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Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Cabriolet – Geoff Capes Need Not Apply…

AU_078_sI’m not sure why God created the Midlands. He obviously wasn’t a petrol head because the roads are terrible – especially if you are travelling across country, rather than to the north, or south.

The whole A-road network around Birmingham seems to consist of A-roads choked up with heavy goods vehicles, chugging along at 50mph, or oversize tractors which seem to have become the new caravan. Awful.

I’m just returned from a six hour slog to interview Geoff Capes, a former Commonwealth gold medallist and the World’s Strongest Man, twice. Geoff is now 27-stone and breeds budgies (it’s true) but he once appeared in a Volkswagen Polo commercial, lifting the supermini off the ground. He split ten pairs of trousers in the process.

Geoff now drives a Discovery and there’s no doubt he would have tossed the Audi TT to one side if I had blocked him in on the driveway. The TT isn’t a Geoff Capes sort of car but it’s roomy enough for a pipsqueak like me. Plus the folding soft top means the roof mechanism doesn’t eat into the boot space.

Size isn’t everything and the TT’s small cabin is perfect in every other way. Large blokes need not apply.

 

 

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Audi TT Roadster – Budget Open Top

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You can buy a diesel TT Roadster and pay more for a litre of fuel – or enjoy a few mpg less in this 1.8 TFSI petrol version. There was a time when it was a straight choice between fuel economy or performance – cars like this blur the lines and make the choice a tough one.

The current Audi TT was launched way back in 2007. A new version is due soon but it’s a testament to the style of design of the car that both the Roadster and Coupe still look exceptionally smart cars.

New on the driveway today, the 1.8 Roadster is eye-catching indeed. And as I’m off on a long journey to Lincolnshire later, I’m excited at the prospect of 120 miles of A-road to enjoy it on.

This may be the slowest car in the TT range but a quick drive to the station this morning has really whet my appetite. More tomorrow when I will have nudged the fuel gauge significantly…

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Tuesday – A Sophisticated Lion

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No offence to Peugeot but I never thought I would claim a Peugeot could be sophisticated. They’ve built some incredible hot hatchbacks over the years but sophisticated? No.

Before I drove the RCZ for the first time last year, I would have put it in the bling category – plenty of flash but not much substance.

There is, however, a lot more to the RCZ than meets the eye. The devil is in the detail and after sitting in the cabin for ten minutes, it’s quite clear that this is a luxuriously equipped, well built car with all the trimmings.

Does it compete with an Audi TT? I think it does. The original TT was a masterclass in design – the latest model borrows to many parts from across the range. The unique, design-led feel of the first model has gone.

In that respect, the RCZ wins hands down. It’s better on the inside and, some will think, prettier on the outside too. However, the ride and handling aren’t as good as the Audi and the premium brand TT badge alone will be enough to sway most buyers.