Designed to compete with the likes of the leading BMW and Porsche models, the 2013 Audi TTS stands in between the TT and the upgraded TT RS models. A middle-ground choice, the TTS offers better performance than many sport coupes available on the market, and still comes at a better price than the luxury TT RS. Striking a balance between performance and luxury enhancements, the TTS includes a beautiful design with its own original styling cues, as well as an upscale interior made with top-quality materials. Outperformed by higher-priced alternatives such as the Porsche Boxster, the TTS offers an engaging driving experience for anyone who sits behind the wheel, as well as a comfortable ride that handles better than many cars available today. Loaded with a host of great standard features and several excellent options, the TTS is highly customizable in both appearance and comfort.
New For 2013
New this year is the S line Competition Package, which adds an S line interior, 19-inch rotor wheels wrapped in summer performance tires, a rear spoiler, a front splitter, and black exhaust tips and rear diffuser, among other items.
Exterior
Available as a coupe or a roadster, the 2013 Audi TTS incorporates an original Bauhaus style with Audi’s contemporary themes. It has a sleek, curvy design, with a tapered rear that includes a spoiler. The exterior of the TTS also includes a large lower air intake in the front, low rocker panels on the sides, a rear diffuser, and quad exhaust pipes. The convertible is fitted with a power-retractable soft top. Built of aluminum and steel, much of the placement of the steel is in the rear of the car to offset the weight of the engine and give better balance to its ride. Standard features include bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps with LED daytime running lights. The TTS comes equipped with 19-inch wheels with performance summer tires. Eight body colors are available, including Samoa Orange Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl Effect, and Glacier White Metallic.
Interior & Cargo
Typical of Audis, the TTS features a stylish interior made of high-quality materials. One of the ways in which the TTS differs from the standard TT is its offering of two-tone interior color schemes in red, silver, and orange for extra visual appeal. The optional navigation system’s placement makes it difficult to operate, though all other controls are intuitive and easy to access. The interior includes alloy and leather trim to spruce up its look. Front sport seats are made of leather and are quite comfortable, offering a generous amount of support. Rear seats are confining for taller passengers and may better serve as luggage space. When the rear seats are folded down, its ample 13 cubic feet of cargo space expands into 24 cubic feet. Considerably less spacious, the convertible offers a meager 8.8 cubic feet of cargo space, though this is decent compared to its competition. The folding soft top can seem a bit outdated compared to the more contemporary retractable hard tops available, but it folds neatly into the frame and offers a comfortable ride with surprisingly little road or wind noise when closed. Standard interior features include full-power accessories, cruise control, and climate control. Standard entertainment features include an AM/FM sound system with a CD player and MP3 playback, along with Sirius XM satellite radio service for three months. Options available include the Prestige Package, which comes with heated front seats, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and the choice of a USB interface or six-CD changer.
Safety
Standard safety accessories featured on the 2013 Audi TTS include four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, and front knee airbags. In brake testing, the TTS came to a complete stop from 60 mph in 113 feet, which is average for a car of its type and equipment. The Audi TTS has not been rated in any crash tests. For added peace of mind, a remote anti-theft system and post-collision safety system are included as standard features. Turn signal mirrors offer better placement for easier readability.
Driving Experience
Performance-wise, the Audi TTS makes certain improvements over the standard TT. First and foremost, its more powerful engine delivers an extra boost of horsepower, making the TTS more fun to drive. The TTS also beats the TT in terms of handling, as the TTS is agile at handling curvy roads with ease due to its lower suspension. Steering isn’t always as communicative as one would expect from a sports car, though it holds its own alongside the major competition. Depending on your driving whims, normal and sport modes are available. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, the Audi TTS gets 265 horsepower (hp) and 258 lb-ft of torque. Geared towards performance, the TTS delivers a bit more horsepower than the TT. The standard all-wheel-drive Quattro system is specifically designed to deliver faster response time and keeps the vehicle gripped to the road. The TTS is equipped with a six-speed, dual clutch, automated, manual transmission. It accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, which is quite respectable. Estimated fuel economy stands at 21/29 mpg city/highway, which is not bad considering the car’s overall focus on high-performance features.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Audi TTS
- BMW Z4
- Mercedes-Benz SLK
- Porsche Boxster
- Porsche Cayman