Audi TT 2005 review

It's a quick machine, but the real secret to its acceleration lies not in the engine – though that's a beauty – but the rapid-fire gear changes of a unique transmission.

DSG is an electronic double-clutch system attached to Audi's six-speed manual gearbox.

Simply, it's a clutchless manual. But it gets complex because there are two clutches.

One clutch is engaged and driving the wheels while the other has already picked up the next gear and is poised to engage. Then the two clutches swap duties.

What it means is an almost seamless gear change, far faster than you and I can ram through the box of a manual transmission.

But it's not all about speed. The gears are fed into the drivetrain under full load -- you don't back off the accelerator – so there's maximum power for maximum performance.

The DSG – for Direct-Shift Gearbox – has a gear lever like an automatic, so you can pop it into Drive or manually flick the lever in the Tiptronic mode. You can also click up and down the gears using the steering-wheel paddles.

That aside, the 3.2-litre V6 that is a tweaked version of the Golf R32 engine, is a gem that boasts heaps of torque and a keen ability to rev hard.

When driven hard, the TT V6 is a neat machine. The all-wheel-drive system needs a lot of provoking to break away and even then it's a smooth slide starting with a bit of understeer. To correct that tendency, simply lift off the accelerator and the back comes around – all very controlled.

It's also the first time Audi has fitted a transverse engine to one of its cars. This is important because, unlike its other models, the engine isn't hanging out in front of the axles to potentially upset the handling.

The TT's steering is firm but not especially communicative, and the odd near-vertical placement of the wheel isn't as awkward as I first thought.

Though I was having bags of fun out on the track, the TT didn't always play ball.

Primarily the DSG overrides your desire to take the engine to the limit, meaning even though you have selected the manual-shift mode, it bales out and picks a higher gear.

That's safe for the engine, but not especially welcome when you're halfway through a bend.

But the TT V6 is still the pick of the TT range, even though it's expensive.

There's precious little room inside the cabin for anyone but two occupants. Sure, there are lovely leather seats in the back, but you won't fit if you have legs and a head.

The boot that sits under the steeply raked rear glass is actually quite accommodating, though there's a dreadful spacesaver tyre beneath.

Equipment levels are excellent, though visibility from the driver's chair is pretty poor.