This V6 has the Haldex four-wheel-drive system, which normally sends 85 per cent of drive to the front axle, but can send 100 per cent to either end.
The 3.2-litre V6 produces 247bhp at 6300rpm and 236lb ft of torque from 2500-3000rpm. With forward motion comes lots of sound: a gritty growl borne of intake and exhaust noise and unique in timbre. It’s quick: 60mph from rest in 5.8sec and 153mph on our high-speed test bowl.
The six-speed manual gearbox flicks precisely between ratios. A twin-clutch paddle-shift automated gearbox (now called S-tronic rather than DSG) is a £1400 option. Although the V6 is admirably flexible (30-70mph takes 5.6sec), it can feel a touch toothless when you crack open the throttle. It also runs out of puff: it’s asthmatic once you’re past the 6300rpm power peak.
Where a Porsche flat-six will scream with pure intensity to the red line, the TT simply gets louder and coarser. And where a BMW straight six will go through many phases of noise and character as you explore the rev range, the Audi only has one note in its repertoire. It’s effective – and not too thirsty, averaging a respectable 22.4mpg in our hands – but no thoroughbred.
But where the old car felt stodgy, the new car is able and willing to change direction. Where the old car rode with wooden stoicism, the new one is far more subtle. The steering has precision and linearity, but at higher speeds you crave more communication, finding yourself twitching the steering wheel in a futile attempt to eke out an impression of the road.
Pushed hard, the TT will understeer; lift off and it tightens its line politely. Accelerate hard out of a corner and you can feel more drive being directed to the rear wheels, but the process often feels slightly awkward, and your right foot has very little influence over the car’s trajectory. The innate balance, feel and driver reward of the Porsche, or even Nissan’s 350Z, aren’t available here.