Johannesburg - One of the criticisms levelled at Germans is that they are like machines, without passion or soul. That ignores a whole history of art, culture, music and, yes, even humour.
In terms of automotive design, the Germans are seldom put in the same league as the Italians (who copyrighted the word “sensuous”) or the Scandinavians, who, likewise, have appropriated the word “minimalist”.
Yet, if you want to see where car design – and particular interior design – is going to go in the next few years, take a look inside a new Audi TT.
Audi was always a leader in effective, form-follows-function design and driver-focused ergonomics in its car cabins, so much so that there are some car companies trying to take their interior cues from the Audi style book of a decade ago.
ELEGANT SIMPLICITY
But now, the new TT shows car design is heading even more to-wards simplicity, user-friendliness and, dare we say it, elegance?
Audi’s designers have reduced the number and type of buttons and controls which commonly litter the centre consoles of modern cars – and which have to control navigation, climate, entertainment and car functions. Everything has been moved to the central instrument binnacle and can be controlled with ease from a number of buttons on the steering wheel.
A bare minimum number of buttons occupies the central area, allowing simple one-touch changing of functions.
The navigation map – in many cars it occupies the central console space – can now be placed right in front of the driver. Also, a clever screen switch enables the main dials for speed and engine revs, to be minimised to watch size in each corner of the display.
The main attraction on the display in this mode can be any of the main functions of the infotainment or car management systems. Those, in turn, can have their sub-menus accessed by a simple thumbwheel.
It sounds complex, but is probably the most intuitive driver-car interface I have yet used. It is, quite simply, the Apple Mac of instrument design.
Another clever touch is the ventilation outlets, which are the normal round and moveable type, yet contain their operating controls in a simple round, centre boss. It sounds odd, but once you use it, you have to wonder: how come nobody thought of this before?
Outside, the TT is the same clean, well-balanced, timeless shape it has been through the previous two versions. This car will still look good in 20 years’ time. That I guarantee.
SMOOTH 2-LITRE TURBO
Under the skin, the TT is available with a potent, 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine which puts out 169kW and drives through a dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox, powering either the front wheels or all four in the Quattro version.
It will thrust you to 100km/h in around six seconds at Gauteng altitude, which is quick. Hotter versions are on the horizon too.
The TT is still a driver’s device, offering precise handling and plenty of tactile feedback from the steering.
At the same time, with its adaptive suspension set in comfort mode, it gives a decent ride… although the 19-inch optional alloy wheels on our test car probably blunted the softening action somewhat.
Not everyone wants to drive all the time like they’ve got a Formula One field following them, and the TT can also do relaxed.
There are faster cars. There are a handful which might be considered slightly sharper.
But, sitting behind the wheel, there are few cars that feel so complete.
Saturday Star