Audi TT 2012 review

Blood banks give you a cup of tea, a biscuit and a lie down in exchange for a litre of your best red.

Giving blood helps out your fellow man and the only downside is you feel a bit drained after the exercise. You won't be alone. The Audi TT 2.0 TDI is the automotive equivalent of the after-effects of donating blood. Pity is, the effects aren't temporary.

Adding a turbo-diesel engine to the TT coupe effectively, completely and irreversibly changes it from a lithe, nimble and lustful coupe into a bloodless carriage. Honestly, a Corolla could be more fun.

VALUE

Not a lot. My calculator says the $68,950 petrol-fuelled version is streets better. For example, the petrol TT costs $4850 less than the $73,800 TDI tested here. The price difference in fuel per year is $107. 

That means it'll take 45 years for the modest fuel economy benefits of the diesel to pay for itself. But I admit that, the drivetrain aside, the TDI is as sweet as any TT, is a wonderful handler, is comfortable (for two) and perfectly made.

DESIGN

It just looks like a work of art. That raked tail, slim headlights and in-ya-face vertical and impossibly overdone grille are disparate design cues that, remarkably, meld into an iconic shape. Most people love the TT. It signifies perfection, style and performance and indicates the owner has a few spare dollars in his pocket.

The cabin is beautifully minimalistic. Some switches are so small and so randomly placed that it may take hours to find them. Ah, those Germans. How many other carmakers make a game out of operating the car? Bad news includes the useless rear seats and the lack of a spare wheel.

TECHNOLOGY

The 125kW/350Nm engine drives all wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch auto, assisted where necessary by paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The body is a blend of aluminium and steel which gets the coupe's weight down to a trim 1280kg.

Well, at least for the 2-litre petrol model because the diesel version is a porky 140kg heavier. It has a six-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission. That's one cog less than the petrol engine's seven-speed box but the diesel copes thanks to its prodigious torque.

SAFETY

Surprisingly, this is rated as a four-star car. Partly that's because there's not much difference to the first-generation TT.

There's also four airbags - I hate to be fussy but six is now considered the bare minimum - but no complaints about the sophistication of the brake and chassis components and electronic aids. No spare tyre but there's aerosol sealant and a compressor. Good luck with that.

DRIVING

You've probably noticed I'm a little peeved. The concept of a diesel in a sports coupe probably makes sense in Europe where diesel is about the same price as petrol and the extra fuel economy reduces refuelling stops as one cruises the autobahns.

Maybe some driver's prefer the punch of the diesel's torque. But no, it doesn't work in Australia and even the calculator agrees. The TT's handling is predictable and the all-wheel drive “quattro” system is so secure, especially in the wet. 

But pick a tight series of corners and you can feel the extra weight of the diesel version, especially in the nose. The diesel also makes the wrong exhaust noise - it's more a dull, low-speed vibration than the petrol's full symphonic range - and that sours the drive.

VERDICT

It's a car you want to love. But your wallet - and your ears - win here and make the petrol model a far sweeter proposition. Or two 86s.

Audi TT 2.0 TDI

Price: $73,800
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km, roadside assist
Resale: 51%
Service interval: 12 months
Safety rating: 4-star
Spare: none
Engine: 2-litre 4-cyl turbo-diesel 125kW/350Nm
Transmission: 6-spd dual-clutch auto, AWD Body: 4.2m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.4m (h)
Weight: 1420kg Thirst: 5.5 1/100km; 144g/km Co2