The Audi TT is one of the most expensive small cars you can buy. We think missing out on all the cool options is a stupid idea, so we're going to look at another way to pinch the pennies. Last year, Audi announced the Mk3 2-door would be available with a 1.8-liter entry-level engine.
It's taken a while, but deliveries have started, and we've found an acceleration video. It features a yellow roadster press car with the S line package and said 1.8. Sadly, we can't confirm the exact part code of the DSG-type gearbox.
Even before the acceleration test, we noticed something interesting. The average fuel consumption over the last 21 minutes of driving was an amazing 8 liters per 100 kilometers (29.4 mpg). For a new engine, that's pretty good. What's more, the average speed of 28 km/h suggests urban driving. You're not going to get much more out a unless you travel longer distances.
Of course, a diesel engine is always going to be more frugal, but that's not the point here.
When you buy the 1.8 TFSI engine, the price drops dropped to €32,100 for the Coupe and €34,500 in the case of the Roadster, which is about €3,000 less than the equivalent 2.0 TFSI models in Europe.
Weight is another advantage of this 1.8 TFSI unit, or rather the lack of it. At 1,285 kilos (2,832 pounds), driver included, this version is 65 kg (143 pounds) lighter than the 2.0 TDI one. With the roadster that we are being shown here, the picture is less rosy, as the minimum weight is 1,375 kg (3,031 pounds). But that's still about the same as a Golf GTI.
Unlike with the TT 2.0 TFSI, you can't use launch control here. So the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) time is 7 seconds for the coupe and 7.2 for the convertible. It's slow compared to other TT models, but still on par with something like the Renault Megane GT.
Editor's note: The fact that the torque of the turbo engine is limited to 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque suggests we are dealing with the same DSG gearbox as in the Polo GTI.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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