Audi TT 2.0T FSI
Popularity tends to be fleeting in the fashion-conscious coupé market, but the original TT bucks this trend. Even at retirement age, its distinctive styling attracts admirers. So how can Audi hope to improve the model?
By providing more of the same, it seems. The designers of the new TT (priced from £24,625) have stuck closely to the old car's winning visual formula, although it gains Audi's "goatee beard" front grille.
There are two versions - the 3.2-litre V6 and the 2.0-
litre turbo, which use uses the same superb 197bhp
engine as Volkswagen's Golf GTI. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.
In-gear flexibility also
impresses. Even when cruising in a high gear at low revs, you can floor the throttle and it will haul you past slow traffic with ease.
Nearly 70% of the body is now made from lightweight aluminium, while the steel panels that make up the rest are located towards the rear of the car to counterbalance the engine and gearbox. This helps improve agility, and the TT handles well. The steering, although light, is sharp and accurate.
Don't let the fact that the 2.0 litre is available only with front-wheel drive put you
off either, because it still grips the road strongly.
Range Rover TD V8
A new V8 diesel presents another choice for Range Rover buyers. While it's not particularly quick, given the Range Rover's immense weight it manages to set an impressive pace. You'll need a healthy bank balance to buy one - it costs £52,695.
Chrysler 300 SRT-8
In this supersize everything society, even Chrysler has got in on the act, upping the 300CC's V8 engine to 6.1 litres and 425bhp. The result is a 0-62mph time of only 5.0 seconds, despite the car weighing two tonnes. On sale now, it costs £39,040.
BMW X3
Why buy the X3 when you can have a bigger and roomier X5 for not much more? There must be a valid answer, because 7,500 people in the UK buy the compact 4x4 each year. BMW's recently facelifted model is priced at £28,560 to £38,175.
Popularity tends to be fleeting in the fashion-conscious coupé market, but the original TT bucks this trend. Even at retirement age, its distinctive styling attracts admirers. So how can Audi hope to improve the model?
By providing more of the same, it seems. The designers of the new TT (priced from £24,625) have stuck closely to the old car's winning visual formula, although it gains Audi's "goatee beard" front grille.
There are two versions - the 3.2-litre V6 and the 2.0-
litre turbo, which use uses the same superb 197bhp
engine as Volkswagen's Golf GTI. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.
In-gear flexibility also
impresses. Even when cruising in a high gear at low revs, you can floor the throttle and it will haul you past slow traffic with ease.
Nearly 70% of the body is now made from lightweight aluminium, while the steel panels that make up the rest are located towards the rear of the car to counterbalance the engine and gearbox. This helps improve agility, and the TT handles well. The steering, although light, is sharp and accurate.
Don't let the fact that the 2.0 litre is available only with front-wheel drive put you
off either, because it still grips the road strongly.
Range Rover TD V8
A new V8 diesel presents another choice for Range Rover buyers. While it's not particularly quick, given the Range Rover's immense weight it manages to set an impressive pace. You'll need a healthy bank balance to buy one - it costs £52,695.
Chrysler 300 SRT-8
In this supersize everything society, even Chrysler has got in on the act, upping the 300CC's V8 engine to 6.1 litres and 425bhp. The result is a 0-62mph time of only 5.0 seconds, despite the car weighing two tonnes. On sale now, it costs £39,040.
BMW X3
Why buy the X3 when you can have a bigger and roomier X5 for not much more? There must be a valid answer, because 7,500 people in the UK buy the compact 4x4 each year. BMW's recently facelifted model is priced at £28,560 to £38,175.
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