The Audi TT Roadster is slowly but steadily winning Desmond's heart
A month ago, I would be lying if I said that I would pick the Audi TT Roadster over the Mazda MX-5. My very one-sided (and perhaps unwarranted) love affair with the quaint little roadster stretches many years past, and in that time, I've never been much of a fan of the TT Roadster, to be quite honest. The TTs of old had a reputation of being something of a bimbo, with drop dead good looks but little on the inside to match.
But that was then. The new TT Roadster has come a long way from its predecessors. And after driving it for some time, while I'm not sure if it has truly won over my heart yet, it is most definitely tugging very, very hard. Here are five reasons why:
Power
The Audi has more power over the MX-5. A lot more power.
All that horses is also incredibly usable and accessible. There is no need to constantly work the engine and keep it in higher revs, simply because the car has the utmost ability to rocket forward anytime you want it to.
Plus, the car makes a delightful noise. The soundtrack from the engine and exhaust is an absolute joy and is sure to leave people jealous as your pull away from them.
The Audi has more power over the MX-5. A lot more power.
All that horses is also incredibly usable and accessible. There is no need to constantly work the engine and keep it in higher revs, simply because the car has the utmost ability to rocket forward anytime you want it to.
Plus, the car makes a delightful noise. The soundtrack from the engine and exhaust is an absolute joy and is sure to leave people jealous as your pull away from them.
quattro all-wheel drive
Yes, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is great if you were at a track hanging the car's tail out or on switchback roads oversteering into corners. Unfortunately, neither of which you will have the chance to do in Singapore.
The TT Roadster's all-wheel drive (AWD) system means it is easier to get power down while having incredible grip and assurance on the road. That translates into an engaging and thrilling drive. Some will tout the purity of RWD cars, but the Audi's AWD is extremely confidence inspiring.
Yes, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is great if you were at a track hanging the car's tail out or on switchback roads oversteering into corners. Unfortunately, neither of which you will have the chance to do in Singapore.
The TT Roadster's all-wheel drive (AWD) system means it is easier to get power down while having incredible grip and assurance on the road. That translates into an engaging and thrilling drive. Some will tout the purity of RWD cars, but the Audi's AWD is extremely confidence inspiring.
Head-turning looks
There is no denying the TT Roadster's head-turning looks. It still preserves the charm of its predecessors, but a redesigned front end allows it to resemble the sexy R8 supercar. No matter where you go, everyone will recognise the TT Roadster. And stare.
And if you think the TT looks good with its roof up, it arguably looks even better topless. The mechanically folding roof, which folds in just 10 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 50km/h, means that it's easy to transform to open-top driving just about any time you want.
There is no denying the TT Roadster's head-turning looks. It still preserves the charm of its predecessors, but a redesigned front end allows it to resemble the sexy R8 supercar. No matter where you go, everyone will recognise the TT Roadster. And stare.
And if you think the TT looks good with its roof up, it arguably looks even better topless. The mechanically folding roof, which folds in just 10 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 50km/h, means that it's easy to transform to open-top driving just about any time you want.
Interior quality and comfort
Where the Audi clearly and vehemently beats out the MX-5 is in its interior quality and comfort. The first-rate interior is much more luxurious and well-equipped, while managing to remain simple, uncluttered and immaculately detailed. The semi-bucket seats are also very comfortable while still doing a good job of hugging you through bends.
The TT is also a much nicer car to go home in. And when you do eventually get stuck in a traffic jam (as we did), you will be thankful for the refinement and quietness of the TT Roadster.
Where the Audi clearly and vehemently beats out the MX-5 is in its interior quality and comfort. The first-rate interior is much more luxurious and well-equipped, while managing to remain simple, uncluttered and immaculately detailed. The semi-bucket seats are also very comfortable while still doing a good job of hugging you through bends.
The TT is also a much nicer car to go home in. And when you do eventually get stuck in a traffic jam (as we did), you will be thankful for the refinement and quietness of the TT Roadster.
It just makes more sense
Yes, it would be incredibly idyllic to drive the MX-5 down a sweeping coastal road with the roof down, wind in your face and watching the hills roll by. But the truth is that you are more likely to find yourself on Bendemeer Road with the roof up and exhaust fumes spewing out of the lorry ahead of you.
And then it clicks. The Audi TT Roadster is the better, more sensible car to be in. An agonising half hour spent half-clutching, while all the time having to listen to the conversation in the lorry next to you, can drive a man to his knees. Just ask Nigel.
Yes, it would be incredibly idyllic to drive the MX-5 down a sweeping coastal road with the roof down, wind in your face and watching the hills roll by. But the truth is that you are more likely to find yourself on Bendemeer Road with the roof up and exhaust fumes spewing out of the lorry ahead of you.
And then it clicks. The Audi TT Roadster is the better, more sensible car to be in. An agonising half hour spent half-clutching, while all the time having to listen to the conversation in the lorry next to you, can drive a man to his knees. Just ask Nigel.
The Mazda MX-5, like Nigel, is comfortable and pretty in its perfectly imperfect body
Yes, the Mazda MX-5 is less powerful, doesn't sound as good and isn't quite as pretty as the Audi TT Roadster. But it does have a legacy and history that is just as strong, for all the right reasons, and dare I say, probably even better. Believe me, I drove the Audi TT Roadster as well and I thoroughly loved it for the three reasons above.
However, the car was just too perfect. In the pursuit of German precision and perfection, it lost a certain 'soul' that is found in the rawer, chirpier and cheekier MX-5. The first thing you'd want to do once behind the wheel of an MX-5 is hit the roads and carve some corners with a smile. As with all previous generations, the MX-5 begs you to push it to its limit.
Here, then, are five reasons why I'd pick the Mazda MX-5 over the Audi TT Roadster.
Manual transmission
Proper manual transmission. The sort that leaves your left leg aching in traffic jams but has the mechanical magnetism when the roads are cleared as your left hand shifts in sync to every clutch in, as the revs climb.
Approach a sweeping right bend? Tap the brake, blip the throttle and drop a gear - pure driving at its very best. It's so refreshing to see something so small, so light, and so straightforward come out of a factory nowadays.
Proper manual transmission. The sort that leaves your left leg aching in traffic jams but has the mechanical magnetism when the roads are cleared as your left hand shifts in sync to every clutch in, as the revs climb.
Approach a sweeping right bend? Tap the brake, blip the throttle and drop a gear - pure driving at its very best. It's so refreshing to see something so small, so light, and so straightforward come out of a factory nowadays.
Rear-wheel drive
It's simple and rugged. Plus, let's not even get started on how beautifully balanced the car is - and because of this, better handling. A rear-wheel driven car spreads the weight of its drivetrain more evenly front to the rear. While fans of the quattro system will argue that all-wheel drive provides excellent traction on dry pavement and in poor weather, where's the fun in that?
The moment you start driving this thing, you immediately wonder why all other cars on the road aren't engineered to feel like an MX-5.
It's simple and rugged. Plus, let's not even get started on how beautifully balanced the car is - and because of this, better handling. A rear-wheel driven car spreads the weight of its drivetrain more evenly front to the rear. While fans of the quattro system will argue that all-wheel drive provides excellent traction on dry pavement and in poor weather, where's the fun in that?
The moment you start driving this thing, you immediately wonder why all other cars on the road aren't engineered to feel like an MX-5.
Manually folded roof
Electric roof motors used in cars like the Audi TT Roadster are heavy and that's not good for power-to-weight performance.
In addition, an electric motor can fail, which will rarely happen to a manually operated roof. The last thing you want is to get rain soaked on the expressway.
Not forgetting, the insane repair costs that the Audi would present, should its roof mechanism decide to die, will cause you sleepless nights.
Electric roof motors used in cars like the Audi TT Roadster are heavy and that's not good for power-to-weight performance.
In addition, an electric motor can fail, which will rarely happen to a manually operated roof. The last thing you want is to get rain soaked on the expressway.
Not forgetting, the insane repair costs that the Audi would present, should its roof mechanism decide to die, will cause you sleepless nights.
Naturally aspirated engine
No lag and lifelessness in the MX-5's 2.0-litre SkyActiv motor. This straight-four will happily scurry up the rev range with a charming soundtrack because the equation in a naturally aspirated motor is simple and this formula works best.
The more air you can get into the engine, the more fuel you can dump in and provide the two with a spark. Efficiency and outright power don't make sense when you're having fun in an MX-5. Sadly, the future of such naturally aspirated engines does look grim.
No lag and lifelessness in the MX-5's 2.0-litre SkyActiv motor. This straight-four will happily scurry up the rev range with a charming soundtrack because the equation in a naturally aspirated motor is simple and this formula works best.
The more air you can get into the engine, the more fuel you can dump in and provide the two with a spark. Efficiency and outright power don't make sense when you're having fun in an MX-5. Sadly, the future of such naturally aspirated engines does look grim.
Imperfections
Although the MX-5's interior ergonomics have greatly improved, the car is ramped on the inside and not very easy to get in and out of, especially for bigger-sized drivers. Road and wind noise levels are still high due to that soft-top, making the whole car feel rather flimsy at times. But who really cares right?
As Steve Maraboli said, "There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself, comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty."
Although the MX-5's interior ergonomics have greatly improved, the car is ramped on the inside and not very easy to get in and out of, especially for bigger-sized drivers. Road and wind noise levels are still high due to that soft-top, making the whole car feel rather flimsy at times. But who really cares right?
As Steve Maraboli said, "There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself, comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty."
