Overall, the TTS is a purposeful and agreeable quick coupe. In a world littered with bloaters, the svelte A3-based TT is a compact tool that you can really have fun with.

Although it's been around a little while, the Octane team has only recently got its hands on the hardcore version of the Audi TT, known as the TTS. Unsurprisingly, as it's one of Audi's 'halo' cars, the engineers have been constantly developing the car since its launch back in 2004 - first fitting a TDI under its stubby bonnet, before deciding that more powerful petrol engines were what it really needed.

Although the sonorous five-pot TT-RS now sits atop the range, the TTS, launched at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, still represents the optimal entry point for genuine performance combined in a TT-shaped package. And with 272bhp on tap, it's quick enough to frighten some of the sporting big boys.

To arrive at TTS specification, the boosted 2.0-litre TFSI power unit is linked to six-speed, close ratio manual transmission and means it shifts from 0-60mph in just 5.2 seconds and hits its maximum at a limited 155mph. Of course it's quick in that meaningless sprint, but the TTS really impresses in the corners. The TTS receives reworked power steering (which gives usefully improved feel) and enlarged brakes (which allow it to stop with even more commitment), which combine to really allow the driver to interface with the car. In short, it stops and steers with just a little more finesse than the safe-and-sound original.

Despite its magnetic ride system - its dampers are filled with a magnetorheological fluid that can damping stiffness depending on how much voltage is put through them - it's on the wrong side of stiff for typically lumpy UK B-roads. You'll joggle, duck and dive on particularly rough roads, but don't let that force you to slow down, because the TTS will cling on with devastating effectiveness. But stick to average UK A-roads, and you're going to find little to complain about. It's also delightfully compact, and that adds to your confidence - and although some road testers may bemoan its lack of feel compares with a Caymen, the TTS is certainly a quicker ground coverer, and more confidence inspiring, too.

The four-pot might lack the aural drama of its TT-RS counterpart, but it revs sweetly, and growls purposefully. The exhaust note is also delightfully old-school, and not at all becoming of a modern turbo-powered car. As for that six-speeder, it's delightfully direct and light. Full-bore upchanges are rapid, but also highlight the throttle lag from this admittedly highly tuned turbo.

Visually, the TTS has typical go-faster Audi subtle-punch. The newly designed bi-xenon headlamps incorporating trademark Audi LED strip daytime running lights, look purposeful, while the low front splitter incorporating larger air intakes and aluminium-look door mirror housings, mark it out as a TT-plus. Whether you'll feel the need to show off your car's additional prowess is open to debate, and it begs the question whether Audi's not missing a trick combining bare-bones TT styling with the 'S' running gear.

Overall, the TTS is a purposeful and agreeable quick coupe. In a world littered with bloaters, the svelte A3-based TT is a compact tool that you can really have fun with. It also flatters the driver, too - a trait shared with the R8. Does that make it less of a sports car than the Cayman or 370Z? Possibly for purists. But in the real world, with a rear world driver behind the wheel, it's every bit as capable, but a whole lot more confidence inspiring, thanks to that quattro drivetrain.

Its only major downside would be the lack of a five-pot under the bonnet. With that, it would be the perfect fast Audi that could finally come out from the shadow of its great grandfather, the URquattro...