Despite the name Solar Orange, the paint scheme on this 2009 Audi TTS is far from eye-searing.
A sports car should be both exciting to look at and exciting behind the wheel. The 2009 Nissan 370Z has a polarizing “love-it or hate-it” style and is a blast to drive. The 2009 Aston Martin Vantage is truly a looker even when standing still but it is truly a joy to run through the gears. The 2009 Audi TTS is in my possession for the week and has so far fulfilled one half of my simplified equation; it looks great from all angles - even when wearing bright (very bright) Solar Orange paint but is it fun to drive?
The answer to this question did not come as quickly as I thought it would have. I didn’t hop in, start the TTS up, and drive away all the while enjoying the experience. The car does hit certain senses in just the right manner however. The exhaust sounds excellent, especially when my ears pickup the alternating pitchy whir and bass pop from the turbocharged 2.0L engine. The handling feels very crisp, and I would find myself taking turns at faster and faster speeds supported by the Quattro AWD system, strut front/four-link rear suspension, and the meaty performance tires wrapped around the 19” seven twin-spoke wheels.
Something was leaving me slightly disappointed however and it is easy to pinpoint the cause. The Audi TTS is fitted with the six-speed S-tronic transmission. This is a dual-clutch automatic which can be manually shifted via steering wheel mounted paddles. The paddles respond quick enough but since this car is not a true manual transmission, I don’t always want to use them - and here is where the problems start. In normal auto mode, the system shifts often and early. Couple this with the very noticeable turbo lag and I am no longer driving a sports car but a slowly moving sunrise. Not a problem you say… just put it into SPORT! I put the transmission into SPO- HOLY C&@P! Now the Audi shifts like it is only allowed to do so once hitting redline. Maybe its me but I can’t find a middle ground. I don’t always want to be pushing the car to the limit nor do I feel like being left in the dust at the stop light by city bus.
From a styling standpoint, many folks loved the older, original style of the TT but I am huge fan of this more modern direction. It reduces some of the bubble-factor of the first generation TT but doesn’t lose it - it makes it sleeker and more up to date. The aggressive lower section of the front end coupled with the gorgeous daytime running LED lights draw in my eye and lead me down the side and to the sculpted and rounded rear end. The look is not as dramatic as the Audi R8 nor should it be. This TTS stands out but I didn’t have people nearly causing traffic accidents just to get a glimpse
The interior of the Audi TTS is a typically clean style that is found in all new Audi vehicles. The seats are supportive which comes in handy when testing out the superb handling. Everything is within easy reach of the driver. The steering wheel has a flattened bottom edge which, aside from looking cool, lets you rest the wheel as low in the lap as it will go - a driving position I really prefer.
One benefit this TTS has though over some other vehicles in the lineup, is the fact that the HVAC controls are not found within the Audi MMI system but are actual knobs which can be operated quickly. Regardless of the outside temperature, I did not need to wade through a system of menus on a touch screen and this is a good thing.
The 2009 Audi TTS is a more aggressively styled and more powerful version of the standard TT. The engine produces 265 hp and there are numerous badges scattered around the car to let others know this is no mere base German luxury sports coupe. The starting MSRP for the TTS is $45,550.00 and the one pictured here is fitted with a few options packages which bring the price up to $52,075.00. This brings the car into Audi S5 territory. Both cars have Quattro AWD and both cars have wonderful exterior styling. However, the S5 has a 350 hp V8 and is available with a manual transmission while my only two gripes about the TTS are the turbo lag from the four-cylinder and the S-tronic transmission. Sorry Audi TTS, it’s not you… it’s me
… and your hotter sister.