torque 3.2-litre, six-cylinder engine developing 184 kW (250 bhp) is available with a choice of 6-speed gearbox or the Direct Shift Gearbox DSG.

Then there are three four-cylinder versions with outputs of 150, 180 and 225 bhp. Finally, Audi supplies a version of the TT with front-wheel drive as an alternative to quattro permanent four-wheel drive.

The Audi TT quattro sport, which is built by quattro GmbH, carries a price tag of EUR 41,600. End of Audi TT Quattro Sport review.