Autocar - First for car news and reviews

We've seen the 268bhp Audi TTS go on sale, and now the frugal, 168bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel model has also been added to the ever expanding TT line up.
Available to order from March this year, the TT coupé 2.0 TDI will cost £26,350 with a further £2000 needed for the open top model. That's £1450 more than the equivalent 2.0 TFSI models respectively.
It’s claimed that the coupé TDI will hit 62mph in 7.5sec, has a top speed of 140mph, can achieve 53.3mpg on a combined run and emits just 1...Read the full article

If you're gonna use the car a lot, or have it as a company car, the figures look like they add up to me. Personally, money no object I would go for the TFSi petrol or even the 3.2 if I could afford it, but I've driven the older 170bhp diesel engine in the current Golf GT and it feels bloody powerful to me - especially in 3rd and 4th above 30mph. Not as noisy as road testers would have you believe either, so the new engine should be great. I don't really like the noise and smell of diesels and prefer high revving petrols but if I had to buy diesel I would def consider this.

I've always thought the current TT had lost a little Bauhaus style compared to the old one but this diesel is a pretty convincing argument for a 21st century sporting car.

It was the only way to go really, but I agree with some of the other comments, especially the with regard to it's looks. The original is a better looking design.

I like the old one too, mainly I think because it looked so different when it came out, just like the Fiat Coupe did in its day. Think the new one looks a bit sleeker and I prefer it a little, but it is no longer as distinctive. I'd rather have a factory fresh Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo LE, which was good for 37mpg...

Tempting as a company car, but the engine won't be a patch on those offered by BMW.

Although I admired the boldness of its design I never cared for the shape of the original TT. I found it too..."dumpy" is the best way I can describe it.

In contrast the new TT, even though it has not changed that much in terms of looks somehow manages to look very desirable, if no longer possessing the originality of the previous car. And of course it is now a far better drive too. The new diesel should broaden its appeal if it is priced right.

Just hope the tdi engine does not spoil the feel good factor.

scamper:

Tempting as a company car, but the engine won't be a patch on those offered by BMW.

 

unless i've missed it.... how long till a diesel Z4?  especially in the coupe. 

 

Come to think of it a diesel TT or Z4 just seems wrong.

 And i drive a diesel BMW and have a lot of praise for diesels in general.

scamper:

Come to think of it a diesel TT or Z4 just seems wrong.

I think I agree. Sports cars should be for bringing a smile to your face. That smile will quickly disappear when the car runs out of go at 4,500rpm.

That said, BMW's decision to make a 635d is exactly right. That kind of car should be all about how many miles you can go and wafting along on a wave of torque at motorway speeds. Why don't Jaguar put the V8 diesel in their cars or Mercedes put their V8 diesel in many of their cars (in fact, I bet they do in Europe, the bastards). Mmm a CLK with a V8 diesel. Yes, please !

Interesting points about the merits (or lack of) diesel engines in sports cars.

The 635d, though more of a GT, has made a robust case for diesels and I wonder if the upcoming Audi R10 diesel will rearrange perceptions altogether.