Used 2014 Audi TT

With unique styling, impeccable build quality and thrilling driving dynamics, the 2014 Audi TT Coupe and Roadster offer year-round driving excitement in an affordable package that is both aggressive and luxurious. Although the loss of the high-performance TT RS model may upset some enthusiasts, the TT and TTS remain competent driving machines priced well within reason for most luxury buyers. With a choice of 2.0-liter turbocharged engines producing either 211 (TT) or 265 (TTS) horsepower, the TT is no slouch, plus its quattro all-wheel-drive system helps grip the road in a way the BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Cayman can’t match. The Roadster’s soft top, however, isn’t as convenient as having a retractable hardtop, but it isn’t as heavy or space hungry, either.

With the top down and the wind in our hair, we piloted our 2014 Audi TT Roadster down a winding strip of prime California costal highway. The TT may lack the precise turn-in found with the Boxster and Z4, but the way it holds in corners and its stable, smooth ride make us think all but the most zealous of drivers will find the trade-off more than acceptable. While we mourn the loss of the traditional manual shifter found on the terminated TT RS, Audi’s S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission left little to complain about. Top up, the TT is fairly quiet for a soft-top convertible, but the feeling inside the cockpit isn’t as secure or polished as with a retractable hardtop. In short, the TT offers a great ride, great power and great fuel economy. It’s a shame you can’t comfortably fit two more people in it. Then again, maybe not.

As a 4-passenger Coupe or 2-seat Roadster, the 2014 Audi TT offers a beautifully built and elegantly designed cabin. The flat-bottomed steering wheel and driver-friendly dashboard project a sporty feel. The TT Coupe’s rear seat is best suited for small children or professional contortionists, but it folds flat for extra luggage room and combines with the hatchback design to provide a high level of practicality. Most of the TT’s controls are straightforward and intuitive, though the optional navigation system’s control dial is mounted on the dash, which feels ergonomically off target.

Again in 2014, the Audi TT’s innovative design is the car’s signature feature, and though some might compare its shape to an overturned bathtub, there’s no denying it makes a striking visual statement. To help maintain the Roadster’s sleek appearance, the multi-layer soft top folds flat into the rear shelf. Generous use of aluminum helps reduce overall weight and increase structural rigidity. The TTS and TT models receive last year’s S line package and standard 19-inch alloy wheels, while all models benefit from Audi’s signature LED daytime running lights and an automatically retractable rear spoiler.

S TRONIC DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
In congested city traffic, it’s a smooth-shifting automatic. On the track, it’s a swift-shifting, pedal-free manual gearbox. The standard S tronic transmission is another example of the 2014 Audi TT’s remarkable ability to adapt to a variety of driving situations.

POWER RETRACTABLE SOFT TOP
Concerns about interior noise levels have convinced some carmakers to substitute heavy and complex retractable-hardtop systems for cloth roofs, but the Audi TT Roadster’s triple-layer soft top suppresses outside wind and road noise very effectively.

Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard issue on every 2014 TT model, a key distinguishing feature in a class predominantly occupied by rear-wheel-drive sports cars. Premium Plus and Prestige trims have been dropped in favor of a single, well appointed TT. Standard equipment includes a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel with integrated paddle shifters, 10-way power front seats with pseudo-suede inserts and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Surprisingly, a basic USB port with iPod connectivity requires the optional MMI Navigation system. Passenger protection includes six airbags and Audi’s backguard seats, which are designed to reduce the severity of whiplash-related injuries.

Options include Audi’s navigation system plus with rear backup sensors and Audi Music Interface (AMI). If you dread the characteristically harsh ride of traditional sport-tuned suspension setups, we suggest you opt for the TT’s available magnetic ride system, which automatically adjusts suspension damping based on road conditions and driving style. A Black Optic package is available on the TTS and includes gloss black grille surround, carbon fiber exterior mirror housings and 15-spoke, 19-inch wheels in Titanium finish.

2014 Audi TT models offer a choice of two turbocharged engines, both powerful, responsive and efficient. The TT uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making 211 horsepower and the TTS has the same basic engine tuned for 265 horsepower. The only transmission is a 6-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic. All TT’s have Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive as standard equipment.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
211 horsepower @ 4,300-6,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/31 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
265 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/31 mpg