At one time Motor Trend had a stable filled with sporty, pulse-accelerating, canyon-carving long-term machines. All inside a year, we’d a long-term Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and also a Subaru Impreza WRX STI, a BMW M3 coupe, Dodge Challenger R/T, and a Lexus IS-F. No matter what poison you picked, that you were assured to possess blast. But nowadays, except for our Cadillac CTS-V wagon, our fleet has become somewhat docile. Stacked heavy with versatile hatchbacks and the ones movers, it has become indifferent, not enthusiastic.
Our latest arrival, a 2011 Audi TTS, has returned a number of that lost fun. The trendy Scuba Blue metallic all-wheel-drive coupe finds its eagerness via its 2.0-liter TFSI engine producing 265 turbocharged horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque — that’s 54 horsepower more than you will find from the standard TT. Getting those extra horses as a result of all 19-inch tri-spoke wheels is Audi’s paddle-operated S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox allowing gear modifications in a blazing 0.2 seconds. Keeping all of it responsible is Audi’s magnetic ride suspension which rides 10 mm lower than regular TTs and has two modes; normal and sport.
With all the suspension set to sport as well as the transmission to manual the TTS is a blast through twisty mountain roads and in normal mode is adequately cushioned for daily driver use. All this results in a 4.7-second 0-60 mph a serious amounts of a quarter-mile run of 13.4 sec at 103.4 mph. The TTS handles our Motor Trend figure eight course in a very respectable 25.7 seconds in an average of 0.70 g and arrests itself from 60 mph in just 115 feet.
The TTS’ exterior and interior have been touched while using magic S division wand. An aluminum-trimmed grill, side mirrors and gas cap cover and also new rocker panels, bumpers and quad exhaust have a hostile but clean look. The inside is shod with black and spectral silver Napa leather and again utilizes aluminum since the choice accent material. Like a 6 foot 2 inch, 250-pound mountain of an person, I actually enjoy the ample interior space. The double-bubble designed roof really increases headroom as there are a good amount of legroom even for someone of my stature with the ape index the size of mine. I love the classic round black-faced gauges and flat bottom tire, it feels classy, and also the round air vents can be a design cue going back the main TT.
The accessible navigation system, section of the $2070 Premium Plus package, is amongst the biggest difficulties with your vehicle. At first glance, I was thinking Audi’s MMI system was based on a touch-screen interface as many new cars are; instead you have to makes use of the corresponding four buttons and knob off to the best with the screen. Also, once you enter a menu, the knob turns counter clockwise to relocate on the list which for me is counter-intuitive. When you manage these minor user interface issues the stereo is rather good, however the exhaust note during spirited driving can be so appealing you could possibly would like to turn it off all together.
So the TTS is fun they are driving, and nice to look at. Surprisingly, you can tolerate too. With the seats folded down you have a decent amount of cargo room. Furthermore, i love that after the seats are folded up, plus the hatch is closed, the vista in the cargo compartment is completely blacked out. Like a photographer, thinking about having my expensive camera gear from sight, away from mind really puts me relaxed. I am able to fit two cameras, all of my lenses, two tripods, radios and cleaning gear. Also, at an average gas mileage of 23.6 mpg the TTS is pretty frugal with the quantity of fun it returns. You possibly will not get even towards the same utility out of your TTS that you will find for most of the other cars in the fleet, but just consider it — I understand I do not care.
Will the allure of our long-term Audi TTS coupe wear thin or should it always produce a higher smiles-per-mile quotient than alot of vehicles on the streets? Stay tuned for more.