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My C7 Corvette Grand Sport is having some minor electrical problems and unfortunately my Chevy dealership experiences have not been too great in going about solving them. I have a pretty busy job, and though I love Corvettes I find the service at my local Chevy dealerships to be a bit unacceptable...and I also find having some of these electrical problems to be unacceptable in a car that is one year old. So I was thinking going with luxury car maker in the future since the Chevy dealerships around me are a little lulzworthy, and so far Audi is the brand that I most have my eye on.
I decided to rent a 2018 TTRS as it is a car that looks more unique and sporty than your typical luxury sedan/coupe but at the same time is a bit more practical than the C7 Corvette. Though I am mainly comparing this to a C7 Grand Sport I've also driven a V8 Audi R8, Alfa Romeo 4C, 997 Porsche 911 Turbo, and a Ford Focus RS and will every once in a while mention how the car stacks up against those when appropriate.
The areas I will focus on are: Power, Handling, Practicality, Style, Build Quality, and Overall Driving Experience.
Power(Powah!)
So this is kind of an interesting metric to look at between these two cars. The Audi TTRS has a 2.5L 400HP 350lb/ft torque turbo charged 5cylinder engine mated to an AWD 7 speed DCT transmission. My C7 Grand Sport has a 6.2L NA V8 producing 460HP 460lb/ft torque and is mated to a torque converter 8 speed automatic.
Chevy's claimed 0-60 time is 3.6 seconds in the Corvette Grand Sport (which honestly is not practical or possible from a dig on the streets), Audi's is 3.7 (with a lot of people measuring 3.5 in the real world on the streets). So though the power numbers skew in the Corvette's favor the Audi does realistically get the power down quicker in real life (at least up to 60).
The Audi feels similar to other low displacement turbo charged cars that I have driven. It has some initial go from the engine and then once the turbo spools up a big wave of torque and power carries it up to speed. I wouldn't say the system is "laggy" but you do gain a few thousand RPM's before you really feel the turbo kick in.
Whereas the Audi probably would beat the C7 Grandsport to 60 in the real world, I would describe it as "quick" whereas the Corvette just feels powerful almost everywhere in the RPM band. This power difference is really noticeable when driving the cars back to back.
I often criticize the Grand Sport for being too balanced of a car and too tame but compared to the TTRS it is much more visceral. The TTRS in a lot of ways is just as fast, but you kind of get to speed without feeling much effort, or excitement. So the TTRS brings you get up to speed in a rather unremarkable blur, whereas in the Grandsport you feel like you're attached to a rocket by comparison.
On the highway the Corvette is the better car to have. The extra horsepower and torque really begins to shine after 60mph, and on the highway the Corvette just puts you in any position you want to be in with all of the torque and power it has. The TTRS will get you up to speed pretty quickly, but you don't feel like you are bristling with power too much past 60. The Audi can get you to speeds in excess of 60mph quite easily, but you don't feel the sense of power or satisfaction that you do with the C7 Grand Sport.
A lot of reviewers praised the TTRS for having a really unique sound full of personality and a great exhaust mated to it. Though the car does sound nice and is definitely the most exciting sounding German car I've driven thus far (which isn't saying much) The C7 Corvette's V8 is just so much more present and pleasant to listen to. Now obviously, comparing a 6.2L V8 to 5 cylinders is kind of unfair. But I would also say that the 4cylinder Alfa Romeo 4C has an engine with more character to it as does the Ford Focus RS. The TTRS does sound about as good as the 4.2L V8 in the Audi R8 though and better than the anemic 997 Porsche 911 Turbo that I drove.
Handling
The TTRS got blasted in a lot of track focused reviews because it has a 60/40 front weight bias. The AWD system on it is also a claimed to be a little wonky as it likes to predominately send power to the front wheels, only sending them to the rear wheels when needed. Because of this, the car was claimed to be a little difficult to drive at the limit and a lot of people complained of understeer and poor turn in.
The C7 Grandsport by comparison is objectively one of the best handling cars on the market period and features the Corvette's tried and true double wish-bone, leaf spring, magnetic shock, RWD suspension setup.
In terms of steering feel, both cars are great. The TTRS feels very quick yet still connected to the road with how it steers. I believe it has an electric steering rack, but it very much feels like a hydraulic rack with how it is weighted.
The C7 feels very direct with its steering feel. I don't want to call it precise, because the large tires on all corners do muddy some of the "accuracy" you might get. But when you turn the C7 you begin to feel the suspension immediately load up and the car start figuring out how to negotiate that turn for you and that's where the directness comes from.
So I would describe the TTRS as quick, fun, and darty (but in a good way) handler. The C7 is "target locked" at all times.
The TTRS comes standard with a magnetic shock suspension but there is an optional stiffer, fixed suspension that my rental came with. My C7 comes with magnetic shocks.
Despite being the "stiffer" option, the Audi's suspension was wonderful. It absorbed bumps nicely, rarely felt unsettled, and in general it allows you to drive with great speed because you feel like you aren't getting thrown around too much. It very much displayed the German suspension characteristic of absorb all imperfections in one "bump" whereas most American cars have a big initial bump and then a few smaller bumps (C7 included)
The C7, even with the magnetic shocks in general feels much harsher. This isn't to say that the C7 feels unpleasant to drive per say, but places where I could keep pushing with the Audi I would have to take slower in the C7 for fear of getting beat up too much. The big achilles heal that no-one has talked about with Corvettes in a while is the fact that the leaf springs introduce a lot of transverse movement. Though the C7 does a great job dampening that movement...it's still there and makes it hard to really push the limits of the car because it doesn't feel as settled as it should be. I don't think Corvettes are going to feel like phenomenal handlers until those leafsprings go.
Overall both cars handle great, with the C7 definitely being the overall better and more capable handler. The issues that many reviewers had with the TTRS' front weight bias weren't really felt by me. The car planted itself really nicely and handled everything I could throw at it. The car also felt very fun to steer and drive around in thanks to its quick steering. The C7 on the flip side is just in another stratosphere. The car locks into turns and you slow down because you can't handle the G's and speed not because the car can't.
So in terms of fun, the Audi TTRS is probably the car that feel like you are driving the most because of how quick and engaging the steering can be and on the street you're not going to find the limits of the car, but you're going to have fun feeling it come to life as it turns. Though the C7 isn't as "fun" as a handler...it is pretty cool doing stupid things with the C7's crazy amount of grip. I would say that the TTRS felt very similarly to the R8 that I drove. Once it locked into a turn it just pulls you through in a way that you don't think is possible. In some ways the TTRS feels better because it weighs less so there's an agility to it the R8 doesn't have. The 4C is engaging like crazy because of its unpowered steering, but you never can push the cars' handling abilities because you physically can't turn the wheel hard enough to make the same kind of turns you can with powered steering. The TTRS in general was more comfortable and capable of a handler compared to the Focus RS.
Practicality
The C7 Corvette is easily the most practical car with supercar-ish level performance capability that is available today. Plenty of trunk space (15 cubic feet in the C7...20! in the C6) legit 30mpg highway gas mileage, lots of creature comforts (heated and cooled seats, front and rear camera,great infotainment system, generally infrequent and cheap maintenance and upkeep needs.
The TTRS might not have the raw performance envelope that the C7 has, but for what it lacks in performance it makes up for in additional practicality. It has a large hatch back trunk, rear seats (that can be folded down to make a cargo space that is even larger than the Corvette's) parking and blind spot sensors, tighter turning radius, and a ride height that you don't even have to worry about.
The C7 also has has a "sweet spot" ride height that doesn't scrape as much as older models do...but you're still taking turns at an angle.
As a daily driver that can go everywhere without you having to think or worry about being in a performance oriented car...the Audi is amazing. It's easy to get in and out of. Is great to navigate in parking lots...people can actually use the backseats (though if they are taller than 5'8" they'll hit their heads...but this is better than the Porsche 911's where the rear seats weren't even accessible by adults) and in general you could give this car to just about anybody and they'd be able to drive it.
The C7 Corvette by comparison is not bad at all to drive as a daily driver, but you're definitely aware of some of the compromises that you are making by being in a sports car. Though I drive my C7 everywhere I do worry about it about when going to busy downtown areas and often feel less flexible when navigating parking lots or dense areas because of how low, wide, and wide turning the car is.
There are a few areas where I think the C7 is actually a bit more practical.
For one it has (2) cup holders, the TTRS only has (1) which seems odd to me because adding a second was probably very doable. I feel like Audi just went with (1) because it looked better.
The Corvette has an older infotainment system but it's a better infotainment system. The TTRS uses Audi's virtual cockpit, which essentially places all of the navigation, radio information, etc that you would typically find in a center mounted screen of somesort...onto the dashboard itself. Though the virtual cockpit is pretty cool and works better than I thought it would...it is not as intuitive and makes using things like Android Auto and Apple Car Play a nightmare. This is because there is no touch screen present, and instead are quite a few buttons integrated into the steering wheel and center console. The buttons...though practical once you figure them out...are totally confusing and I found myself focusing more on how to navigate the car's menus than I did focusing on the road at times O.O
With practice I feel like TTRS' infotainment would eventually become easier to use...but with the Corvette's infotainment system anyone can figure it out in a few minutes and there's just no effort or anything that you have to think about. Mess ups and misclicks have very little consequence...whereas with the Audi you have to figure out which series of buttons will get you out of the menu you accidentally got yourself in, and it's just a bit of a hassle.
The Audi also has surprisingly limited range. After (2) days of driving it it was already getting low on gas. The C7 I can drive for about a week before needing refill. I think the dynamic and sports modes in the TTRS really start to suck up fuel efficiency, and you have to use the throttle a lot more on the TTRS to get some speed and excitement from it. With the C7 this just isn't the case.
The Audi really is a delightfully easy car to drive around day to day, but I did find the virtual cockpit to be very distracting. There's just too much clicking and button pressing. Actions that are two touches on a touch screen are five clicks, and scrolls with the virtual cockpit. Since the car does insulate you very well, it's kind of easy to forget that you're on the road and need to focus on it. So if one were to daily this car...you'd have to figure out how to make sure that virtual cockpit doesn't distract you because it can and will if left unchecked.
Style
I was a little concerned that the TTRS would look a bit like a girl car but it looks great in person. It's very well proportioned, aggressive but not over the top, and in general it feels like a good car to get into. The car also does some cool LED dancing with its headlights and turn signals. There are also "Audi" logos that project on the floor when you open the door. I've always thought that was kind of gimmicky when I've heard about it but it looks pretty cool in person. The car does have a presence to it but it isn't over the top. Just enough personality to keep you interested at all times.
The C7 on the flip side looks like a stealth fighter and I get comments about it everywhere I go. With that, the C7 also commands tons of presence on the road which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. On the positive side I feel like cars give the C7 more respect because it looks like an exotic car (so no one ever really honks at me, tries to get overly aggressive with me, and often people change lanes for me when I come up behind them). On the negative side...I feel like because so many eyes are on the C7 you can't really get too crazy with it because everyone will see it.
Every ding, scratch, and paintchip feels like I am ruining the beauty and purity of my C7 Corvette. I don't feel like I would be as heartbroken or concerned about things like that in the Audi.
Though the C7 looks very compelling on the outside, the Audi looks absolutely amazing on the inside. There's quilted leather seats, stylish airvents, carbon fiber and alcantara all over the place. High quality interior LED lighting. It's just a fantastic looking interior and a great place to be. The C7's isn't bad by any means...and isn't necessarily trying to win too many interior contests, but the Audi is the first time I've gone "man that's an interior I want to have" and this is from someone who places a low value on interior quality and styling.
Overall in terms of style the C7 is a car that you walk up to and go "man...I can't believe I get to drive it" and it's styled so strongly that you can tell that other people are ogling at it as you get inside. The TTRS speaks to you in its own special way though, and if you've already experienced all of the attention that a strongly styled car can bring, you can really appreciate the styling on the TTRS for all that it is.
Build Quality
I am generally pretty annoyed with reviews that praise foreign luxury interiors and poo-poo American interiors, because I feel like a sports car is about going fast and having fun...not necessarily wrapping yourself in wealth and worrying about what things look and feel like. Likewise...I've felt like used luxury interiors haven't held up very well over the years, at least in my experience...whereas the American ones...though not as nice initially, still kind of look like themselves after a few years.
Think of it like the super hot girl in high school who looks like a trainwreck by age 40. You see the decline. Compare this with the average looking girl who still kind of looks like her young self after all of those years and you realize that she must have fared through life pretty well.
Anyways...the build quality on the Audi is way better all around and I am starting with the interior because this is the place where it shouldn't hold up well. The car uses real leather, has alcantara, gloss, carbon fiber, and just nice fragile things all over the place and my 10,000 mile rental car that probably gets beat to hell everyday looks and feels brand new.
My C7 by comparison, which is a little over one year old and has 15,000 miles on it is already showing some issues. The steering wheel leather is wearing poorly, there's an indentation on the door leather where my elbow rests because GM used a foam formula that wasn't dense enough. I have a loose connection in my driver's side door speaker, and the car has a few small rattles.
The paint on the Audi looks and feels more substantial than the paint on the Corvette. I know that's an odd call out but that's something I totally notice when looking at the two side by side. Everything also feels very "solid" with the Audi whereas things tend to feel a bit more flimsy or hollow with the Corvette.
The Audi is a bit more insulated to road noise and is generally quieter (it probably helps that it doesn't have huge tires on it or a targa top!) but the C7 isn't bad by any means.
This is not to say that the C7 is not a pretty well-made car...because it definitely is...but the Audi feels like it can last a really long time whereas I'm already planning to dump the C7 after its warranty expires because I don't think it's going to hold up too reliably long term.
Mechanically there are a few things that I think the C7 actually does a bit better though.
The brakes on the C7 seem to be a lot stronger and just more reliable to lean on (and I'm using the stock steel brakes. The TTRS has Carbon ceramics in the front and steels in the rear). I can see myself needing to change out the Audi brakes much sooner than the C7 brakes.
Despite being a rather strongly criticized, "slow" shifting torque converter transmission. The C7's transmission is on top of things and feels very dialed in. You can tell that it's just trying to perform at a very high level to give you power and performance when you need it. The S-tronic 7Speed DCT in the Audi is good, shifts fast, and is generally smooth for driving in automatic mode. It just feels like it's kind of anemic, or not sure how to really get you the power that you need.
I feel like both transmissions will hold up well over time...but the C7's is almost more enjoyable to have because it is integrated into the car better.
In general though...the Audi does beat the C7 in build quality across the board.
Overall driving experience
So would I buy an Audi TTRS? Yes...but only if I also had a Corvette in the garage. The thing with the TTRS is that it is a great all around performer but it isn't phenomenal in enough areas to satiate all of your desires. If we were to give this car numerical rankings it would get 7's and 8's in every category. It's quick, but doesn't necessarily feel like it is powerful. Handles well, but you know there's cars out there doing it better. It looks great and feels great, but you don't necessarily dream about it like you would some of the other sports cars that are out there today.
That being said...for someone who already has a great performing sports car (like me) it's probably the perfect car to have because you would be the only person who could appreciate how great it is across the board. You'd appreciate the fact that it looks unique, but not flamboyant. It would be just different enough where you wouldn't have to hold your head in shame for driving some stupid coupe, sedan, crossover (or god forbid) SUV. It would handle well enough to put a huge smile on your face, while also reminding you of the amazing things that your other car can do. You could fit more than (1) other adult in it! You would have as much, if not more storage than your sedan and coupe counterparts! It would be fast enough for you to beat almost anything that isn't a Tesla out of a stoplight, but not too powerful enough that you would feel like you would have to restrain yourself. You'll smile realizing that you can floor it stop light to stop light without much consequence because that's something you just can't do with your other car.
However if the TTRS was my only car I think I would grow tired of it. For me the biggest thing is that it just doesn't have enough presence to it. In my C7 I feel like I command the roads and can challenge just about anyone. I've beaten V10 Audi R8's, kept up with Huracan's, and when cars start to run out of wind getting north of 80 mph, the C7 just pulls like a freight train like it's nothing. The C7 has a presence to it that commands respect. In the TTRS you're having your fun and hoping that no one really sees. In the C7 all eyes are on you and you are always setting an example.
Beyond that...the TTRS does feel a little too gutless to me compared to the C7. Not a single review of the TTRS complains about its power, but once you feel the raw torque and responsiveness of the C7's engine it's really hard to go back to a car with smaller displacement...even if it can get that power to the ground incredibly well. The exhaust is also a little disappointing because of how subdued it is. It just isn't satisfying or surprising enough to keep someone happy for a long time.
I feel like this car definitely needs to be modded. It does so many things really well and there's a lot of potential there. It just needs some help getting from a 7 in a given area to a 9. Throw a bigger spoiler on the back and some cool aero stuff and the car will scream with personality. Tune the transmission so that it's more aggressive and you'll start to feel more connected with the car. Throw a louder exhaust on the car so it has a bit more of a soul to it, and then remap the turbo so the car can make you just a little afraid of the gas pedal and you have an absolute winner.
The problem is...I've never once felt like I have had to mod my C7 Grand Sport. The car has everything I need in great abundance. When I drive it...I have to show restraint because I am the limiting factor. With the Audi TTRS you mash the pedal and go "comeon give me more, give me more!" with the C7 you mash the pedal and pray that it wasn't accidentally too much.
Still! Of the cars that I have driven. The TTRS is so far the only car I would buy to compliment a Corvette. The R8 is too expensive (and...slower?). The Alfa Romeo 4C isn't practical enough. The Porsche 997 911 Turbo is just a snooze fest and the Focus RS is too boy racer. Sedans and Coupes don't do much for me because they are too heavy nowadays.
The Audi TTRS really is a great car to enjoy driving around town fast in, which is something the C7 really has trouble with. The C7 goes from comfortable cruiser to "kill everything" mode very fast without much "sporty, safe, fun" in between. The TTRS by contrast can be a lot of "sporty, safe, fun" and it can also be incredibly comfortable and easy, it just lacks a bit of a soul or edge to it. If you already have a car that has an edge to it, you'll love everything about the TTRS. If you haven't experienced that yet though...you'll be dreaming of something more despite the TTRS doing a great job fulfilling just about every logical need you'd have.
tl:dr The C7 Grand Sport is probably the more fulfilling car to own but the Audi TTRS is a great all around fun car to have. Only complaint is the really wonky infotainment system.
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