Audi TT Coupe 45 TFSI quattro 2019 UK first drive

That the TT hasn’t really changed all that much since that first radical concept was revealed back in 1995 is testament to the strength of Audi’s industrial design.

It made the jump from show car to production car with only minor modifications, and you can still see that heritage in this facelifted third-generation model.

Rather than mess with a winning formula (this being the sports coupé us Brits buy more of than anything else), it will hardly surprise that Audi’s styling tweaks for 2019 are subtle. A honeycomb-effect makeover for the front grille, larger side air intakes, some new wheels and two new colour options largely keep the base TT looking fresh, while S-Line models go more aggressive with a full-length front splitter and rear diffuser.

Standard specification has seen a boost, too, with electrically folding, heated door mirrors and Audi’s drive select modes included across the range.

It’s underneath that sees more sweeping changes, with the 1.8-litre base engine of the outgoing car replaced by a more potent 2.0-litre four-cylinder. The entry-grade 40 TFSI gets 192bhp, while the mid-range 45 TFSI, as tested here, sees 242bhp. A more powerful still 302bhp tune is reserved for the TTS. All now come equipped with a petrol particulate filter, while diesel has been exorcised from the range completely.

Suspension remains by MacPherson struts at the front, four-link at the rear. Only front-wheel-drive models can be equipped with a manual gearbox; our car had quattro all-wheel drive and the new seven-speed, dual-clutch S Tronic automatic ’box, which is both faster and lighter than the six-speed set-up found in the old car.

On the road, the TT is as reassured as it ever was, with an abundance of grip that allows for confident cornering at sufficiently high speeds. It’s agile and happy to change direction, while always staying controlled.

We noted that the new seven-speed gearbox was a welcome improvement on our first drive of the more powerful TTS on the Isle of Man last year, and that rings true here as well, especially in manual mode. It is much more willing to shift up and down with a flick of a paddle, with none of the hesitation of the old six-speed unit.

The TT may now be outpaced in a straight line by the top hot hatchbacks, but still manages the 0-62mph sprint in a very healthy 5.2sec - 0.2sec faster than the similarly priced BMW Z4 sDrive30i. That it does so in a manner that’s largely free from drama is what will irk purists.