Audi TT Vs BMW Z4: The Clash of the Coupes
- by Kunal Khadse
- Dec 21, 2009
- | Views: 24349
First there was the Audi TT, and now with the BMW Z4's entry we have two of the hottest sports coupes from Germany ready to be lapped up by India. Sopan Sharma and Abhishek Nigam pit the cars against each other, and defend their choices!
The Audi TT in its new form has been thrilling enthusiasts with its shape and sense since 2006, and was made available to Indian buyers last year. Not only is it one of the most elegant looking sports coupes in the international market, it also got a headstart on most other cars of the same category in India. Internationally, the TT comes with a host of engine options - ranging from the front-wheel drive 2.0-litre petrol to the one that we had - a full blown 3.2-litre V6 with four wheel drive.
But the reason this story came into existence was because of the launch of another sportster. This one comes from the three-lettered car maker from Munich, and has been sending enthusiasts in a tizzy with its aggressive lines and Casanova characteristics. The BMW Z4 has also received an upgrade and it has stepped away from its Bangle influences and moving further into macho territory. Plus, it's a Beemer, which means it probably goes like stink. The perfect set up for a face off then? Hell yes!
The 2009 BMW Z4, visually, is the perfect amalgamation of creases and curves. It has a long nose that bulges up, reaching above the level of the lower edge of the windshield, making it seem like you're piloting a World War II fighter plane. For all practical purposes, the Z4 looks like a roadster on steroids. It is much more conservative on the inside though, but just as expected from any Beemer, the ergonomics are spot on. The elegant and well executed cockpit simply wraps around you. And that really helps when it comes to pedal-to-the-metal fun in the car, which borders on being vicious thanks to the massive 3-litre twin turbo inline six housed under that expansive hood. The Z4's 3-litre unit thumps out a massive 307 PS and 400 Nm of torque. 100 km/h comes up in a scant 6.3 seconds and the quarter mile is done with in a blistering 14.8 seconds. Keeping outright acceleration aside, the car's midrange power delivery is just as impressive.
Look at him, being all cool with his shades on. He just grinned at me through the window, stepped on the gas and sped away. A show-off, just like any sportscar enthusiast - all-go, little sense. Am I jealous? Of course not. What I am driving may not look as hot as the BMW Z4 and may not keep up with its vicious acceleration in a straight line, but it beats the flashy convertible in good, plain sense. And it feels good from the inside too. Sweet car, this Audi TT.
The TT has been Audi's sportster of choice for many years now, and in its second redesigned iteration it certainly makes a much larger statement on the street compared to its predecessor. In fact, this same design garnered a bucketful of 'Design of the Year' awards when it was launched in 2006. Curvaceous, compact and uncluttered, the TT may not look like it is out to eat other cars on the road, but carries almost the perfect design for someone who wants to look fast, and not scream about it.
And go fast, it does. The 3.2FSI six-cylinder engine pumps out a healthy 250PS of power and 320Nm of torque. It does not disintegrate other cars in terms of acceleration, but aided by its compact dimensions and that awesome Audi Quattro four-wheel drive system, it would happily outcorner most cars on a tight set of twisties without breaking a sweat. Not only does that make the TT a safer car, it also makes it a really easy car to go fast in. Favourite ghat approaching ahead. Must reel in the cool guy with his shades in the sharky Z4.
Since sports comes first in sports coupes, let's speak of performance before anything else. In terms of numbers, the BMW Z4 has the Audi TT covered. Be it power, torque, quarter mile times or seconds spent speeding to a 100 km/h, the Z4 outperforms the TT in almost all respects - and it should too, given that the Beemer is a good Rs 15 lakh more expensive than the Audi. The TT does not make any excuses about its performance, however. Give it a real world road and not a dragstrip, and watch it keep up with the Z4 merrily. Sports cars are meant to be a little over the top, a little scary - but we don't believe that should be held that against the confidence and safety that the TT's Quattro system brings with it.