THE Audi TT Coup quattro has been voted Europe's Auto 1 for 1999 by representatives from the 12 motoring magazines making up the Auto Europe group.

The sporting newcomer is Audi's second winning entrant in the awards, the first being the A4 saloon which received the accolade in 1995.

The judging panel, made up of engineers, motoring journalists, Formula One racing drivers and millions of readers of the 12 magazines, including Britain's Auto Express, marked this year's eligible cars on everything from driving dynamics to environmental impact and ease of repair.

Their eventual shortlist included the Ford Focus, the Alfa Romeo 166 and the Mercedes S-Class, but when the final scores from all the parties were totalled it was the Audi TT Coup quattro which secured a decisive victory.

Due to debut in right-hand-drive guise this summer, the new Audi TT Coup quattro will be available in two guises, both powered by turbocharged 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engines with either 180 horsepower or 225 horsepower and featuring the latest electro-hydraulically controlled version of the quattro four-wheel-drive system.

Standard equipment for both models will include alloy wheels, remote control central locking, heated front sports seats upholstered in Valcona leather, a leather-rimmed sports steering wheel, electronic climate control, electric windows and mirrors and a high-specification radio cassette.

The 180 horsepower version of the new Audi TT Coup quattro will cost £26,645, rising to £29,645 for the 225 horsepower flagship.

Story date: Wednesday 17 March

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.