Road-trip ready, to some degree
Surprising, perhaps, that belongings and bags for a two-person, week-long trip fit into the TTS's trunk and rear-seats. Some suitcase Tetris may be required, though there's no need to leave the TTS out of your weekend travel plans unless your rear-seat passengers are grown-ups.
With quattro, heated seats, headlamp washers and automatic climate control, said travel plans can take place even in a nasty snowstorm, if need be.
Though cargo space poses no issue, the passenger compartment may leave some wishing for a touch more room. It's snug, not cramped, but things do tighten up quickly if you're wearing heavy winter clothing. A bit more interior storage for at-hand items would have been appreciated, too.
Biggest pain? There's no arm-rest. Eventual frustration in trying to park my right elbow led me to utilize two extra-large coffees in the cupholder instead.
The ride is a tricky beast to nail down. Audi's 'S' cars are typically comfortable given their capabilities, though the TTS's short wheelbase amplifies the effects of the stiff shocks and optional 19-inch alloys. The ride can be jarring if you're unable to avoid a nasty pothole, so this correspondent recommends the smaller 18-inchers for a bit more give-- unless you live in a town with perfect roads or like being punched in the spine.
A Jack of all trades?
There's a lot of stuff on the TTS's 'to-do' list. In addition to year-round operation, high-tech luxury and incredibly satisfying style, it feels remarkably agile on a track in any direction.
Acceleration is potent. TTS launches away from apexes in a real hurry, and puts drivers into 'I'm speeding already?!' territory in just seconds. Brakes are powerful and lateral grip, directed by the flat-bottomed steering wheel, is plentiful enough to rearrange your digestive system.
The TTS brakes, steers, shifts and accelerates in such an instantaneous fashion that it's surprising just how stable and planted it feels pushed hard on a circuit.
Initially, every inch of the car tells you that it should be a handful. Things is, the predictable all wheel drive handling and stiff, magnetically-enhanced suspension flatter novice drivers and reward experienced ones at the same time. Drive the pants off of the TTS, and it safely says 'thank you' in the process.
A sensible four-season, race-ready track-coupe?
In all, it's largely a win-win situation here. The ride and interior storage capacity may be issues for some-- though as a thrilling, sexy, year-round dance-partner, TTS works like a charm.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Chris Koski, Audi
Surprising, perhaps, that belongings and bags for a two-person, week-long trip fit into the TTS's trunk and rear-seats. Some suitcase Tetris may be required, though there's no need to leave the TTS out of your weekend travel plans unless your rear-seat passengers are grown-ups.
With quattro, heated seats, headlamp washers and automatic climate control, said travel plans can take place even in a nasty snowstorm, if need be.
Though cargo space poses no issue, the passenger compartment may leave some wishing for a touch more room. It's snug, not cramped, but things do tighten up quickly if you're wearing heavy winter clothing. A bit more interior storage for at-hand items would have been appreciated, too.
Biggest pain? There's no arm-rest. Eventual frustration in trying to park my right elbow led me to utilize two extra-large coffees in the cupholder instead.
The ride is a tricky beast to nail down. Audi's 'S' cars are typically comfortable given their capabilities, though the TTS's short wheelbase amplifies the effects of the stiff shocks and optional 19-inch alloys. The ride can be jarring if you're unable to avoid a nasty pothole, so this correspondent recommends the smaller 18-inchers for a bit more give-- unless you live in a town with perfect roads or like being punched in the spine.
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| Though cargo space poses no issue, the passenger compartment may leave some wishing for a touch more room. |
A Jack of all trades?
There's a lot of stuff on the TTS's 'to-do' list. In addition to year-round operation, high-tech luxury and incredibly satisfying style, it feels remarkably agile on a track in any direction.
Acceleration is potent. TTS launches away from apexes in a real hurry, and puts drivers into 'I'm speeding already?!' territory in just seconds. Brakes are powerful and lateral grip, directed by the flat-bottomed steering wheel, is plentiful enough to rearrange your digestive system.
The TTS brakes, steers, shifts and accelerates in such an instantaneous fashion that it's surprising just how stable and planted it feels pushed hard on a circuit.
Initially, every inch of the car tells you that it should be a handful. Things is, the predictable all wheel drive handling and stiff, magnetically-enhanced suspension flatter novice drivers and reward experienced ones at the same time. Drive the pants off of the TTS, and it safely says 'thank you' in the process.
A sensible four-season, race-ready track-coupe?
In all, it's largely a win-win situation here. The ride and interior storage capacity may be issues for some-- though as a thrilling, sexy, year-round dance-partner, TTS works like a charm.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Chris Koski, Audi
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