2010 Audi TTS

S tronic, which deploys two clutches, is capable of performing extremely quick gear shifts at high engine loads and rev speeds; consequently, the time taken to sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) is cut by a further two-tenths of a second in both the Coupe and Roadster. Loss-free transfer of power to the road is the task of the standard quattro permanent all-wheel drive that enables the TTS to accelerate quicker and with greater stability than its rivals. At the heart of this system is a hydraulic multi-plate clutch that works faster than ever thanks to a new pressure reservoir.

The TTS rolls off the production line equipped with yet another high-tech module – the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping system. This gives the driver the choice of two characteristic settings: “Standard” mode is designed for a wellbalanced, comfortable ride, whereas in the “Sport” setting the TTS harnesses all of the potential of its sports suspension – which lowers the body by 10 millimeters (0.39 in.) – to deliver uncompromisingly dynamic handling. Its front suspension is mainly made of aluminum, while the efficient technology of the precision electromechanical steering also helps to improve fuel consumption considerably. The sports car is safely brought to a standstill by the high-performance braking system with its 17-inch discs.

Yet another factor in the supreme performance of the TTS is the hybrid construction of its body. Steel is used at the rear end, while the front and center sections of the body are built from lightweight aluminum. ASF (Audi Space Frame) technology optimizes axle load distribution and reduces the overall weight. The manual Coupe weighs just 1,395 kilograms (3,075.45 lbs), which equates to a power-to-weight ratio of 5.1 kg/hp (11.24 lbs/hp).

Powerful looks: 18-inch wheels plus new headlights

The Audi TTS instantly stands out as the dynamic flagship of the TT model line. The standard 18-inch aluminum wheels are a highlight of the exterior design, as are the headlights, comprising newly designed bi-xenon units with LED daytime running lights. Inside, passengers are welcomed by deep-set sports seats trimmed in a mixture of leather and Alcantara, with Silk Nappa leather seat upholstery in four different color combinations available as an option. The gray instrument panel as well as the multifunctional steering wheel add further styling touches. The TTS Roadster comes with an electrohydraulic drive for the soft top, a power wind deflector, plus, for added practicality, a load-through facility. The rear seats in the Coupe have a split-folding design, allowing luggage capacity to be increased from 290 to 700 liters (10.24 to 24.72 cubic ft.).

The unveiling of the TTS also marks something of an anniversary for Audi: It was 10 years ago that the TT Coupe first took to the road, swiftly acquiring the status of design icon. And the TT has stayed firmly in the fast lane ever since.

Performance

5.2 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and a top speed governed at 250 km/h (155.34 mph) – these two key figures for the Coupe with S tronic dual-clutch transmission clearly spell out just how much performance the Audi TTS has to offer. The sports car with the four-ring badge is a classic driving machine – powerful, fast and light, rigorously faithful to its concept and to applying it systematically.

The high efficiency of the TFSI engine is typical of Audi. The two-liter power unit mobilizes all of 265hp, yet the average fuel consumption in the Coupe version is a very abstemious 8.0 liters (29.40 mpg). In the Roadster, the figure is 8.2 liters per 100 km (28.68 mpg). In combination with S tronic, consumption is cut by a further one-tenth and two-tenths of a liter respectively.

When driven in laid-back style, the ultra-powerful TFSI engine shows resplendent poise – its 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) available constantly from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm gives it a broad torque plateau.

When the supercharged direct-injection unit is put to the test, however, it gladly displays its sport engine credentials. It responds to the accelerator directly and with plenty of bite, revving up to 6,800 rpm with playful ease. Yet throughout, the powerful TFSI delivers a sound that blends power with harmony thanks to the elaborate fine-tuning work that went into its intake and exhaust system.

The manual six-speed transmission of the TTS harmonizes perfectly with this dynamic character. Audi can also supply the dynamic S tronic as an option, again with six speeds. With its two clutches, the high-tech transmission changes gear even faster than the sportiest driver. Plus it trims two-tenths of a second off the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) – reducing the figure to 5.2 seconds for the Coupe and 5.4 seconds for the Roadster.

quattro: even more grip, even more driving enjoyment

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive that distributes power between all four wheels if need be makes the TTS a genuine exception in the compact sports car segment. The latest version of this system responds even faster when the grip beneath the wheels changes. quattro technology continues to transfer the engine’s entire power to the road where competitors with only two driven wheels start to find it difficult to maintain traction – whether on slippery surfaces or when accelerating early out of a bend.

The TTS Coupe and TTS Roadster weigh in at a very light unladen weight of 1,395 and 1,455 kilograms (3075.42 and 3207.69 lb) respectively, and their power-to-weight ratio is 5.1 and 5.3 kilograms per hp (11.24 and 11.68 lb/hp). Their highly rigid, predominantly aluminum bodies are the basis for excellent handling – giving the TTS the dynamism of a top athlete in this respect as well.

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