Audi TTS Roadster 2.0 quattro S tronic 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The 2.0 litre engine delivers a hefty 268 bhp at 6000 rpm with torque ratings of 258 lb-ft at 2500-5000 rpm. With a top speed of 155 mph and acceleration speeds capable of reaching 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds, the performance credentials of this model are virtually the same as the 2.0 TTS Quattro S tronic Coupe.

Steering is crisp but flexible and that means that it responds well to the actions of the driver. This makes the quality of the drive high, increasing comfort levels. Unfortunately, the effect of this can be diminished slightly on poor quality roads where handling feels a little unsteady.

For a sports car the fuel economy of the engine is better than expected, achieving a decent 35.8 mpg on a combined cycle. This is fairly low compared to other Audi TT models and the Audi TTS Roadster 2.0 Quattro S tronic emits a hefty 184 g/km of carbon dioxide making it anything but ‘green’.

In terms of internal equipment, the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI S-line offers a number of features as standard fittings to ensure the quality of the drive is just as good inside the car as it is outside. Standard features include power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system with CD player and MP3 connectivity.

Additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity, a built in sat nav, rear parking sensors and cruise control are all available for an extra cost. Bluetooth connectivity costs £250 whilst the built-in sat nav, rear parking sensors and cruise control cost £665, £305 and £220 respectively.

The external appearance can also be enhanced with a metallic paint finish which costs £510 and the inferior part-leather interior of the standard TT Roadster models is replaced with a superior full leather alternative in the TTS. This is the same as the TTS Coupe models but the open car appearance of the Roadster may be more appealing to some drivers.

With the roof down, taller drivers will need a low seating position in order to be comfortable and this could cause problems in terms of practicality. There is also a lot of road noise generated by these models which can make the driving experience less comfortable.

That being said, there is a lot of adjustment within the front seats and the steering column and that means that drivers have lots of opportunities to get comfortable. The internal instruments are well arranged adn that makes operating them easy when driving.

In terms of safety, this model comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard. An alarm and immobiliser is also fitted to protect the vehicle from theft and the car comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles. A service interval of 9,000-19,000 miles is recommended and that means maintenance costs can vary.

In terms of practicality the boot offers 250 litres of space which is less than the Coupe equivalent – one compromise made to accommodate the open car design.

Priced at £39,195 this is anything but affordable for the average motorist and makes this model more than £7,000 dearer than the 2.0 litre TFSI Quattro Sport TT Roadster with only marginal improvements in performance.

However, for those looking for the most powerful car possible, the additional 6 mph on the top speed and acceleration which is 0.4 seconds faster is likely to make a big difference.
Of course, as an open car, the Audi TTS Roadster 2.0 Quattro S tronic is subjected to higher wind disruption and this means its performance is slightly lower than its TTS Coupe equivalent: the Audi TTS Coupe 2.0 Quattro S tronic.

Insurance grouping for the two models is the same – falling under group 38. The Coupe beats the open-topped Roadster marginally by being 0.2 seconds faster when it comes to accelerating but top speeds are identical. Fuel economy is slightly better in the Coupe which achieves 36.7 mpg compared to the Roadster’s 35.8 mpg and this means deciding between the two models will be based primarily on appearances and personal preference.

Carbon emissions also differ slightly but regardless of the figure both models receive the same road tax costs under tax band I. Performance output from the engine is also identical and that means the additional £2,110 paid for the Roadster is spent purely on the open-topped appearance. Buyers must therefore decide how important they consider the look of the car but as many people find the Roadster a more attractive model it is likely that it will beat its fixed-top opponent.