2019 Audi TTS review - Is the third-gen facelift a pretender or a real rival?

The third-gen Audi TT/TTS received some mild tweaks recently which has made it appear more modern, aggressive and feel sportier to drive.

Farzana Chaumoo

24 Dec 2019 · 16:07Automotive News

The Audi TT has been around for over 20 years now. At the time it was hard to believe that Audi launched such a car but this model has grown to not only be a range staple but an established sub-brand that we can’t imagine Audi without. The current third-gen TT was initially unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and has received a facelift in 2018.

Audi SA launched this facelifted model a few months ago which we got to test recently and here’s what we’ve gathered about it.

Styling

Despite it being a little faster than its outgoing model, the latest facelifted TT and TTS (TT in S form) have received a cosmetic makeover that includes remodelled bumpers and some minor changes to its minimalist interior.

In addition to the bumpers, there’s a three-dimensional single frame radiator grille and large side air inlets which accentuate the vehicle’s width. The low-slung seats and digital driver’s display have been retained, however, the TTS’s screen has a special display mode that imitates the large central rev counter found in the RS – which is no longer available in the local lineup.

Under the steel fuel tank cover, there is no cap and this allows direct contact with the fuel nozzle like a race-car.

Both the TT and TTS feature LED headlamps as standard, while matrix LED lights are optional.

We all know, trends come and go and the craze of the small coupe is kind-of dying out but great driving dynamics are timeless and this is where the TTS gets to shine.

Drive & Performance

The TT utilises the Volkswagen Group MQB platform and shares architecture and powertrain parts with the Volkswagen Golf. But the Golf-based platform and engines wasn’t enough for the TT. It was when the small two-door coupe was directed as a design statement, that’s when its popularity shot through the roof and made it a runaway success.

The TTS Coupé quattro S tronic that we tested is powered by a powerful 2.0-litre petrol turbo that puts out maximum power of 228 kW and peak torque of 400 Nm, which is channelled through quattro all-wheel drive and the latest seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. It rockets from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and boy, is it quick! Both the TT and TTS is said to max out at 250km/h.

The TTS is a car you can drive quickly, although it’s not as engaging as a BMW M2 and you won’t break track day lap records with it as you would, in say, the Porsche 718 Cayman, but one thing is, it does hold itself well on the road.

Good fun can be had in the TTS and when all you’re done, its standard adaptive suspension will help the car settle into a reasonably comfortable cruise. Refinement is great too, there’s not a lot of wind or road noise that penetrates the cabin, even at speed. It’s easy to drive around the city and there’s good visibility all around from the driver’s seat which is also helped by the reasonably slim door pillars.

Overall, the TTS is an exceptional and petit sports car, and one that is really good as a ‘daily’ too.

Space and Comfort

The outgoing model had great supportive front seats and this has also been retained in the new TTS. The latest model also offers adjustable lumbar support which will reduce backache on long drives sufficiently. I didn’t get to do a long-distance trip in the TTS but I can vouch for the seats comfortability. Having done a 720 km trip to the coast, and a return 720 km trip, in a vehicle that had seats without lumbar support, I can tell you how very important this is.

The front seats can accommodate both tall and short passengers equally well, offering enough space and plenty of seat adjustment options. Short drivers fear not, unlike the Mercedes-Benz SLK that limits seat movement forward, the TTS will allow you to go as forward as you’d like or as you’d need to be.

The same comfort can’t be said for the rear seats as rear passenger space is tight. Two small kids may be ok in the back but fitting a child seat seems like it may be a bit of a hassle.

For a compact sports car, boot space is decent. Actually, who am I fooling, the 305-litre loadbay is pretty miserly when compared to the BMW M2 and Porsche 718 Cayman. I’m not too sure if suitcases will fit but you can flip the back seats down (in a two-way 50:50 split) to increase space with which you can “fit a bike with one of its wheels removed”. I’m not sure who exactly has time in their life to be taking bicycles apart, just the thought of the amount of work and effort in doing that makes me tired, but that’s the space you’ll get. In case you’re one of those people thinking, “I have time and effort in my life for that”, I’m sure you could just buy a bike carrier accessory from Audi that will be useful. And don’t expect any handy underfloor storage, there isn’t any of that either.

Storage space in the TTS cabin is pretty decent offering several storage cubbies. Door bins are large enough to hold bottles and there’s a cupholder in the centre console. The central armrest is big enough to stash away a camera and there’s also a handy tray in front of the gear lever that allows for wireless mobile charging.

Safety

The driver assistance systems in the TTS are meant to relieve the driver of work, so you can fully concentrate on the road. The line-up extends from the lane change assist, Audi side assist and park assist with a display of the surroundings and a rearview camera.

Price

The Audi TTS Coupé quattro S tronic is priced at R782 000 while the Audi TT Coupé 45 TFSI S tronic is priced at R 670 00. Both models come standard with the 5 year/100 000 km Audi Freeway plan and inclusive of all taxes.