THE Audi TT Roadster has become a brand icon and is instantly recognisable from any distance.

Its new three-layer fabric roof can be stowed in just 10 seconds and up to speeds of 31mph in a compartment behind the passengers' heads and in front of a decent 280-litre boot which is not compromised when the roof is folded.

There's a wide choice of engines to choose from, ranging from the 65.7mpg 2.0 TDI ultra model I drove, to the very hot 306bhp TTS, with a 227bhp 2.0 TFSI slotted in between.

The two petrol models are available with a choice of a six-speedmanual gearbox and a six-speed dual-clutch S tronic auto, while the 2.0 TFSI comes in a choice of front and four-wheel drive and the TTS in four-wheel drive only.

Although the roadster weighs 90kg more than the equivalent coupe, it still offers bags of pace and feels just as agile.

This latest design is not revolutionary - just a refinement of a winning formula. It looks great with its sculpted bodywork, large hexagonal front grille and eye-catching alloy wheels (18-inch on Sport models and 19-inch on S line models), while the LED headlights and taillights add to its unique look.

A flat boot deck, the removal of the small rear seats and new rollover bars give the Roadster its own style and it looks fabulous with the roof up or down. Things get even better on the inside where a mixture of quality materials, design and technology combine to create a superb cabin.

It is dominated by a 12.3-inch high-definition screen that replaces the traditional instrument cluster and comes as standard on all models. The virtual cockpit puts all the sat-nav, infotainment and driving data right in front of the driver in a variety of configurations.

As you would expect from Audi the rest of the interior is elegant and well screwed together and the climate controls are incorporated into the air vents to provide another nice touch.

You can personalise your Roadster by choosing from four interior colours, three roof colours and 11 different exterior shades.

The newcomer rides on the latest VW group MQB platform and although it features loads of new technology and equipment, it still weighs the same as its predecessor.

The roadster feels just as good as the coupe and corners well with hardly any body roll. It provides bags of grip, is very agile and although the suspension is reasonably firm it deals with bumps without making you uncomfortable.

The diesel provides excellent performance and reaches 62mph in just 7.3 seconds before going on to a top speed of 147mph.

It is very frugal and is capable of a claimed combined 65mpg - although if you enjoy driving it well you will not get anywhere near that.

The car I tried is the most efficient model in the range by some distance and as a result, it emits only 114g/km of CO2 and so company car buyers will only pay 18 per cent BIK, while road tax is free for the first year and then £30.

The roadster features all the latest Audi safety equipment includingblind spot assist, active lane assist, park assist and traffic sign recognition.

A top quality premium product this ultra model also makes great financial sense and will allow you to pose without the pain.

The third generation arrived last November and it was recently joined by the roadster version.

Back in 1998 the original TT was a sensation and it is still hugely popular in the UK where it sells in larger numbers than even in its native Germany.

The latest roadster shares the stunning good looks of the coupe and competes directly with the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK.