We Drive the 2009 Audi TT 2.0 TDI
This was indeed a nice surprise. After spending the past four days behind the wheel of a Q7 3.0 TDI in the Audi Mileage Marathon, we were given the opportunity to drive around in the not-for-America TT 2.0 TDI.
Audi has talked a lot about how they want to convey the message that diesel-powered cars can be sports cars, too. If the TT isn't enough proof for all of the nay-sayers, just look at the R10 TDI Le Mans car which takes home win after win. In fact, the Audi folks are running the R10 on pure bio-diesel these days.
The 2.0-liter turbo-diesel is the same engine found under the hood in our long-term Jetta TDI which just arrived. This powerplant is good for 170 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. In our test TT, the power is routed through a six-speed manual transmission and is put to the pavement via Quattro all-wheel-drive. The Audi folks claim that the TT TDI will go from a stand-still to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds and that observed fuel economy will be somewhere around the area of 44.3 miles per gallon. Judging by the numbers we've seen in the A3 2.0 TDI this week during the Mileage Marathon, we think that under conservative driving, MPGs could rise up to as high as 50.
(Click through the post to read more.)
Acceleration in the TT TDI is best served above 2200 rpm. This car doesn't have a lot of oomph off the line, mostly due to the Quattro system and the fact that all of the torque lives around 2000 rpm and the horsepower is best used north of 3000. However, our test car felt nimble and quick on its toes while we scooted it in and around downtown Denver. Nothing as far as suspension geometry has changed between the gasoline and diesel models, so it's still as fun to drive as any TT you could buy in the States.
Audi has no plans to bring the TT TDI to the States at this time. As their diesel initiative slowly unfolds in America, we can't say that we'll never see this TT (or some other version), but until that day comes, our mouths will continue to salivate.
2009 AUDI TT 2.0 TDI QUATTRO
Engine: Turbo-diesel inline-4, 2.0 liters, 16v
Output: 170 hp/258 lb-ft
Transmission: Six-speed manual
0-60 MPH: 7.5 seconds
Fuel Economy: 44.3 mpg (combined, est.)
Comments
chartguy
What PR genius thinks it's a good idea to flaunt a TT TDI in the US that's not available to US customers?
I think it would be a marvelous car, but I cannot buy it here.
Jason
It's obvious that whoever drove this TT doesn't know the first thing about diesels in smalll cars. This engine looks good in numbers, but it's quite disappointing to drive and it's not that economical either. So, don't be sorry you can't buy it in the states. If you are in for a new car get yourself 2.0 TFSI and enjoy life, this one here would probably not make you nearly as happy. And one more thing, defientely go for an Audi :)
IntoxicatedPuma
I don't understand the purpose of a diesel sports car, the Audi TT is expensive, and really it's not good for anything except to drive. It'd be like making a diesel 350Z, sure it would get great gas mileage, but are people paying 40k for something like this really interested in saving 500 bucks a year on fuel (and sacrificing performance)? I guess even more extreme is the R8 TDI, but I suppose that still retains a lot of performance.
Diesels are great in sedans, wagons, and SUV's, but I think they are out of place in sports cars.
Lear
I've owned a car with this engine, and it is shortsighted to call it disappointing. I think there is a segment that would really enjoy the diesel TT. Diesels have a different driving character that will appeal to some and not to others. I think diesel fits better with the Grand Touring mindset than the hardcore sportscar mindset. In broad terms, we're still talking sports car, though.
Ducati Minor
Wasn't the Jetta TDI supposed to produce 50 mpg? The average reported is around 35. I have my doubts about a supposedly sportier 2.0 diesel giving Prius numbers. A neat car, but I have some skepticism for the promised results on an all-wheel-drive, relatively heavy, sporty vehicle.
Anonymous
The Jetta was never claimed to do 50 mpg combined (at least by a reputable source).
James Perspective
I live in an area where the Quattro is almost neessary for winter, and it's almost 3 hours to an airport, HomeDepot or Costco. Having a sports car would be awesome, but how many have awd these days. Than getting 45 mpg on those trips into town, with looks from passersby at the same time. I would love to have the opportunity to consider it. I am getting very tired of hearing about alternatives, elsewhere, that we can't get. Who is making these decisions.
Anonymous
But let's face it folks, 0-60 in 7.5 is sluggish.
Anonymous
No, that's the VAG way ;)
runic1
So lets discuss the 2.0 diesel the U.S. might get.
What about the A3 Sportback? Mileage,utility,performance and reasonable affordability!
C'mon AUDI, make available this most practical,useful and FUN configuration of your diesel arsenal!
Demand will outstrip supply! Ditto for the diesel Q5.
chuck goolsbee
I have a 2002 VW Jetta TDI and my car has averaged 50 MPG throughout its lifetime. My best mileage ever was 69.7 MPG, the worst ever was 43 MPG (and that was going 80+ MPH into a 40+ MPH headwind on a trip south to California on I-5). About 2/3rds of the fuel it has burned over the years has been stuff I made myself. The EPA numbers in the 30s are all from slushboxes. The EPA sticker from my car says 48 MPG avg. If you can drive with your left foot doing something more than tapping beats to your stereo racking up good MPG numbers with a small-displacement Diesel is pretty easy to do. Just ask the Europeans who get all sorts of >50 MPG cars to drive.
I'd kill all of you to get a TT TDI, especially a convertible.
--chuck