Audi TT 45 TFSI - Entry Level Weapon

Audi TT 45 TFSI – Entry Level Weapon

17 October 2019 Redazione News, Tested

AUDI TT

CALIBER 45

Words by Andrea Balti / Photos by Daniél Rikkard

Tell me that I’m boring, but in my life I’ve only had five cars and three of them were TT. I put in the garage the first gen, a 1.8 Turbo with only front-wheel drive and 180 horses that at the time (they were the first 2000s) certainly made more impression than today. I didn’t have the courage to sell it, but having reached a consistent mileage (186,000 km) I chose to trade it and go for a Roadster version, same engine. A few years later it was the moment of the second generation, a leap forward in terms of performance thanks to the 272-horsepower of the TTS engine, this time with a double-clutch automatic transmission and traction on both axles. A few years ago I sold it and, just for the moment, I switched to something more spacious. That is why I have booked myself light years ahead when I heard that at the office there was a rumor that the new TT would soon be part of our test schedule. An opportunity I would not have missed for anything in the world, partly because this one could really be the TT’s swansong.

Even faster than expected, I found myself sitting at the wheel of what is considered the entry level of the new TT range, while still offering automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and enough horses to be the fastest hairdresser in the neighborhood. Jokes aside, there is a new naming game that, if it should have the task of simplifying things, first confused me slightly, almost making me believe that I ended up driving a Mercedes. The number 45 identifies the version with 245 horses (to be honest there is also a less powerful with 197 hp), driven by a 4-cylinder TFSI 2-liter, which thanks to a turbocharger provides 370 Nm of torque on both axles courtesy of a 7-speed double clutch. For the record, the TT keeps its compact dimensions intact and a weight that with the driver on board remains around a ton and a half.

Not bad if we consider that it has always proved to be a cutting-edge 2-doors, able to stow two people on the tiny rear seats – at least for small journeys – and at the same time offer a generous load compartment in the trunk, which thanks to the tailgate it is not only convenient for loading bulky items, but practical once you decide to fold down the back seats, expanding the load capacity and ensuring all the space you need for your holidays with your sweet half. An everyday sports car, this is the definition that has always been given to the TT from Audi, but I have always found that there was something more, an added value inherent in the design that in 1998 left everyone speechless and that with the passing generations and their respective updates has been refined up to the current restyling, a riot of straight lines resting on that unmistakable wedge shape, edges and details that thanks to the Blue Turbo color of the model of our test are further stretched. And then have you seen the interior? As soon as you open the door, you are literally assaulted by an environment that could be a candidate for the Grand Prix of modern and minimalist design. The sports seats of the S-Line package have their sides finished in the same color of the exterior, ditto for other details on the dashboard. On the new TT there is no longer a touch screen between driver and front passenger, but everything is focused towards the driver, who can control every parameter of the car, the multimedia system and the sat-navigator via the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit (as standard) placed behind the steering wheel.

On a dynamic level, the TT changes considerably depending on the driving mode you decide to use and despite the fact that it comes as a cute coupe, the 245 under the bonnet are enough to move fast. On this model there are huge 20-inch wheels and brakes powerful and precise enough to be forgiven for the ultrasonic whistles caused by the pad compound. You are literally enveloped into the cockpit and with the complete perception of the dimensions you can then throw this kind of big blue pill towards a road that is able to bless and free the QUATTRO version of the 45 caliber at my disposal. Despite the valves opened in Dynamic mode, the exhaust maintains a rather subdued tone, not giving the right soundtrack to the elasticity of such a turbocharged 4-cylinder. As you could expect, torque is ready at low revs – just 1,600 – and this brings the stopwatch to mark a 0-100 kph of just 5.2 seconds. Do you remember we are talking about the entry level TT, right? It is then in the middle of some bends, when you have to get busy and point the steering wheel towards the next corner, that you realize that the understeer is reduced to the minimum and practically absent when the asphalt allows an optimal grip on the tires, while managing the gearbox in sequential mode using the paddles on the steering is a pleasure for precision and rapidity of engagement.

At the end of the day, I go home and park once again “my” TT in the garage, right over the tire marks left by my previous Audi years ago. I look at it for a moment before turning off the lights and letting it rest until the following morning, when another day of testing awaits. Thing is that already after the first few hours it was immediately made clear to me that the third generation TT will leave many good memories and just one regret because we might not see any further evolution – even if after the current RS with its 400 horses, there is really to wonder where there could ever be room for any improvement. If you are looking for a coupe (or convertible) with an unmistakable shape, great for practicality and for a simple drive but able for sheer pleasure too thanks to a virtually impeccable engine/gearbox/traction combination, the TT 45 TFSI is made for you. Prices start at just under € 50,000 and then you can browse through an almost endless number of options. Don’t call it entry level, it is a complete car, mature and worthy heir to an instant classic that has made its name strong and that will leave a void in the hearts of fans.