When the Government introduced the new VRT laws, they probably didn't expect it to encourage us all to buy new Audi TTs, but as Paddy Comynfound out, that might just happen
GO DOWN to your local social welfare office these days and you'll see estate agents, builders, Jacuzzi salesmen, restaurateurs and publishers all in line to collect their few euro. Right at the back, you might just see the guy who thought that changing the VRT and road tax system to a CO2-based one would be "revenue neutral" - as if the Irish were fools.
You see, as a nation, we love to pull a fast one. We like to get one over on Big Brother. For years, we were forced to spend way too much money on stupidly underpowered cars, so we always looked for a way around this.
First we started importing cars, left, right and centre. One short trip to the North or over to Britain and we came home with our fully-specced BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz and €10,000 extra in our pockets. Irish people 1; Revenue Commissioners 0.
Then after we got concerned about the environment, we were informed that there would be a new VRT system, which would seek to reduce our carbon footprint and make Ireland fresh as a daisy again. We were reassured that these changes would not be at the expense of the Government coffers.
Oh dear, someone did their sums wrong then.
Someone in an office somewhere, who probably doesn't drive, figured out that we would keep buying the same cars that we always bought, that anyone wanting a sports car would still buy a sports car regardless. There was a flaw with this thinking.
Firstly, we all stopped buying cars. With the economy going into "George-Lee-fall" and Irish buyers scratching their bewildered heads by the new VRT and road tax system, very much like the Lisbon Treaty vote, Irish buyers said no.
There will be 35,000 fewer cars bought this year compared to last year and the trick is that the ones that we have bought are very different.
If we believe that the Government really had its green hat on, then it's mission accomplished.Our new cars, on average, spew out 20g/km less CO2 than before, meaning our cars which would have been B and D cars, now are Band C, meaning less VRT and road tax to the Government coffers.
Secondly, the civil servants didn't perhaps bank on car manufacturers upping their game so quickly. BMW could probably only import silver and black 318 and 520 diesels in 2009 and still keep most buyers happy. The same could be said of Audi A4 diesels, Ford Fiesta diesels, Toyota Avensis diesels - in fact, anything with TDi, D, D-4D or HDi at the end.
One car that really beats this new system in style is the Audi TT 2.0-litre TDi. We first drove this car earlier in the yearand marvelled at just how quiet it was, how potent the engine felt and how it looked like it would be perfect for our market.
Well it is post-July now and we aren't disappointed with the way the sums turned out. With CO2 emissions of just 139g/km, the diesel-powered TT sneaks into B and B. That means you are only coughing up 16 per cent VRT on this car and even better, you are handing over just €150 per annum to tax this stunning 2+2 Coupé.
It costs just over €44,000. That is so cheap you almost feel guilty driving this car. Especially when you consider that you are getting 170bhp and 350Nm of torque for the money, as well as stunning looks.
When I say 2+2, I actually mean 2+2-halves. Calling the rear seats proper seats would be both misleading and comical. They are only really useful for holding your shopping bag in place as one of my now legless family members can testify.
Getting in and out of a TT does take a little dexterity and for the skirt-wearing among you, it can be a test of your modesty, but once inside the cabin, for the front two it does feel very spacious.
If you are thinking, 'well a diesel isn't really a sportscar', then you have been watching too much Top Gear. The diesel engine in this car is just a fraction slower to 100km/h than the 1.8-litre petrol engine, which is €555 cheaper. But it offers much more torque, better fuel economy and better motorway munching.
The diesel in the TT sounds like one from the outside, but isn't at all harsh from the driver's seat. Plus with such a mass migration away from petrol engines, the 1.8-litre petrol version is likely to become as unloved as Irish show jumpers.
Anyway, over three years, you will pay €840 more in road tax in the petrol one, so you will make up the difference in price by buying the diesel both in fuel and in road tax. Plus, for your extra €555 in the diesel, it comes with Quattro all-wheel drive, making the TDi version all the more sure-footed.
Granted, there are drawbacks. Although the diesel sound is well-maintained, it doesn't sounds a good as the petrol versions do at higher revs and of course there is the issue that you run out of revs too quickly, but this is more than made up for by the heaps of torque available under your right foot.
This really is the TT to buy. Our test car was fitted with over €8,000 worth of optional extras but even at that price, compared to some of its rivals, it still seems like something of a bargain. That is, of course, if you happen to have €44,175-plus to spend on a car, or you can find a bank to give it to you.
Compared to its rivals, Peugeot 407 Coupé aside, the Audi has them all beaten on price, although initial savings on the Peugeot would be quickly negated by the fact that it will depreciate faster than a Dublin apartment.
The 320d Coupé runs the TT close, but it is more of a rival to the A5 than the TT, with nothing really matching the Audi's style and engine combination.
This car, with this engine, has to be one of the best-buys of 2008. If you are after a sportscar, then this really should be the first place you start, until, and there is a note of caution, the Volkswagen Scirocco arrives. It will be smaller, probably cheaper and is great fun to drive.
The TT, now in its second-generation, might not have the visual impact that it did when it first came out almost 10 years ago, but it has now matured into a better car to drive and is beautifully finished both inside and out. Now with a diesel engine, it will appeal to an even wider audience. For us, with this engine, it is one of the buys of the year.
FACTFILE AUDI TT 2.0 Quattro:
Engine:1,968cc four-cylinder turbo diesel putting out 170bhp at 4,200rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1,750rpm. Six-speed manual 'box, all-wheel drive.
Specification:Standard features include 17" alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning with sun sensor, central locking, keyless entry, CD player, alcantara/leather seat covering, electric front windows, sports front seats, electronic differential lock, traction control, electronic stability programme, driver and front passenger airbag, front side airbags, servotronic, tyre mobility system. Options: black fine Nappa leather €868, S-Line exterior package €1812, S-Line sports package €2,102, 19 seven twin-spoke alloys €2,809, iPod connector €278, park assist €516, headlight washers €354.
L/100KM (MPG):Urban: 7.0 (40.3) Extra-urban: 4.3 (65.5) Combined: 5.3 (53.2)
CO2 EMISSIONS:139g/km (Band B - 16 per cent VRT) and €150 annual road tax
PRICE:€44,175