Audi TT 2004 Review

Given a new spirit six years into its enduring life cycle, the TT is now running with six cylinders and the direct shift gearbox (DSG) system that made its debut on the A3 diesel earlier this year.

What is now clearer is just how good DSG goes about its changes – smoothly and with the efficiency no driver anywhere could match using a manual transmission.

The 3.2-litre V6-powered TT with the DSG box – which gives you the choice of D for drive, S for sport or sequential mode with steering-mounted paddle shifts – will be available from January 1, 2005, for $95,600.

Inside there are few changes save for an aluminium surround for the DSG gearbox.

But the piece de resistance is the marriage between the 184kW V6 to the DSG transmission which is even sweeter than in the diesel.

DSG at the moment is fine for transverse-mounted engines.

But it is not yet refined enough for longitudinal powerplants which is why Porsche is saying it needs more development before it buys into DSG.

The twin clutch DSG in the V6-powered TT is smart, smooth and swift, taking merely .2sec to change cogs.

When the next gear shift is near, an appropriate gear is preselected but its clutch disengaged.

Shifting gears opens the clutch of the activated gear while the other clutch closes at the same time with a degree of overlap.

In application the shifts are smooth and lightning fast and it is a bit of a foolproof set-up in that you don't have to match road speed with engine speed for a controlled shift.

In S for Sport mode everything becomes livelier. The downshifts and upshifts are not as long and everything is done with a lot more urgency.

There also is a launch control mechanism, although not as aggressive as in the screaming M3, it is accessed by slotting the shifter into S, switching off the ESP and feeding the revs to about 3200rpm for a fiery take-off.

In keeping with the power changes which also include 320Nm of torque available from between 2800rpm-3200rpm there are upgraded anti-roll bars, upgraded brakes, sports suspension and the all-paw bite of quattro.

Distinguishing features on the exterior are larger air intakes in the nose, titanium finish Xenon headlamps, larger rear spoiler and a modified exhaust system.

Audi says that every time it has launched a new variant since the car was launched here in May, 1999, almost a year after being launched in Europe, it has experienced a spike in sales.

Out of the 330 TTs expected to be sold in 2005, Audi says 180 will be coupes with up to 30 per cent V6s.

If you discount the HSV Coupe 4 with its V8 engine, the V6 TT is the only car in its class – which features the 3-litre BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK as its chief competitors – to feature all-wheel-drive.