Audi TT facelift

THE TT has been a roaring success since it was introduced in 1998 – and that’s not likely to change. Audi has struck a chord with style-conscious buyers who can’t get enough and keep coming back for more. These latest changes are not the most dramatic, but they’re beneficial. They’ve kept the car looking fresh and brought it bang-up-to-date with the rest of the range. More power and lower costs from the 2.0 TFSI engine are a step in the right direction, too.

It's a new look for the Audi TT! With stiff competition from Volkswagen’s Scirocco, plus new entrants to the market such as Peugeot’s stunning RCZ, the German firm needs to keep the trendy coupé at the top of its game. So the TT has gone under the knife with a series of tweaks both on the outside and under the skin.

The changes are subtle, especially to the exterior, but look closely and it’s possible to spot a number of fresh styling touches. A new front bumper is the main visual update, with bigger air intakes and chrome-ringed driving lamps. A strip of 12 LED daytime running lights has been added beneath each headlamp to bring the TT up-to-date with the rest of Audi’s range.

Four new colours are also available – Dakota Grey as shown here (offered with a pearlescent finish on S line-spec cars), Oolong Gray, Volcano Red and Scuba Blue. A new set of alloy wheels and a rear air diffuser complete thefreshened-up look on the outside.

Inside, the steering wheel, doors and centre console all get new aluminium touches, while the switches and air vents have a glossy finish. There are also three new trim colours available – Nougat Brown, Titanium Grey and Garnet Red.

The most significant changes by far are beneath the bonnet. Out goes the 3.2-litre V6 – the new line-up features four-cylinder turbo units only. Audi’s boffins have fettled the VW Group’s familiar 2.0-litre TFSI engine to eke out another 11bhp, which brings total power up to 208bhp.

That means, when it’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the 0-62mph time is down from 6.6 seconds to 6.1 and the top speed is up by 3mph to 152mph. Fuel economy has risen from 36.7 to 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions are down from 183 to 154g/km.

Without a previous model to compare it to, it’s difficult to notice the differences in the new TT from behind the wheel, but the car feels slightly more responsive. The engine is brimming with torque and there’s plenty of punch in any gear. And it’s still a fine-handling sports car with sharp manners.

It is no bad thing that you’re most likely to notice the changes at the pumps and when you pay for your annual road fund duty disc – the new model with the 2.0 TFSI engine is £45 per year cheaper to tax.

A significant addition is the Sport button: previously fitted to the TT RS, this is now an option for buyers who specify Audi’s magnetic adaptive dampers on any TT model. It’s a must for keen drivers as it sharpens up the throttle responses, adds extra meat to the steering and gives the exhausts more bark.

The cabin is well built and exudes quality but, again, that’s no different to TTs of old, and it’s tricky to spot the changes without jumping in and out of the outgoing model.

The alterations might be subtle, but the latest TT is certain to continue to go down a storm. More power, lower running costs and the same blend of sweet handling and stylish looks mean Audi is still on to a winner.