Audi always seems to know when to stop with the gimmicks, if you know what I mean. They may include a little shiny part here and there, but it is seldom overdone. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, although some may describe Audi's products as being understated, I'd rather term them "perfectly blended".

Of course, since my tester is a convertible, I really should relate something to you about that. However, as we are in the midst of a rather cruel winter, and because it's nearly the end of March and there is still snow on the ground, I'll make it short and sweet. The TT's power roof (optional on the 2.0 TFSI) opens up in just 12 seconds, and thankfully, it closes just as quickly!

Besides, if you've ever looked at a TT roadster with the roof up, you'll understand when I say, it looks as good up as it does down. You know, a lot of companies today are going the retracting hard top route, but I'm glad that Audi is sticking the traditional soft top. Hard tops tend to take up more valuable space, and add weight to the vehicle. With the technical advancements that have been made to soft tops over recent years, I don't see enough benefit in the hard shells.

Now you might think that I've gone on and on about how wonderful the TT Roadster is, and therefore, I'd be amiss if I didn't point out one of two issues that I have with it. After all, there is not a car company who has come up with the perfect automobile yet. Well, at least not in my books.

Number one, is the rather cheap looking fake roll bar coverings. I know that other manufacturers have also annoyed me with this. In fact, BMW's Z4 springs to mind immediately that I mention it. But why do they insist on making these things out of shiny plastic. If you're going to produce something with the look of aluminum, why not simply make it out of the stuff?

It might sound like a minor thing to complain about, but if I owned one, I'd be running down to the local upholster and getting him to cover it in leather or even paint it, because I just couldn't live with this look.

Another small peeve of mine was the lack of keyless ignition on my tester. After all, it came well equipped, but the price as tested figure was $58,400 (base price $49,900). How is it, I can jump into a much cheaper Japanese product, without having to fumble around in my pockets for the key?

Ok, that's my little dig for the day, I'll now tell you what absolutely astounded me about the TT, well, at least the 2.0 TFSI anyway. You see, not having paid much attention to the speaker at the auto show launch of the new TT (I was probably gazing towards the Maserati display, and the young ladies in their evening gowns!), I hadn't realized that the 2.0 version of the TT, was in fact, a FWD vehicle.

So after driving the TT for a couple of days, and several fast green light accelerations (all in the cause of professional evaluation you understand!), I suddenly realized that there was no Quattro decal on the back of my car.

I scoured the truck lid for signs of where it had been, thinking that some good for nothing young urchin had whisked it off in the local car park, and that it was now proudly dangling from his silver plated necklace which adorned his neck (the one which I wanted to wring!). It was only them that I read the pile of literature that Audi had, together with the car, supplied me, and realized my mistake.

I tell you, you could have knocked me down sideways! Because I would have sworn that it was AWD, the vehicle had so much traction!

So there you have it, I shall now leave you wondering...did he mention that because he's proud to be an idiot, and couldn't tell the difference between a FWD vehicle and an AWD, or is he just angling for a ride in the 3.2 Quattro version later in the year, when the weather is better?

All I can say is... call me the local village halfwit if you like, but I enjoyed my week in the TT immensely!

Of course, if Audi wanted to loan me an AWD convertible model, say around mid July, just in time for "Where have you been, you've got such a nice tan", and allow me to fully appreciate the outstanding capabilities of their Quattro TT, I guess, I wouldn't turn them down!