Audi appears to be having quite the year so far, what with its fabulous R8 model acting like an award magnet for just about every trophy the automotive industry has to dish out.

Yes, they certainly seem to be sitting at the top of the pile at the moment and basking in some well-deserved glory.

Everything coming out through Audi's factory doors today has that certain "wow factor" attached to it.

I say good luck to them; after all, it wasn't that many years ago that the motoring press was saying some pretty unsavory things about Audi. Those were the dark days, when the company appeared plagued with quality issues and were struggling somewhat in North America.

In my book, Audi employees should give themselves a huge pat on the back for turning the company around in such a short space of time. After all, there are other manufactures, mentioning no names, that have suffered similar problems over the years, and yet never managed to claw themselves out, or purrfect the same outcome!

Naturally, credit for this turn around must be shared by all departments, but I believe that Audi's design team might be worthy of a slightly larger slice of that, because everything coming out through the factory doors today has that certain "wow factor" to it. The R8 is certainly a testament to that fact, but so is the little roadster which I'm testing this week, the Audi TT 2.0 TFSI.

When you see one of these come up behind you in the rear view mirror, it wouldn't be hard to mistake it for an R8 at first. I would put that down to the similar looking headlights, which, I don't think anyone would deny, are a striking feature on either car.

Of course, with a quick glance in your mirror, you may confuse the models, but you won't have trouble identifying the manufacturer because the TT Roadster carries the now famous Audi front Grille.

I say famous, because there are a couple of interesting stories behind that. Firstly, there are aftermarket companies which sell bumper and grille packages to update the older style Audi, to look like the current models. That in itself proves just how popular the new design is. However, if you want further proof, just take a wander around an auto show this year and see how many other manufacturers seem to be copying Audi's bold frontal look. What is it they say..."imitation is the greatest form of flattery"!

When you see one of these come up behind you in the rear view mirror, it wouldn't be hard to mistake it for an R8 at first.

That must be annoying, yet at the same time, rewarding to the Audi designers. Luckily for them, nobody has yet decided to copy the remaining shape and style of the TT, and as with all Audi products, it stands out in a crowd.

Now after saying that, the TT doesn't hit you like my Uncle in his pink and yellow shirt that he brought back from Hawaii does. No, the TT is bold no doubt, but in a stylish and handsome way.

The 2.0 TFSI motor doesn't sound like a huge chunk of engine, but in a car of its size and weight, it moves!

The rather bulbous front, unusual on a sports car, presents a certain powerful stance, and leads you to believe that there is more under the hood of the beast than you first thought. In fact, when you drive the TT, you realize that is actually true!!

The 2.0 TFSI motor doesn't sound like a huge chunk of engine, but in a car of its size and weight, when coupled to the delightful six speed s-tronic transmission, it moves! In fact, this little hot rod goes from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, and runs the quarter mile in just 14.8 seconds.

Of course, after mentioning the transmission, I have to say that the change ups that the unit produces are amazing. From a standing start, the rapid blip blip of the gear changes makes you feel like you're in a Formula One car! Oh, and it sounds great too!

I should also mention, that the flat bottomed steering wheel, just like that of the R8, adds to this racy feeling as well.

This brings me nicely to the interior.

Anyone who has ever sat inside an Audi product knows how well designed the interiors are. Audi just has a way of perfecting a classy, yet sporty, environment like no other manufacturer, and over the years, that has become one of their trademarks.

Everything feels tight and well put together in the TT. The seating surfaces are firm yet friendly; and a typical German quality feel is forever present.

Anyone who has ever sat inside an Audi product knows how well designed the interiors are.

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".

The TT's power roof opens up in just 12 seconds, and thankfully, it closes just as quickly!

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?

So after driving the TT for a couple of days I suddenly realized that there was no quattro decal on the back of my car.

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.

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

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!