Diesel TT - fun in the sunset

Jun 8 2009 Peter Hayward

FOR me, there is very little more enjoyable than taking an open topped car out on a chilly spring evening and heading off towards a marvellous sunset.

I enjoyed just such a cracking drive in the Audi TT TDI a couple of weeks ago - who'd have thought a diesel could be so much fun?

It was pretty cold, but with gloves and a hat, the wind deflector in place and the heated seat on, I was as warm as toast.

It rides very well most of the time but gets a little lumpy in town as you would expect with such a sporting car.

Quattro four wheel drive helps towards the most amazing road holding and the handling is right up there with the best, poised and hugely safe, with direct and informative steering.

Audi has even managed to give the gruff two-litre TDI engine a decent exhaust note. So although you always know it's a diesel, it sounds much better than most.

Performance is superb and economy is probably the best available in any sportscar.

Interior

It comes with climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, electric windows and roof and a 160mph speedometer. That's not as daft as it looks when the top speed is 147mph.

It also comes with leather seats, but electric adjustment is an extra £710, a multi-CD is £260 and Bluetooth £375. These should all be standard.

FAST FACTS

Audi TT TDI

Price: £28,420

Mechanical: 170bhp, 1,968cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving all four wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox.

Max speed: 147mph

0-62mph: 6.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 51

Insurance group: 16

CO2 emissions: 145g/km

BIK rating: 20%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles

Marks: 10/10

Main rival: BMW 320d CC