Features

Anyway. Back to what makes the new TT unique. The structure isn't all-aluminium. Some 31 per cent is steel, the part behind the driver. This, and a steel subframe for the rear suspension, and the suspension itself (which is from the Golf V family and proven effective) is steel. But up front much of the suspension is aluminium.

The purpose of this material mix is to move the centre of gravity backwards, evening up the weight distribution. The battery is in the boot for the same reason. Because the TT has a unique structure, the driver's backside has been moved closer to the ground. So the C of G isn't only aft but low. Good news for handling. Grip is bound to rise, as there will be less roll, and the wheels are up to 17 as standard, 18 on the V6.

More on the handling. Pay attention Jenny Allcock. You wrote in after my Ferrari 599 article in issue 151, complaining that I hadn't given enough of an explanation so I hope this sufaces. The TT has a similar adaptive damping system, as an option.

The dampers contain a magnetorheological fluid - iron particles are suspended in the fluid. The damper bodies are able to apply an electromagnetic field, which aligns the particles and makes the fluid more viscous, making it harder to force through the damper valves and so firming up the damper action.

Each corner of the car is separately controlled to influence pitch, roll and body movements in corners, while running softer on straights. (I've just driven the Audi TT, and you can find out if it's as sporty as Audi says by reading the road test.)

Let's examine the shape. See it, especially from a distance, and it does look wider and meaner. Inside, there's a far greater feeling of space but the same brilliant quality remains.

It's more ornate though: look at the aircon controls and the seats. The centre console is angled to the driver, the dash has curves. It's not so simple as it was.

With a slightly grumpy tone, I tackle Claus Potthoff, Audi's chief of exterior design. "It's grown up," he says. "It's less toy-like. A child could have drawn the last one. It was made of stuck-together modules, with milled surfaces.

This one is more of a sports car. The biggest change is the sculpted surfacing, the negative surfaces like the upswept line just above the sill." I say hollow surfaces can look weak, which an Audi shouldn't. I'm a bit taken aback when Potthoff agrees. "So we spent lots of time on the detail of the door surface to avoid that."