wallyr25

I understand that the gorgeous new TTS has a tweaked up 2.0T, good for like 270hp, and quattro and that's really good. Love the 2.0 and love quattro. But I also understand it only comes with an automatic transmission, and that I am not so sure about. I have always driven manuals and really prefer the extra control you get.

So my questions to the TTS guys on the board are:

Do you know what they did to the 2.0 to generate the extra hp? and

Is the tranny the DSG and how do you like it?

Cheers

Regina_TTS

Hey Wally,

The biggest difference in engine performance between the TTS and TT is the bigger turbo on the TTS. You go from 200HP to 265HP, but where you really notice the difference is going from 207 lb-ft of torque to 258 lb-ft of torque. The TTS literally launches forward at 2000+ RPM. It even feels considerably faster than the 250HP 3.2 because the V6 lacks the torque at 230 lb-ft.

Comparing the S Tronic transmission to an automatic transmission would be like comparing the 6MT in your TT to the manual transmission of an 80's half ton. The speed it at which S Tronic shifts, combined with the acceleration of the TTS makes it a perfect match.

Had you talked to me in March when I picked up an 08 TT 3.2 6MT, we would have been in agreement on the issue of the transmission. I drove both the S Tronic transmission and 6MT versions of the 3.2 and decided hands-down on the 6MT. Previous to the 08 TT I had owned four different 6MT sports cars and even an RS4 after the TT. I was the last guy in the world you were going to convince to go with S Tronic.

Looking back though, I didn't give S Tronic a fair assessment. I obviously had it in my head that a sports car must have a traditional manual transmission and that S Tronic was more of an automatic transmission. Having revisited it, I have found that S Tronic is much better suited for a quicker accelerating car than the manual transmission. Personally I would never be able to shift the 6MT fast enough to keep up with S Tronic or to fully enjoy the acceleration of the TTS. This also allows me to focus more on the road and the handling of the car. If need be, I still have the ability to downshift or even up shift at the flick of a finger.

All that being said, it is still a very personal choice. Admittedly you don't have that choice with the TTS, but I wouldn't change mine even if I could.

You need to go out and spend some time with this transmission. If you can't drive a TTS or TT 2.0T, try taking out an A3 2.0T S Tronic or even a GTI 2.0T DSG. I can't stress enough how much more of a difference you notice with the 2.0T quickness matched with S Tronic/DSG. The TT 3.2 has more of a marginal difference between the two transmissions.

Oh, and don't even get me started on how much fun Launch Control is on the S Tronic/DSG cars!

Remember, this is all just one guy's opinion.

wallyr25

Thanks for your well thought out and well written response.

My '05 TT is listed as having 225 hp and, as you mention, 207 torque. But the owners' manual lists it as having 250hp which, needless to say, is plenty for such a little car. But whether it is 225 or 250 matters little, because with the much lower torque figure the engine is obviously a little peaky, wanting to be above 2500rpm most of the time. Still a lot of fun to drive since the gears are really quite closely spaced.

I have always had manual transmissions in over dozen cars including 3 Mercedes, where you really have to look pretty hard to get one with a clutch. And after having the TT for only a few months I am able to drive as smooth as silk shifting up and down constantly in traffic and on the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler. I love the coordination required between feet and shifting and steering. And another benefit is that my wife won't drive the car, if I got a S-tronic she'd be all over it.

That being said, I will go out test an A3 or other DSG equipped Audi. And I am relatively sure that I will be greatly impressed with the shift speeds and the added security of having both hands on the wheel at all times. I'll post my impressions once I've driven it.
Thanks Again
Cheers

Regina_TTS

No problem! I loved my 03 TT 225 as well. I have considered getting another one as a "project car" a few times. I started modding mine but didn't get to finish before I traded to the Mk2.

I'm guessing that your owner's manual is for both the 1.8T and the V6 models of 2005? The 250HP rating would be for the V6. The 1.8T was rated at 180HP on the FWD model and 225HP for your Quattro.

I'm still a big fan of the manual transmission as well. I need to replace a work vehicle and have been trying to find the right 6MT 2007-2008 A4 Avant. I love the 2009 model, but I would like to keep one car manual.

If DSG doesn't do it for you and you want to make that shifter a little more positive and much shorter throw, you need to check out the Dieselgeek Audi TT Quattro Sigma Short Shift Kit for your car. It's more a of a "race" feel in that the the shifter almost clicks into place for each gear selection. It's the first short throw shifter I have used that reduces the side-to-side throw as well.

Jazz

this all from a guy that didnt want the S tronic!! so thats saying a lot!!! from a drivers point of view.

zac1978

I had a customer take the car out for a test drive, this customer actually races cars so was a very good driver. It was this test drive that changed my mind about the transmission. I never thought a non manual could be driven like that, the shifts were perfect, the engine was ALWAYS on power, the blip on downshifts were better than years of practiced heal and toeing....

There is an art to it though, some tips he gave me were lifting off slightly as you shift and shifting around 5900rpm (not redline) so you get dropped right back into the fattest part of the torque curve.

wallyr25

OK:
I drove an A3 with the DSG transmission, and was really impressed too. The shifts are extremely quick and even when left in auto mode the feel is very sporty, especially in the sport mode. Certainly not like any slush box of old. I would still be tempted to have it in manual mode most of the time however, guess I'm a control freak.

The A3 I drove had the shifter in the usual place with no steering wheel paddles, I gather that the TT has the paddles which would make it sportier yet, once you got the hang of it.

I suspect there is a TTS in my future somewhere. But for now my TT gives me great pleasure to drive.

Cheers

Regina_TTS

Correct, the TTS does have the shifter paddles at the wheel. They are also standard on 09 A3 Quattro models if your dealer has one in stock. Once get get the hang of the paddles, it's a ton of fun!