Audi TT S Line review

Sharp looks and a cabin of rare quality will attract plenty of buyers to the new Audi TT. In upmarket S Line trim , the car showcases its talents even more effectively with more aggressive looks and impressive technology. It’s not cheap but the TT is a great compact coupe and the S Line premium is worth paying.

The Audi TT S line is the most expensive model in the TT range, sitting above the entry-level Sport. Buyers get a choice of petrol or diesel engines, manual or automatic gearboxes and front or quattro all-wheel drive.

To the standard TT specification, the S line adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a more aggressive body kit and special all-weather LED headlights, which adapt by extinguishing bulbs to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic.

On the inside, all TTs, including the range-topping S line, feature Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and Audi’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit display. Leather seats, ISOFIX child seat mounts and air-con are also standard. 

As with any Audi, the options list is extensive. Bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, sculpted sports seats and a premium Bang & Olufsen stereo are all available – but be careful not to get carried away, as the list price can quickly spiral out of control. 

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However, you won’t need to spend a penny over and above the basic list price to bag yourself one of the best interiors in the business. Nothing this side of a Mercedes S-Class comes close to the TT’s premium appeal, and that’s true of both Sport and range-topping S line models.

The dashboard has been vastly simplified on the new TT, with no central screen or confusing buttons. Instead, everything has been housed within the driver’s instrument binnacle, replacing the conventional dials with a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display. 

Owners can customise the screen depending on their needs, with Audi’s MMI interface allowing control of the car’s sat-nav, stereo and telephone, as well as display of the usual speedo and rev counter setup. It’s really intuitive to use, and brings a new dimension to the mainstream car interior. Quality is top notch, with plenty of high-grade leather and soft-touch plastics.

Prices for the new Audi TT S line start from £31,635 for the 227bhp 2.0-litre TFSI front-wheel drive manual – just fractionally less than the diesel featuring the same drivetrain and gearbox combination.

If you want to add the S tronic dual-clutch auto you’ll need to fork out almost £1,500, while the range-topping quattro all-wheel drive version is another £1,430 more. The diesel is only available as a front-wheel drive manual.

All models are fast and fun to drive, with front-wheel drive cars featuring a clever electronic differential designed to improve cornering speeds. Four-wheel drive models offer impressive grip in tricky conditions, but all cars offer sharp steering and a lightweight, playful chassis. The 19-inch wheels on S line models do make the ride a bit firmer, while inevitably transmitting more road noise into the cabin.

Audi’s Drive Select system is standard across the range, too, and for the first time it adjusts the all-wheel drive system on quattro models, to give a sportier set up in Dynamic Mode. It also modifies throttle response, steering weighting and air conditioning load, plus shift speeds on S tronic cars, while petrol models get a racier exhaust note in Dynamic mode.

As with other Audi models, the Drive Select allows for Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency and Auto modes, plus you can set up your favourite mix of modes in the Individual setting.

For most, the premium badge and stylish interior will more than justify the expensive price tag, but those looking for further justification should opt for the brilliant TDI Ultra diesel. It’s plenty quick enough, will return more than 65mpg and cost just £20 per year to tax. Few cars can offer the same mix of sporty looks, punchy performance and rock bottom running costs – making the TT S line a favourite for business and private buyers alike.