S good as it gets
Easily the best TT to date, but at a price. The TTS is a worthy sibling to the magnificent R8 supercar
Subtle styling enhancements, brilliant engine and gearbox combo, good fuel economy, lovingly crafted interior 
Hefty price premium over the TT 2.0, steering could use more feel A new 272bhp engine and four-wheel drive make this the fastest, most accomplished TT ever
By Colin Yong in Munich, Germany
THE CURRENT, SECOND-generation Audi TT doesn’t lack for much – it still looks stunning after two years on the market and even the entry-level 2.0-litre version is a genuine driver’s delight.
Perhaps the only thing missing was a truly high-performance model. The 3.2 V6 doesn’t count, for while it has a beefy 250bhp engine under the bonnet, in reality it’s only slightly quicker and considerably less agile than the 2.0.
But the range now has a proper leader in the form of the TTS. Now, Audi doesn’t simply go around sticking ‘S’ badges on mildly warmed-over variants of its cars, so you know straight away the TTS is the real deal. Both coupe and roadster versions are available.
In the best German tradition the styling mods distinguishing the car from regular TTs are pretty subtle. There’s a grey-finished grille and rear diffuser, a body-coloured front bumper lip, deeper side skirts, matte aluminium door mirrors and LED daytime running lights. Oh, and the now-ubiquitous four exhaust pipes too.
Audi saved the big money for the engine. An extensively revised version of the familiar Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre turbo unit, it pumps out 272bhp and an equally impressive 350Nm of torque.
Key engineering changes include a strengthened block, new intake and exhaust systems and a higher boost pressure of 1.2 bar. Quattro four-wheel drive helps put the extra power down on the road effectively, and buyers have a choice of fully manual or twin-clutch S tronic transmissions, both with six speeds.