‘Radical and head turning’ was the general consensus of auto critics when it came to describing the Audi TT as it made its debut in ’98. About two decades later, we now have the third generation of the TT which has grown sharper, faster, lighter and sexier than its predecessors. Driving around Mumbai it did make heads turn but it was at night that the Matrix headlamps and the dynamic blinkers stole the show.

Underneath the striking curves and lines is a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine which delivers 230 bhp. Although the numbers may not sound impressive, just press the throttle on an empty stretch and you will beg to differ. The speedometer touches 100 km/hr in a little over five seconds, and that is just the start. From 140 to 160 to 170 km/hr the speedometer effortlessly keeps climbing but it is the curved roads that you will crave. With Quattro all-wheel drive as standard, the coupe delivers excellent grip and lets you zip in and out of the tightest corners, with a big smile on your face. The TT comes with a six speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox which is lightning fast and so smooth that you won’t even realise kickdowns. The exhaust does not pop and crackle like the big boys but put the car in dynamic mode and rapid accelerations will give out a satisfying growl. Everything is perfect except for the steering which lacks meaningful feedback.

Step inside and the first thing you realise is that the pop-out or the centre information display has made way for the ‘virtual cockpit’. Everything that requires a display is handled by a high-resolution screen in front of the driver. The digital tacho and speedometer shrink in size to make way for the navigation, media, telephone, and vehicle settings. The passenger can use the central MMI knob and other buttons but can’t see the screen. Once used to it, the driver can effortlessly control the MMI using steering buttons and rollers or voice activation. Replacing the centre infotainment screen are the AC vents and they are just gorgeous. The AC controls are nested in the vents itself, in the centre of the vents is an OLED display. Turning and pushing individual vents lets you control the temperature, air-flow and modes. Extremely driver focussed, the TT’s interior is minimalistic yet luxurious; audiophiles do note that Bang and Olufsen sound is standard. The TT is a pure two-seater, the rear seats are best left for small children or a shopping bag or two.

The new Audi TT ticks all the right boxes that car afficionados need with its striking looks, chic interiors, effortless handling, satisfying performance, a lot of impressive technology at its disposal and most importantly a sub one-crore price tag (₹78 lakh — ex Mumbai ) that is going to appeal to many.

Dhiram Shah is the Mumbai-based founder of Luxurylaunches.com

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