When Audi announced the second-generation TT, I must admit that I was expecting a train wreck. I was sure that Audi would try once again to shift the goalposts much as the original TT did upon its launch in 1998. Not optimistic about their chances of success, most in the office figured we’d be seeing something that looked as if it had fallen out of the ugly tree and clouted every branch on the way down. Not so. Although Walter De Silva’s design could stand accused of playing it safe, it’s a handsome car and that, above all, was what sold the old TT. Look a little closer at the technical specifications and it’s clear that Audi was intent on progressing the TT as a driver’s car, something for which the old model never really garnered a solid reputation.

A series of high-profile crashes caused Audi to emasculate the old TT, modifying the suspension, fitting ESP stability control to all models, and adding a rather ugly rear spoiler. All the TT did was what any ‘proper’ performance car does and that is allow a degree of oversteer when lifting off the throttle. Enthusiasts call this ‘chassis adjustability’ but the TT didn’t sell exclusively to enthusiasts – hence the embarrassing about face. The latest car respects the limitations of its target audience – to a degree.

Launched in September 2006 in both fixed head and drop top body styles in either a 2.0TFSI front-wheel drive guise or 3.2-litre V6 quattro form, the TT was a far more satisfying drivers’ car than the original. The TT-S model, launched in 2008 in both coupe and roadster forms – is a car that won’t make you feel too sore if a Porsche Cayman is beyond the budget. If budgets are tight, the TT TDI diesel, launched concurrently with the TT-S, might be just the ticket.

The range got bigger still with the introduction of the entry-level 1.8-litre turbo Roadster model in 2009 followed by the mighty TT RS with 340bhp from a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine.