It’s hard to believe that Audi has been delivering the innovative TT line of automobiles to our shores for the better part of two decades, but the third generation car emerges with new levels of refinement, performance, and efficiency.
Audi Coupe Styling
Styling is familiar, albeit carefully sculpted to improve aerodynamics and give the car cues more in line with its pretty stable mates. The new car is slightly shorter and narrower than the outgoing car, and it has been designed to ride lower and features a longer wheelbase. The overall look is more aggressive than that of previous iterations, but manages to convey this sporty image without the addition of excess aero bits, vents, and spoilers. The car benefits from all new LED lighting front and rear, and TTS exclusives include silver mirror caps and quad exhaust pipes to maximize curb appeal.Â
Inside the TTS cabin
On the inside you will find seating for four, although the rear compartment is best reserved for those of smaller stature with small feet, but the two front positions offer abundant leg-, hip-, and headroom for all but the tallest individuals. Rearward visibility isn’t great, but some practicality has to be sacrificed in the name of beauty. Our test unit featured the Driver Comfort Package which includes front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, and Audi side assist (blind spot indicator) to help alleviate some of the visibility issues.Â
The cabin design is clean and uncluttered, and the overall quality of the fit-and-finish is impressive. You immediately notice that the dash layout has been simplified to the point that there are very few buttons, screens and switches visible. In fact, even the HVAC controls have been incorporated into the vents themselves!
Control Centre
Audi buyers tend to be tech savvy, so the TTS has been blessed with the introduction of one of the slickest instrument clusters to ever grace an automobile. The virtual cockpit features a stunning, high-visibility screen measuring 12.3-inches across, which effectively replaces a multitude of analog gauges, LCD screens and traditional meters. At the touch of a button the operator can completely alter this colourful display to best suit their needs, cycling between speedometer and tachometer information as well as navigation, infotainment, and camera functions. Taking in vital information is quick and efficient, as the screen is bold, bright and ultra-sharp.
Revamped Media Interface
Audi’s Multi-Media Interface (MMI) has been revamped to be more intuitive, and latest version greatly simplifies the operation of the navigation, radio, phone and media devices that comprise the virtual cockpit user screen.
Performance and TTS horsepower: turbocharged 2.0L TFSI inline four-cylinder engine
The TTS is a driver’s car, so it comes fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-litre TFSI inline four-cylinder engine that produces a healthy 292-horsepower and 280 ft.-lb of torque which is distributed as needed to all-four wheels via Audi’s proven quattro all-wheel-drive system. The car features the ultra-quick, dual-clutch, 6-speed S-tronic automatic transmission which comes with launch control, a bit of engineering wizardry which helps the car sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 4.9 seconds. Easy to reach paddle shifters make the act of traipsing through the gearbox effortless and instinctive as you go hunting for apexes on back country roads.
Driving dynamics: how is the 2017 Audi TTS on the road?
Also on board is the Audi drive select system which allows the driver to select from four individual driving modes – comfort, auto, dynamic or individual – to adjust the car’s performance and handling characteristics to best suit road and weather conditions, as well as the driver’s intent. To further enhance the car’s comfort and handling the TTS features Audi’s three mode magnetic ride system, which automatically adjusts the firmness of the dampers to suit the current driving situation. This clever system has three modes – auto, comfort or dynamic – which can also be manually selected by the driver using the aforementioned Audi drive select system.
At the touch of a button the operator can completely alter this colourful display to best suit their needs, cycling between speedometer and tachometer information as well as navigation, infotainment, and camera functions.
Handling is competent and the car likes to be tossed into corners where it exhibits just a hint of body roll at higher speeds. The ride is stiff, but comfortable, and when dynamic mode is selected the driver is able to read the car’s intentions through the steering wheel and seat. Steering feel is light, but its action is precise, and the oversized disc brakes deliver phenomenal stopping power.
The TTS represents the perfect package for those individuals who appreciate distinctive styling, embrace technology, and truly relish the act of driving.Â
Pros
- Visceral performance without sacrificing efficiency
- Distinctive styling sets it apart from the crowd
- Thrilling exhaust note
Cons
- Limited rear passenger room
- Rear visibility
- Limited cargo room
2017 Audi TTS Specs:
- Type: Four passenger, all-wheel-drive coupe
- Engine: 2.0-litre, DOHC, I-4 16V Direct Injection TFSI engineÂ
- Horsepower: 292 hp@ 5400-6200 rpm
- Torque (lb.-ft):Â 280 lb-ft @ 1900-5300 rpm
- Transmission: Dual-clutch, 6-speed S-tronic automatic
- Brakes (front/rear): Disc / disc
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h – 4.9 seconds
