Well it certainly has been a while since I have written much of anything.  I suppose though, that you could say I saved my comeback for a good one.  The 2013 Audi TTS can be summed up in one word, and that word is fun.

Lets start with the basics: power.  Since its inception, the TTS has mated a 2.0T producing 265 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque to a six speed dual-clutch S Tronic transmission.  That sounds complicated, but it boils down to an Audi-claimed 0-60 time of 4.9 which, to be honest, seems to be accurate.  The car is good in a straight line, but it really comes into its own in the corners.  The front MacPhearson strut linkage allows the car to change direction with the precision of a car worth two or three times the price.  The rear multi-link setup contours with incredible accuracy and gives the TTS’ Quattro system a full workout under sporting conditions.  Body roll, when not in the stiffer sport mode, is slightly noticeable when taking sweeping corners at anything over 65.  The well bolstered seats on the other hand keep you planted in the perfect driving position at all times.

The fun factor comes when you really start to get the power delivery through the gears.  The S Tronic delivers the power, but you have to be careful with gear selection to keep the turbo spinning.  Leaving the transmission in “S” for Sport mode allows the car to cycle through the gears without you having to shift.  Let me tell you, the downshift burble out the back is slightly intoxicating, but making the noise on command with the steering wheel mounted shift paddles is even more rewarding.  No, not as rewarding as having a manual transmission, but if you want that you have to step up to the slightly insane TT-RS to get your full driving pleasure.

How about value for money?  The TTS is marketed as a four seat 2 door coupe (or roadster).  Now, lets be honest, who can you find to sit in the back seat of a TTS?  I’m 6’1″ and I cannot even fit half of myself across the entire rear of the car.  So then, the rear seat isn’t for humans.  However, you do get an awful lot as standard.  Flat bottomed race-inspired steering wheel, full leather power seats, 19″ wheels, and a pop-up spoiler to impress the crowds at stop lights.  Posh factor?  Sure.  Just over $48,000 of your dollars, will get you the fun factor you desire.

No car is perfect, and the TTS, like all others, has faults.  The most noticeable, is the ride comfort.  On nice smooth roads (which there aren’t too many of here in Upstate New York) the car is capable and forgiving.  Of course in real world situations the suspension setup is incredibly firm even in Normal mode.  Secondly, the rear seats, as stated before, are totally useless in any situation that requires a third person.

The TTS then, like most cars, is one with a couple different personalities.  If comfort is the most important thing to you in a small sportscar then this is not the car for you.  If you want to be thrilled and feel like you’re part of the driving experience as best you can, for the price nothing else delivers.  With that I hereby declare that it is great to be back.

-Scott Villeneuve