Portadown Audi The Audi TT Roadster Independent review

TARGET PRICE: £26,915 - £31,535

PRICE: £26,915 - £31,535

FOR: More than half of the TT is made of aluminium, so it's light and agile. Both engines are extremely potent, so the drive is sensational. Solid build, a high-class interior and strong residuals make it fantastic to buy and own.

AGAINST: Visibility with the roof up isn't great, and the boot is a bit small for your holiday luggage.

Performance (5 out of 5 stars)
There are only two engines for the TT: a 197bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, and a 247bhp 3.2-litre V6. Both use six-speed manual gearboxes, and both are available with the excellent six-speed, S Tronic paddle-shift semi-automatic gearbox. The 3.2-litre V6 is strong and smooth, but the 2.0-litre is the gem - its free-revving nature delivers brisk performance, yet it's still extremely flexible in town.

Ride & handling (5 out of 5 stars)
You hardly notice that the roof has been chopped off because the body is so stiff. The ride is firm at low speeds, but body control is excellent; turn into corners is pin-sharp and there's bags of grip. The good news for those on a budget is that the lighter, front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre version feels more alert and more fun than the more expensive, more powerful four-wheel-drive V6.

Refinement (4 out of 5 stars)
Tall drivers have to sit low to avoid having their hair blown about, but an electric wind-blocker thwarts any icy blast to your neck. The 2.0-litre engine has a throaty exhaust rap, and the V6 emits a mechanical growl - both in keeping with the sportiness of the car.

Buying & owning (4 out of 5 stars)
High demand may mean you'll have to wait for your new TT, but that desirability will be reflected by strong residual values when you sell it on. It also makes the car a relatively cheap contract hire proposition, given its list price. Running costs are also reasonable, with the 2.0-litre car returning 36.2mpg, but if you make the most of the performance, you'll run up a hefty tyre bill.

Quality & reliability (4 out of 5 stars)
We don't know yet how the TT will fare when it comes to reliability, but the materials used in its construction are first-rate. However, the previous TT performed no better than average in our reliability surveys.

Safety & security (4 out of 5 stars)
The TT comes with decent levels of safety kit, including front and side airbags. Electronic stability control is standard. The strong locks and an effective immobiliser made the old TT top coupe in our Security Supertest, so we expect the new car to be just as secure.

Behind the wheel (4 out of 5 stars)
Some of the intricate detailing of the old car's cabin has been dropped, but the overall look is cohesive and attractive. The flat-bottomed sports steering wheel looks great, and all the controls work efficiently. The driving position is also excellent, thanks to full adjustment for the seat and wheel. However, side and rear visibility isn't good.

Space & practicality (3 out of 5 stars)
The cabin is plenty spacious, as there's loads of head-, shoulder- and legroom. The boot is bigger than the old car, but not quite up to a couple's holiday luggage. There's not a great deal of space for odds and ends.

Equipment (4 out of 5 stars)
The TT's sharp styling is enhanced by alloy wheels, and standard luxuries include climate control, remote central locking and Alcantara and leather upholstery. You'll also find electric windows and mirrors. Options include metallic paint, reversing sensors, satellite-navigation and swivelling headlights to help you see round corners.