2016 Audi TT: Audi’s Tantalising, Topless TT Twins

A brief, daylong interlude in Majorca, Spain, promised to be a welcome break from the frigid grip of winter in Canada. The fleeting journey to the Balearic Islands was made even sweeter because I was going to test drive a convertible roadster, which is always a treat, especially when the weather is beautiful. 

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t as balmy as anticipated, with daytime temperatures barely touching 6 degrees Celsius under overcast skies and scattered rain. The 2016 Audi TT Roadster, however, compensated for the uncooperative weather by rewarding with an exceptionally engaging driving experience. And, yes, the top came down.

• Also: 2016 Audi TT and TTS: We're Driving Them This Week
• Also: Audi Virtual Cockpit - A New Approach for Interior Design

The first generation Audi TT Roadster was introduced in 1999, and it enters only its third generation for 2016. But it’s a significant upgrade, mirroring the changes made to its stable mate, the 2016 TT Coupe, which you can read about here.

In an unusual move among automakers, the latest generation Audi TT has actually shrunk in exterior dimensions. It has lost 2.1 cm in overall length, is 1 cm narrower, and is a scant 3 mm lower in overall height. Despite the new Roadster’s shorter length, its wheelbase has grown by 3.7 cm to 250.5 cm, which translates to less front and rear overhang, and a more muscular silhouette. Audi-philes will recognise the TT’s new fascia, which has a large, gaping-mouth grille and swept-back headlights inspired by the R8. 

The lack of a fixed roof means the chassis requires additional bracing, which when combined with the twin electric motors and the associated mechanism that raises and lowers the roof, increases the Roadster’s weight by 90 kilos (to 1,320 kg) over the Coupe.

New turbocharged inline four

Under the hood is a new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 230 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque in the TT, and 310 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque in the TTS. The new engine helps propel the Roadsters from zero to 100 km/h in 5.6 and 4.9 seconds respectively. These times are about two tenths slower than the TT and TTS Coupe, mostly due to the Roadster’s extra weight. 

Both the TT and TTS models will come with a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that is very efficient, and which can be operated in automatic mode or manually via steering-wheel paddles . It allows very fluid launches from a stop, and shifts with very quick, authoritative gear changes. Each gear change is accompanied by a not-too-subtle, but ear-tickling exhaust burble that emphasises the TT’s sporty nature. As with the previous-generation TT, the 2016 models will be available only with Quattro all-wheel-drive in Canada.

Of course, the TT Roadster’s most distinguishing feature is its fabric top, which is available in black, grey or beige. The electrically operated top can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 50 km/h, and either operation is accomplished in 10 seconds. It works as claimed with a single button on the centre console. 

When the top is down the cabin is remarkably tranquil, even at speeds slightly above 120 km/h, something that was emphasised when my co-driving partner leafed through some documents while I drove, and the paper barely ruffled in his lap. Lowering the top does not infringe on trunk capacity, which is 280 litres.

Audi’s virtual cockpit

The interior is exactly as we’ve come to expect from Audi: it is understated yet elegant, luxurious yet smart, and it is impeccably finished. The showcase item is the virtual cockpit, a new, optional 12.3-inch colour screen that replaces the standard gauges. This high-definition screen is configurable so you can customise the display; when in navigation mode, for instance, the high-resolution map is larger than any add-on navigation system on the market. The screen is twice as bright in the TT Roadster than in the Coupe so it’s easy to see with the top down. Also of note is that in the European model I drove the navigation system was very accurate, giving ample warning of upcoming turn offs, as well as detailed images of the road ahead.  

My test TT was equipped with the optional S sport seats, which are heated and include a heated headrest that blows a soothingly warm breeze at the back of your neck. This great little feature proved invaluable as I did my best to look cool with the top down in single-digit temperatures. Actually, because of the calm cocoon of air within the exposed cockpit, with the heat up to maximum and the seat heat on full the ride was actually very comfy, though if the temperature had dropped another couple of degrees, the top would have come up.

With the top up, the interior is a bit quieter than in the outgoing TT Roadster, and although there is some wind noise that infiltrates the cabin, it’s not intrusive or uncomfortable.

One cool roadster

The cool temperatures and damp pavement dictated that the driving approach would be less attack and more judicious. The pace was nonetheless surprisingly quick, and the TT exhibited excellent cornering manners and grip, aided by the available torque vectoring, which brakes the inside wheels slightly to help the car turn. With Dynamic mode selected, steering and suspension firmed up, and the transmission held gears longer for spirited acceleration, though I shifted manually, which offered quick and precise gear changes. Steering feel is just a tad numb, but rewarding nonetheless, enhanced by a taut chassis and a lack of body roll through turns. 

The TT pulls immediately from low revs, with a satisfyingly linear forward rush. A brief ride in the TTS revealed that it pulls harder and longer, though the power difference over the standard TT was felt more in the upper rev range, where it seemed to rev freer.  

The TT and TTS Roadster models will only be arriving in August, and pricing won’t be available until closer to that time. I suspect that pricing should be near the current levels of $54,600 for the TT roadster and $65,100 for the TTS.