Audi TT Coupe review

The first thing that strikes you is how simple the dashboard is, with just a handful of clearly labelled buttons set neatly into the fascia. This minimalist approach has been made possible by positioning the infotainment screen – which displays everything from the stereo readout to the sat-nav’s map – behind the steering wheel. So where you’d normally find regular analogue dials, in the TT there's a 12.3in digital screen that you can configure to display lots of different information right below your line of sight. Audi calls it a Virtual Cockpit.

Drivers of most shapes and sizes will be able to get comfortable, thanks to plenty of adjustment to the steering wheel and the supportive seat. Electrically adjustable lumbar support costs extra if you go for Sport trim (and is worth adding) but comes as standard on all other TTs. Fully electric seats are a pricey option across the range.

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The TT’s sleek styling and high waistline restrict your view a bit, but visibility isn’t too bad by coupe standards – especially out of the front.

Pulling out of junctions requires a bit of neck craning, though, and it’s pretty stingy that Audi doesn’t fit rear parking sensors as standard (you have to pay extra for them).

The fact that the 12.3in colour display is behind the steering wheel, where you’d normally find the instrument dials, rather than in the middle of the dashboard, is largely good news, because it means you don’t have to divert your eyes far from the road to see it. However, it does make it hard for your passenger to help out with tapping in a postcode or choosing a radio station.

Thankfully, the system is easy for the driver to use. You control it by twisting and pressing a big rotary dial between the front seats, and there are also some handy shortcut buttons to take you directly to specific functions.

A DAB radio and USB socket come as standard but, disappointingly, sat-nav costs extra – and is available only as part of a fairly pricey Technology Pack.

The TT’s interior really is something to behold, with solid-feeling and high-quality materials throughout and panel gaps so small that they’re practically non-existent. In fact, the TT’s interior is so smart that it shames those of far more expensive sports cars; even a Porsche 911’s doesn’t look or feel significantly more special.