Audi TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Audi TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI
Prices: £23,910 – on the road
Insurance Group: 16 [est]
Emissions: 159g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 7.4s / Max Speed 139mph
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 40.9mpg
Safety: Twin front & side airbags / ABS / stability control
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4178/1842/1352

Roadster 1.8 TFSI - the noble machine

Our Rating: No Rating Available

When Andy Enright reports that the TT Roadster doesn't need to be great to succeed, cynics would easily conclude that the model was a failure. But that would be far from the truth because, Andy concluded his report by saying; ?that doesn't mean Audi are taking any chances?. Taking a detailed look into the design and build of the TT Roadster 1.8 explains the reason that statement is so true.

One is most likely to spot the flat-bottom steering wheel first as soon as the car door is opened, then the exquisite mood of the car's interior is revealed; the leather and suede sports seats, large, non-slip aluminium pedals, a firm multi-functional leather coated wheel rim and a roomy rear. In short, the design of the TT the Roadster 1.8 has a sporty tone.

This 17-inch alloy wheeled TT Roadster is shod with 245/45 tyre and the Tyre Mobility System too. It is installed with a CD player, leather hand brake grip, Drivers information system, branded floor mats, and aluminium interior detailing.

It also features a very fast electrically operated soft-top, electrically controlled windows, power operated wind deflectors as well as heated door mirrors. It is further fitted with front and rear fog lights, halogen headlamps, retractable rear spoiler.

Its three-spoke sports flat-bottomed Servotronic (electromechanical and speed-sensitive) power-assisted steering leather steering is every drivers' delight.

The1.8 TFSI has a four-cylinder direct injection engine with turbocharge of 1,798cc. It attains a speed of 62 mph is about 7.4 seconds and can a maximum speed of 139 mph. The engine is one of Audi's most impressive despite its compact size with only 158bhp.

It uses a turbocharger with a peak power which is achieved constantly from 4,500rpm to 6,200rpm and maximum torque of 250Nm is available from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm. It delivers its maximum torque of 184lb ft between 1,500-4,500rpm ? The result is an engine that's keen to rev and reacts pleasantly at low speeds.

Wherever you drive it ? urban crawl commuting where it consumes 32.8mpg of fuel or fast-flowing motorways with 53.3 fuel consumption or the combined 43.5 ? the 1.8 TFSI performs smoothly and willingly. All made even more pleasurable by the six-speed manual gearbox's satisfying and clean change action. It is a ?green? car with CO2 emissions of 159g/km.

Safety is taken care of with driver and passenger front airbags as well as front-side airbags installed, front passenger seat Isofix fittings with an airbag de-activation switch, ABS, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Stability Programme and roll-over protection hoops.

This TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI is 1358mm high, 4178mm long and 1842mm wide with an engine size of 1798cc. The Roadster is unexpectedly spacious with a 250-litre boot that more than makes up for its shallowness with its length.

The Roadster's boot takes the same amount of luggage irrespective of whether the roof is up or down. Underneath the boot floor is more storage space for the spare wheel.

The only down side of the Roadster is that it is down on power; but that doesn't matter too much because it still has the joy of driving ingrained on its mechanical soul.