It's not quite an all-out transformation into a road racer; the Recaros (upholstered in leather and nice touchy-feely alcantara) have three-point seatbelts rather than harnesses, the rear bracing strut isn't exactly a roll cage, and the cabin is still finished with niceties such as soft carpets, a decent audio system, climate control, electric windows and all the usual gadgets. Nonetheless, it does have a different atmosphere, and the improvement in performance is useful: top speed is 155mph (up from 151mph) and acceleration 0-60mph is now down from 6.6 seconds to 5.9 seconds, making it quicker off the mark than the 250bhp 3.2 V6 (0-60mph in 6.4 seconds). However, at £29,360, the quattro Sport is £550 more expensive than the V6.
Forgoing the two tiny rear seats is no great loss at all - you don't buy a car like this if you need a four-seater - and despite the bracing bar, the wide boot and hatchback tail allow for reasonable practicality for day-to-day-use. The front seats are more contentious: frankly, I found them thoroughly uncomfortable and climbing in and out was an undignified, awkward procedure. I'd defy even the proverbial finishing-school graduate to emerge gracefully without showing her knickers. They're the kind of thing I'd put up with in a stripped-out no-compromises sportster like a Caterham or Elise where they go with the territory, but in an otherwise premium-class posh sports coupe in combination with climate control, CD player and other refinements, they're just a pain.
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| Turbocharged 1.8-litre engine pushes out 240bhp |
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Once in the seat with no need to get out imminently, though, I'd forgive this TT a bit: although losing 49kg is not much more than the difference between taking a petite ladyfriend as your passenger or a beer-loving rugger player (if he could get into his seat in the first place), the difference between this model and the 225bhp TT is noticeable. It's less the extra 15bhp than the fact that the power peaks a little further down the rev range (5700rpm, instead of 5900rpm) and the 30lb ft torque increase where it matters between 2,300-5000rpm, all underlined by a very pleasant whistle from the turbo and a growly exhaust note. The tauter suspension sharpens it all a little, too, without losing the predictability and confidence-inspiring feel of lesser-powered TTs, and without playing havoc with the ride quality, which is on the firm side in all versions anyway.
Still, I can't help but see this model as more of a marketing ploy than a serious driver's car. The TT is never going to feel like an Elise or a Caterham, and nor should it try; where it excels is as a usable everyday road sports coupe, and judged on those merits, the cheaper 3.2 V6 remains the better buy, the more comfortable and refined option for real-life driving and the more accomplished all-rounder full stop.
