Classy chic: Audi TT

The Audi TT has the looks, comfort and performance to blitz the highways, tame the curves and impress the corniche – perhaps categorised as a sophisticated sports car, the TT is suave and refined, delivering excellent handling characteristics.

The design is unique and pleasing; there's no mistaking this car for any other as its ovalness is practically copyrighted. Since the mid-'90s, the Audi TT has revelled in this egg form more than any other brand and model, capitalising on the sensuality of the curve.

But the best feature about the TT for me is its handling. Yes, the exterior design is a strong point, and especially from the front it is startlingly handsome, with those four interconnected rings proudly setting the tone of the grille, chaperoned by those sharp cat-like eyes of xenon; but the look is up to individual taste – some people might not like it; but the handling... the handling everybody must like!

Funnily enough, it is widely reported that stability was a problem for the earlier TT model – we are now in the second generation and handling came out top on my list!

Audi engineers obviously went to work and transformed what has become an iconic exterior into a beautifully balanced ride.

Still, the TT is respectably fast, but with a weight of about 1,600 kg and suspension tuning that prioritises touring comfort over all-out cornering prowess, it won't be the first choice for hard-core racing enthusiasts as its aggressive design might suggest.

The TT gives a refined and powerful drive, but it's certainly not a race car. Maybe that was the mismatch of the earlier generation between expectation and delivery?

I don't know, but what I do know is that people who desire a sporty coupe or roadster with energetic performance, awesome handling and a flair for style, should be extremely happy with the new Audi TT.

At the heart of the handling (yes, I know I am stressing on this a lot!) is the Audi Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the fruit of years of racing experience, first spear-headed by the legendary Audi Quattro rally car.

It is a permanent four-wheel drive system which distributes power efficiently between the front and rear wheels, thus increasing traction, propulsion and safety in all driving situations.

Audi Magnetic Ride is also available in support of handling and it means that the suspension will automatically adjust depending on the current road conditions.

The new TT also features an improved rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds greater than 120 km/h and retracts again at 80 km/h.

The spoiler can also be manually controlled by the driver via a switch on the dash. Supported by Quattro stability and traction safety systems, and the magical magnetic suspension, the Audi TT is nailed to the tarmac.

I gave it the best I had at an abandoned large parking lot, under logical restraints, and I could not get that beautiful car to lose poise or even appear disturbed by my sadistic attempts to ruffle its feathers: the Audi TT is as stable as a tank – it will not swerve off course, it will not slide around.

I wanted to further sample this astounding feature, so I progressed to challenging the 12 km climb up Jebel Hafeet, with its 60 hair-raising curves.

The Audi TT smiled through all of them, confidently breezing around the toughest turns.

And the comfort was excellent for what is a very small cabin. Sure, forget about the 2+2 designation, the TT is actually a two-seater with a bench at the back.

Perhaps good for short drives or children, but not practical as seats for regular passengers.

The second best feature I felt was the interior style - very effective choice of materials, nice and crisp design. I felt immediately at home and I basked in the classy feel of the interior.

The driver gets a low driving position, with the narrow windscreen opening giving an unusual, and well-shaded, view of the road ahead.

The TT's interior is just as overtly styled as the outside, with an attractive blend of logical and legible instrumentation and good use of metal and high-quality plastic components.

There's surprisingly good storage space, power seats, a dashing steering wheel uncluttered by extra controls and a good view of the world around slim pillars, although rear view when parking can be tricky.

The 3.2 l VR6 engine, offering a good 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW) output, was fast and smooth, with a wonderful tease of an exhaust rumble. But overall I would say it was comfortably fast, without the neck-wrenching aggressiveness that many less-refined sports cars offer – very smooth and manageable.

It reaches 100 km/h in just under six seconds so it's definitely no slow-poke!

The engine bursts to life with a snarl and, with the transmission selector placed in "D", pulls strongly through the gears with power surging as the revs rise and the delicious engine note becomes more aggressive – I do love that exhaust note!

The transmission also deserves mention, as it is superb in executing gear shifts with its six-speed auto-manual gearbox; called DSG, it provides rapid yet jolt-free manual-style precision shifting; and when you prefer to use the paddles, you will also find there is an accurate and immediate response.

The secret is a dual-clutch gearbox which allows you to change gears without noticeably interrupting the flow of power from the engine.

The quality of the build is obvious, and I couldn't help thinking that combined with its style and exquisitely refined performance, the TT should cost far more than what the showroom quoted me.

Now don't up the prices right away, Audi! I'm just musing out loud, and I'm sure the falling dollar will soon call for an upwards adjustment anyways.