But more than this, Connect also has integrated voice control thanks to Google Voice, allowing the user to search for almost anything. Examples would be for local businesses, services or other information. In Ireland, you can get live flight information direct to the dashboard, but also rail travel information, City Events, fuel prices, parking information, weather, news and of course, Facebook.
Streaming services
There are streaming services available too, as the earlier MMI connectivity is now expanded to passengers who may be using a smart connected device, to stream the likes of YouTube or music services.
The presentation of all of this information via the dashboard allows the driver to access and control it all in a way that is not intrusive, or distracting as it can all just be turned off or switched to a purely functional view where the space between the tacho and the speedo is occupied by fuel consumption figures, trip meter, distance travelled, fuel range and other more traditional metrics. Short of a head-up display, this is a very good system.
The comms functions are handled by the now ubiquitous in-car Bluetooth that allows not just call and contact information to be displayed on the screen, but entertainment content too. And the quality of the in-car audio, both in terms of input and output is superb, though the reviewed model did have the option Bang and Olufsen sound system option, which is snip at a mere €1,295.
The central navigation hub features a touch and draw sensor on the top. (Image Richard Pardon)
This adds to already impressive capability of the previous systems, by leveraging newer LTE connectivity, and allowing more tethered devices to connect directly to available services, and the ability to use VPN directly to connect securely to your own IT services. And what bundle of capability would be worth its salt without a smart phone app? The Audi MMI connect App is iPhone and Android compatible, delivering enhanced Online and Picture Destinations features of myAudi, also adding CarFinder, and providing access to 7,000 plus web radio stations.
All this adds up to a truly connected car that not only knows where it is but can now allow the driver to have a situational awareness that would have been reserved for airline pilots not long ago.
But, bear in mind, all of this cloud-age technology is wrapped up in a classic two plus sports car, from the company that brought you the legendary Quattro car of the 80s. And of course, it was red.
The review model was the TT 2.0TFSI, four cylinder turbo charged, injected petrol model, with the S-Tronic gearbox and Quattro four wheel drive system. It was also loaded with extras such as that sound system, LED lights, 19” alloys, Drive Select for driving modes, leather, heated electrically adjustable seats, electronically controlled air-con, light and rain sensors, high beam assist, auto-parking brake, auto-hold assist for incline control, parking sensors and a lot more.
The virtual cockpit is standard on the TT, but the review model had the Technology Package which adds the Connect services and the MMI Navigation Plus package.
As standard, there is an electronically controlled rear spoiler which compliments the far sharper and more aggressive styling of this new generation of TT. There is also a handy button to deploy the spoiler at any speed — just so you can.
Lively
The 2 litre turbo-charged four produces 230bhp and 130NM of torque, which in a car weighing 1,335kg makes for a very lively response indeed.
Top speed is irrelevant here, as the driving dynamics are all about the thrust of acceleration, the grip in the corners and the sharp braking and stability control that keep it all in check. Though undoubtedly long-legged, the new TT is the most fun, in this writer’s opinion, on the twisty back roads where the low centre of gravity, short wheel base and good weight distribution combine with the superbly refined Quattro system to deliver immense levels of feedback and precision that deliver huge confidence, irrespective of surface or conditions. Whatever you are presented with, the new TT hunts out grip, allowing you to exploit the sharp (but never twitchy) steering, the compliant suspension and the rev happy engine to make the most of the driving experience.
Far from hooliganism, it all combines to ensure that the limits can be explored without ever feeling that things are getting out of hand. That said, should you desire, or should you be comparable in skill and experience to a bloke called Tiff or Stig, you can switch it all off, get it tail happy and revel in the gorgeous pop and bang from the waste gate as the engine uses the immensely smooth double clutch, electronic gearbox to spin the dials faster than is currently socially acceptable.
When you are taking the kids to school, and under 12s will easily fit in the back seats, helped by ISO-Fix as standard, the economy mode will return a healthy 6.4l/100km (44mpg or so in old money). Plus, the tax band is relatively low thanks to Band C emissions of 149g per Km.
Price
All of which brings us to the price.
The base models have a starting price of €47,550. The review model retail price is €56,100 with an options list that came to a hefty €9,976 or €65,976 all in.
While that may seem fairly eye-watering for some, it does place it squarely in the same territory as the BMW 4 series, the Z4 and similar, it is a fair bit cheaper than other two-seaters such as the Jaguar F Type, which is well north of the €100k mark.
Paul Hearns
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