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Audi TT coupe
If you want a new Audi TT you will have to join the queue. Put your order in now and you should be able to take delivery in the middle of the summer. And, believe me, it will be worth the wait.
It's not in Lamborghini Murcielago league and it doesn't do 200mph, but it doesn't cost six figures either and it IS a supercar of sorts.
It is lithe, lean and looks fast even when it is standing still, but the glitz and glamour hides a sensible side which never existed in the original TT which it replaces.
That was a one-off and so much of a style statement that sacrifices had to be made. Space was one. It was cramped inside and visibility was severely restricted.
None of that stopped it becoming an icon which was fabulous to drive and
clung to its value like no other. It was way ahead of its time and plenty will mourn its passing but TT number two is still a cool car and a whole lot more practical – less about fashion and more about engineering and technology.
For one thing, it is cosy rather than claustrophobic and it drives like a true supercar, flicking through the corners and snaking round the bends.
It is slightly longer, a good three inches wider and, thankfully, a fraction taller. There is more leg and headroom and a decent amount of space in the boot and it does have two rear seats, although these are strictly for very small children.
For me the coup was comfortable and brilliant to drive. It was very responsive and controllable and there is never a time when it felt as if it was taking over.
Burbling round town it was unruffled and just as polite. The ride is understandably edgy over the worst surfaces but the new hitech
ride design irons out everything else and it just flows along.
Electronic stability control is standard, and when the car hits 70mph-plus the rear spoiler pops up to stop it going into orbit.
With 197bhp under the bonnet from an engine it shares with the VW Golf
GTi, the two-litre model is supercar crisp. Standstill to 60mph in 6.6 seconds and top speed of 150mph should be enough for most people and average fuel consumption of 36 to 40mpg is another positive.
This model costs 24,625 and with that level of performance there seems
little point in forking out out another 4,000 or so for the heavier 3.2 litre model which is not much quicker, even though it does have four-wheel-drive.
In standard form, the car has a generous list of equipment but there are
some tempting options on offer so it would be easy to get carried away and hike up the price.
The six-speed gearbox is silky smooth and, just as you would expect
from Audi, the finish and quality is top class. It is more grown-up than the old one, with less retro aluminium, and plenty of leather and electrics.
The flat-bottomed steering wheel looks odd but works well and tall people will welcome the extra legroom.
The original was a stunner and, with a few tweaks, ironing out the wrinkles and plumping up the panels the new one is even more sensational.
It can be seen at Audi King's Lynn, which is the West Norfolk dealership
and is based at North Lynn.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
