Good news for those aspiring to put an Audi TT in their garage is that Audi South Africa has just launched a new variant that brings the entry point to TT ownership down from R432 000 to R392 000.
The bad news is that the lower price point comes standard with an engine downgrade. As its name implies the new 1.8 TFSI Coupe model is powered by Audi's familiar 1.8-litre turbopetrol engine, which pushes 118kW and 250Nm in this application.
The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual or S-Tronic double-clutch gearbox and the car may prove a little sprightlier than you'd expect - remember 68 percent of the TT's body is hewn from aluminium.
According to claimed figures, the 1.8 TFSI will run from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 224km/h.
The car's 1240kg kerb weight also brushes off on the economy figure, with Audi claiming combined consumption of just 6.4 litres per 100.
Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, multi-function steering wheel, Xenon Plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The new entry-level model will not be available in Roadster format.
PRICES
TT COUPE
1.8 T manual (118kW) - R392 000
1.8 T S Tronic (118kW) - R409 000
2.0 T manual (155kW) - R432 000
2.0 T S Tronic (155kW) - R449 000
2.0 T Quattro manual (155kW) - R537 500
TT RS Quattro manual (250kW) - R716 500
TT RS Quattro S Tronic (250kW) - R732 000
TT ROADSTER
2.0T manual (155kW) - R467 500
2.0T S Tronic (155kW) - R484 500
2.0T Quattro manual (155kW) - R573 000
TT RS Quattro manual (250kW) - R752 600
TT RS Quattro S Tronic (250kW) - R768 000