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The Audi TT is now in its second generation, and remains one of the few affordable style icons on sale today.

It's effortlessly stylish; but not too much to lose its appeal with driving enthusiasts, and offers plenty of performance for the car buyers' pound.

We spent a week with the latest edition to the range, the Audi TT TDI to see if it’s a case of style over substance or a corking drivers' car.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks
 
The Audi TT launched in 1999 to shock and awe. The original car was unlike any car before it, and its influences both on the design of Audis which followed and the TT's coupe rivals. The second generation replaced it in 2006, and offers a more mature appearance. Some criticised it for lacking the artistic drama of the first car, but Audi's design had moved on adopting a more sober look.

The Audi TT still has a short, curvy stance, with a curvaceous roofline and slightly flared wheelarches. The front features Audi's trademark grille and a pair of sculpted headlines containing intricate patterns hiding sidelights and indicators. The smooth rear now has a pop-up spoiler which replaced the stubby, stuck-up wing that kept the first generation model pinned to the road at high speed.

9/10

2. Looks inside
 
The understated brilliance of the Audi TT's bodywork is matched by the cabin. Like every other model in Audi's current range, it blends Germanic style with tremendous build quality. Everything works as you'd expect, and is positioned where you'd expect. Dark grey, soft touch plastics are everywhere, lifted by chrome trims around the air vents and red and white illuminations for the dials and buttons. The dash is angled towards the driver, and the seats are mounted low, cocooning the driver; and the three-spoke steering wheel has a racy flat bottom.

9/10

3. Practicality
 
The Audi TT is described as a 2+2; rather than a full four seater. That's just as well because the rear seats are sufficient only for very young children or for adults on short journeys. The boot is surprisingly large for a small coupe, measuring 290 litres; just two litres shy of the 'Golf coupe', the Volkswagen Scirocco; and an impressive 55 litres bigger than the Nissan 350Z coupe. Space around the cabin is reasonable, and the rear seats provide ample space for luggage without using the boot.

8/10

4. Ride and Handling
 
The original TT was criticised for not having the handling panache to match its sharp suit. That's not something which can be levelled against the Mk2. Audi has turned the TT into a genuine driving enthusiasts' car, poise and agility at any speed. The steering offers plenty of feedback, and there's virtually no bodyroll through faster bends. But despite this, the ride is very good, making it an exceptional all-rounder.

The TT is offered with Audi Magentic Ride, a £1,150 option which varies the damping continuously for optimum ride and handling. It cycles through two modes, Normal and Sport, the latter of which firms the ride up for a more focused drive. However, the car feels so good without it, careful consideration is required whether you really need it.

9/10

5. Performance
 
The Audi TT is fast, whichever engine is chosen. We tested the 2-litre TDi version, but a number of petrol units are also available. The 2-litre TDi offers 170bhp, but an impressive 258lb/ft of pulling power from 1,750rpm. That means performance is even more rapid than its 7.5 second 0-62mph time would suggest. Its overtaking potential is immense, and it won't run out of puff until 139mph. Two 2-litre petrol units are available, producing 197bhp and 268bhp in the hot TTS model. The former will reach 62mph in 6.6 seconds, before reaching a 149mph maximum, while the TTS will cover the same marker in just 5.4 seconds and will run on to a limited 155mph top speed. The 3.2-litre V6 petrol will hit 62mph in 5.9 seconds and achieve a limited 155mph v-max.

Specifying Audi's stick S-Tronic twin clutch auto cuts around 0.2 seconds from the 0-62mph dash, while the convertible roadster versions are between 0.1 and 0.2 seconds slower.

10/10

6. Running Costs
 
For low running costs, the TT TDi is the clear winner. It'll cover 51.4mpg and emits 144g/km; placing it in tax band C, which is £140 per year. Even its company car tax is low, at just 19 per cent. Predictably, the further up the engine range you look, the heavier the running costs. The 197bhp 2-litre petrol returns an average of 36.7mpg, and emits a tax band E-baiting £170 a year tax bill. The 3.2 V6 averages just 27.4mpg and emits 247g/km, making it the costliest in the range.

Surprisingly then, the fastest TT in the range – the TTS – isn't the dearest to run. Official figures say it'll average 35.3mpg, while emitting 191g/km.

The Roadster is more expensive to run, covering around half a mile less per gallon than the coupe, and emitting more CO2 – in some cases bumping it into the next tax band up. Choose the S-Tronic automatic gearbox, and you'll find improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions on both the Coupe and Roadster.

Used values are strong, thanks to continued demand on the used market. Expect it to retain between 58 and 60 per cent of its new value after three years/36,000 miles.

8/10

7. Reliability
 
Proven components, coupled with strong build quality should add up to fine reliability. The interior feels exceptionally well put together. Owners give it a high 4.5/5 star rating at the user review site Drive the Debate.

8/10

8. Safety
 
The Audi TT scored four out of a maximum five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. That's identical to is rivals, which include the BMW Z4, Honda S2000 and Mercedes SLK. The Audi TT features ABS, traction control, driver, passenger and front side airbags, electronic differential lock and electronic stability programme as standard.

8/10

9. Equipment

There's no trim levels in the Audi TT range to speak of, with just the 3.2 V6 and TTS models getting extra kit. All models feature 17-inch alloys, a 9-speaker, 140-watt MP3-compatible single CD player, leather/alcantara interior, front sports seats, trip computer, climate control, electrically-operated and heated door mirrors, electric windows and an automatic rear spoiler. The roof is also operated electrically on Roadster models.

The 3.2 version adds 18-inch alloy wheels, uprated brakes, chrome-detailed headlamps and tinted rear lights, nappa leather upholstery with heated front seats. The TTS ]also receives Audi Magnetic Ride, two-tone nappa leather seats, ESP with a sport mode, bright xenon lights, bespoke bumpers and a smattering of TTS livery.

8/10

10. X-Factor
 
If the Audi TT missed the mark with its driving dynamics, it would still sell thanks to its stunning looks. But the fact it can mix it with the very best drivers' cars on sale should guarantee it shortlist status on any coupe buyers' shopping list.

9/10