It would seem, what could a car for 30 thousand and one for 80 have in common? Different status, different dynamics, different dimensions. But if you dig deeper, their goal is the same — to bring joy to driving. It is this criterion that we decided to make the main one in our impromptu duel, where two completely dissimilar cars met. Who should we start with?
Audi TT — Vadim Gagarin
A cabriolet is always a celebration, and a roadster is a double celebration. When it comes to a stylish toy like the Audi TT Roadster I got, it's already a real dream, and not only for romantics, but also for the most down-to-earth pragmatists.
Without a doubt, it's a "she." Seductive body lines, expensive 19-inch wheels, luxurious leather upholstery. This lady is a burning brunette, because her fabric roof is black. It's best to walk such a beauty exclusively in the warm season.
Although, who knows, maybe our romance will last all twelve months. After all, this Audi is equipped with the proprietary quattro all-wheel drive system, and the multi-layer top, as the creators assure, can protect the driver even from unexpected frosts. We won't test this in practice by putting the car in a freezer. So we just open the roof and go for a ride!
But I'm in no hurry to press the gas pedal right away. I enjoy the moment a little more, studying the luxurious interior of the Audi — and it really impresses. What are the caramel-colored seats with fashionable "cowboy" stitching worth! And the sports steering wheel with a beveled rim is a clear hint at racing ambitions.
And indeed, this TT can surprise its companion not only with a folding roof and stunning design — under the hood hides a 3.2-liter "six" with 250 horsepower. If you press the gas pedal to the floor, you can fully enjoy the amazed expression on the passenger's face. And at the same time, don't get distracted by gear changes — the robotic S-tronic gearbox, as the well-known DSG is called here, is responsible for this. It, by the way, copes with its task flawlessly.
And what a sound! And we're not even talking about the excellent Bose audio system, but about two chrome exhaust pipes that gladly voice all 250 "horses." The engine loudly and demonstratively expresses its superiority over other road users. And when S-tronic does rev-matching, the V6 starts to growl angrily at the whole neighborhood. I'd like it to be even louder — after all, it's a sports cabriolet!
The multi-layer roof of the TT Roadster folds in just 12 seconds and stows where the coupe had rear seats. By the way, on base versions of the TT Roadster, the top has to be folded manually.
The Audi TT Roadster, perhaps, fully justifies its title. Excellent dynamics, a resilient suspension, and decent brakes turn any straight road into a race track. But you shouldn't get carried away, especially if you value your hairstyle. Already at speeds over a hundred, the wind starts to wander in the cabin. A small electrically operated wind deflector helps, but not too effectively.
If you want to actively conquer corners, just do two simple things. First, press the button near the gear lever, which switches the Magnetic Ride dampers (tricky struts with fluid containing tiny metal particles that react to the electromagnetic field and instantly change stiffness) to sport mode. Then — move the S-tronic selector to position S. And then the reactions of the nimble roadster will become even sharper.
The chic and at the same time sporty interior is excellent both in design and ergonomics. But, even despite the low seating position, it's drafty here.
There is, however, one thing that can upset avid racers. The weight of the six-cylinder engine, pressing on the front axle, takes its toll. And all the engineering tricks, including aluminum body parts (as many as 58%), could not completely rid the TT Roadster 3.2 of some laziness. The car pushes a bit at corner entry. At the same time, the chassis is very grippy, and you can only throw the Audi into a drift with outright provocation.
Still, the TT Roadster is not a purebred sports car. Yes, this car is fast as lightning, but instead of lapping a race track or conquering mountain serpentines, it's much more interesting to "wipe the nose" of important Mercedes and BMW drivers at traffic lights. When that gets boring, the TT is quite suitable for calm rides. True, you won't be able to avoid the attention of others. However, there are more modest cars for that. For example, the Peugeot 207 CC.
Peugeot 207 CC — Dmitry Abramov
Before getting acquainted with this car, some of us were sure that Peugeot designers had finally gone astray. The latest models of the French brand did not have the harmony that distinguished the 307 and, of course, the 206. The features of the new Peugeots seemed somewhat exaggerated. But the Peugeot 207 CC managed to change our opinion.
I remember when we tested the 207 hatchback, we were very pleased with its interior — stylish and comfortable. All these compliments can be safely addressed to the cabriolet as well, with one exception. The rear seats. The hatchback wasn't known for its spaciousness in the second row either. And if you decide to seat someone in the back of the 207 CC, it's better if it's, for example, a bag. People have nothing to do there.
But the entire interior literally blossoms when bright sunlight hits it. For this, of course, you need to fold the roof, and this procedure takes only 25 seconds. True, you can do it either in a parking lot or while moving at a snail's pace. However, it's unlikely to upset anyone.
You won't be able to race around much in the Peugeot 207 CC, but for leisurely drives, this car suits better than any other.
I got the version with a 1.6-liter engine producing 120 hp and an automatic gearbox. In practice, this means the car drives fine, but... slowly! For the first few kilometers, I even suspected some kind of malfunction. But no, everything is fine. There are several reasons. First, the engine is very environmentally friendly, meeting Euro-4 standards. The price for this is "chokedness" across the entire rev range. Second, the "automatic" seems to prefer measured driving even in sport mode. Well, and third, due to the folding roof, the 207 CC has noticeably gained weight compared to the regular three-door, which also did not have the best effect on dynamics. So behind the wheel of this car, you'll have to forget about sharp maneuvers and think everything through carefully before overtaking.
From the rear, the car looks wonderful, but only with the roof down. However, if you raise it, the 207 CC will set a record for trunk volume among the cars in this test.
Although, is it even needed? It's better not to rush, drive with the top down, enjoy the excellent JBL audio system, let the wind gently play with your hair, and passersby — admire. Although no, there's something wrong here too! Passersby, of course, look, but the wind... it tousles the hair so weakly that you forget you're driving a cabriolet. And also this windshield frame, ending somewhere above your head. Looked up — and remembered that it's still a cabriolet. And you could even forget. Yes, the "cabriolet feeling" of the Peugeot is a bit lacking, but you can safely drive on the highway in it (if only the engine were more powerful) and your hair won't get messed up.
Behind the wheel of this car, you'll be popular always and everywhere. And in the passenger seat too. Among pedestrians, among drivers. And even among car wash workers. I've never seen these guys wash a car with such tenderness. While polishing the 207 CC, the washers got so carried away that after half an hour I had to hurry them up. Along the way, by the way, an unpleasant feature was discovered. A strong stream of water can "penetrate" the rubber seals, and a few drops got into the cabin. Unpleasant? Yes, a trifle. It can't spoil the impression of the car.
Stylish, high-quality, and very cozy interior. But the rear seats are a fiction.
That's the whole Peugeot: frivolous, not without flaws, but incredibly talented and cheerful. And the best way to enjoy it (especially in this trim) is a leisurely drive through the evening city. And believe me, few cars can compare with it in this. For fast driving, there's a version with a 150-horsepower engine and a "manual." Although, it seems to me, it's better to look in another direction then. For example…
Volkswagen Eos — Vitaliy Kabyshev. They say that northern Germans know nothing of romance. They want Ordnung and quality, and everything else... Why? But they do create such illogical cars as convertibles.
True, they do it their own way, in German. Just the roof of the Eos is worth it! It has more parts than some store of "a thousand little things." It not only neatly and compactly folds into the trunk in the same 25 seconds as the Peugeot, but also features a full-fledged sliding sunroof! Say what you will, but for such a roof we would have given its creators some kind of award. However, even without us, this prize is already included in the price of the Eos.
The engine also deserves an award. The 200-horsepower 2.0 TFSI with stratified direct injection is magnificent! It pulls from the very bottom, with a pleasant light surge, and doesn't consume fuel too eagerly. And to give the driver more driving pleasure, the Germans equipped the test car not with an automatic (DSG is offered as an option) but with a manual. Want driving pleasure? Jawohl, exactly!
However, the Eos, even with the same gearbox and engine, is not a Golf GTI. Although it handles quite well for a convertible. But still, the insufficiently rigid open body makes itself known. The car's behavior no longer has that composure, responsiveness, and clarity for which I love the "hot" Golf so much. Stop, but then we could start comparing it to supercars. And for a four-seat convertible, the Eos drives just wonderfully! And it also has rear seats. Full-fledged ones.
And, of course, the meticulous Germans couldn't help but perfect the aerodynamics. The wind in the cabin doesn't bother even at high speed, and if necessary, you can activate the wind deflector. At the same time, that very convertible feeling is preserved. And, in general, everything is wonderful, but...
No, I won't say it's boring — that would be blatant lying. A convertible with a 200-horsepower engine and acceleration to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds cannot be boring by definition. But why can't its exterior be as divine as its technical "filling"? Why doesn't "young Eos with purple fingers" rise? Yes, she is very good. Not a single extra detail — everything is in its place, everything looks very harmonious and proportional. And the Eos, by the way, looks equally good with the roof both up and down. But not a goddess, no. And I admire the brilliant technical solutions and the thoughtfulness of every detail more than the car itself.
The creators managed to liven up the Golf interior with air vents and more interesting door trim. Otherwise, it's the same exemplary comfortable cabin.
And still, it's a wonderful car. In such a car, you want to just take off and go somewhere far away. For example, to the south. To the Côte d'Azur. The Black Sea will also do — the Eos is perfect for long trips. Thoughtful aerodynamics, four seats, a huge trunk, and also a powerful and economical TFSI engine. For this same reason, the Eos is better than all the others in our test as a daily driver. Of course — you haven't forgotten that this is a German car, have you? So it's a very correct and reasonable choice, as reasonable as buying a convertible can be for us at all. But there are also completely different little cars...
Mazda MX-5 — Vlad Klepach. In short — I want it! For myself. When we returned the car after the test, we came up with a brilliant plan. We'll keep it! It's insured. We'll say it was stolen. Great idea, right? But after exchanging glances, the guys and I realized we'd tear each other apart over this car. So instead, we decided to rob a bank (at least a data one) or win a million in the lottery (at least rubles).
When you get into the MX-5, the feeling is rather strange — as if you opened the car door and accidentally sat not in it, but on the asphalt. The seating position is very low, and this, as they like to say, immediately sets a fighting mood. Excellent seats, a small steering wheel, a delightfully short-throw and precise gear lever.
Although the interior is quite plain. But I don't care, I'll be driving, not sitting and looking at it! The main thing is that even tall people are quite comfortable there, the "music" plays as it should, and that's probably enough.
The Mazda is the record holder for roof-folding speed among convertibles with a hard metal top. The trunk, however, is small — only 150 liters, but for two people it's quite enough.
But in the MX-5, there's almost no wind at speed. Which is very handy, because there will definitely be speed. It's impossible to drive this car slowly. Even when you come home from work late in the evening tired, instead of collapsing with a beer in front of the TV, you'll go for a drive. That's already happened to me.
The most fun from the MX-5 is on winding roads. But on the highway at high speeds, the car doesn't behave in the best way.
"Why?" you might ask. 215 km/h top speed and 8.2 seconds to 100 km/h — not impressive figures. The same Eos will outrun it. And I'm not interested in those numbers at all. The dynamics of a 1170-kilogram car with a 160-hp engine are more than enough. After all, it's not about speed, but about sensations.
Frankly, the cabin is a bit simple. But everything is very convenient. The only serious ergonomic complaint is the low-mounted steering wheel. But the car's aerodynamics are well thought out — even at high speed, drafts don't wander around the cabin.
The engine instantly responds to the gas pedal, revs easily, and has a damn pleasant surge at the top end. And what a responsive chassis! The Mazda dives into every next corner with undisguised enthusiasm — an indescribable thrill!
What if you turn off the stability control? At low speeds, the rear wheels will tend to go somewhere to the left (or even to the right, depending on the turn) with careless throttle application. And although there's a limited-slip differential here, the MX-5 doesn't hold long drifts so willingly — it's a bit "soft." But short ones are taken brilliantly. If you find a common language with the car, a sea of joy is guaranteed.
This car is the closest in our test to a sports car, and it has solid reasons for that. You feel the MX-5 intuitively. The steering wheel, pedals, gear lever — everything is simply overflowing with information. And, believe it or not, in terms of driving pleasure, the MX-5 puts the emphatically sporty and powerful Audi TT Roadster on both shoulder blades. Even despite the fact that the TT has a menacing engine sound, while the MX-5's engineers made it... whatever it turned out to be. And let the TT show its stiffness and sharpness from the first meters, while the MX-5 is not so aggressive. To be honest, the Mazda has enough flaws, but there's no falseness, nothing with the prefix "pseudo." It's alive, and that's the main thing.
The folding roof of the Mazda MX-5, although metal, is the complete opposite of the insanely sophisticated mechanics of the Eos. Everything here is as simple as can be. But it also folds faster — in just 12 seconds. True, before that you have to manually release the latch, but that's a matter of at most another second or two.
In terms of driving pleasure, the Mazda MX-5 even surpasses the Audi TT. It's simpler and slower, but more fun to drive.
However, you shouldn't consider the MX-5 as the only car in the household (although such a thought crossed my mind). It's not just about the two seats and modest trunk, and not even the tiny ground clearance. Like any bright model, it's for a special mood. Going for a joyride for pleasure is great, but for other tasks I wouldn't recommend it. Driving the MX-5 for groceries, to a club, to the dacha, or on vacation is like keeping a monkey in a one-room apartment. But how it drives... What could be more fun? And we have an answer to that question — the Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a complete joke, and its appearance is only a small part of it. Although there's plenty of funny stuff here too. Retro design is a matter of taste, and the look of the PT Cruiser without a roof is a dish for gourmets with refined taste. A massive arch behind the front seats and the completely crazy mechanism for folding the trunk lid add special charm.
The interior greets you with a feeling that you're not in a car at all. You can imagine yourself as a yacht captain or a truck driver whose top was cut off. Or that you're locked in an old refrigerator, or invited to star in a 60s sci-fi film. Anything, but not a passenger car. No! The high, very specific seating position, almost flat seats (from which you're tempted to slide off in corners), and the monumental dashboard stretching as a solid wall — that's something else. But it's precisely in this unusualness that the main thrill of the car lies.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser's appearance can't help but bring a smile. And few can resist turning to look at it.
Even folding the roof turns into a whole ritual. First, like in a Mazda, you need to release the latch. But here it's stiff and somewhat vague — you'll open it on the first try, but closing it... you'll try about five times. Then you press the button — and the top retracts, folding into an accordion at the back, like on cars from the early last century (retro, after all!). After that, it's advisable to cover it all with the tarp that lies in the trunk. It attaches with a bunch of buttons. "Sir, you forgot to fasten one button!" "Oh, thank you, madam!"
Formally, in terms of roof retraction speed, the Chrysler is the absolute champion: the folding procedure itself takes only 10 seconds. But first you have to manually release the latch, and then cover it with a protective tarp.
It's better to do this procedure together. And even better — in threes or fours. After all, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio, in our opinion, is a car for company. Big and noisy. Let two sit in front: one turns the wheel, the second "navigates," and in the back seats, holding onto that very roll bar, the rest of the party members sit. And it'll be fun, we guarantee!
There's nothing to say about the four-speed automatic and the two-liter-plus engine that produces a staggering 143 horsepower. The engine is just an engine, the gearbox is just a gearbox. They work and work, without straining. The car goes, brakes, and turns.
The style is strictly maintained, but you need to get used to the ergonomics, and you're afraid of sliding off the slippery leather seats in corners. A curious detail — while in all cars with automatics, the button on the gearshift lever is positioned so that it can't be pressed accidentally, here everything is exactly the opposite.
But the refined, languid reactions of the PT to the steering wheel, the fantastically crafted leatherette on the seats, and the trim plastic — all speak to the exclusivity of the PT Cruiser. After all, we're two hundred percent sure that among all the cars in this test, the PT Cruiser will be the rarest on the streets of our vast homeland. And it's clear why — if you try to evaluate it seriously, nothing good will come of it. And there's no need to measure its driving qualities (they're nonexistent) or practicality. It's not for that. You just need to drive it and enjoy it. Although, to be honest, only true originals will be able to do that.
Nowadays, they hardly make bad cars, let alone bad convertibles. Each of our five is good in its own way. The Audi — with its wild yet very docile nature, and of course, prestige. The Peugeot — with its excellent amount of "glamour" for moderate money. The Eos amazes with its balance and thoughtfulness of every little detail. The Mazda MX-5 intoxicates with pure, undiluted drive. And the Chrysler PT Cruiser is a car for very fun and original people. After all, it's not the dull crowd that drives convertibles.
Technical specifications
Legend: + included in base trim; - not available; o option installed on the test vehicle.
Cars for the test provided by
Audi of Russia,
ZAO "DaimlerChrysler Automobiles RUS",
official representative of Mazda Motor Rus,
OOO "Peugeot Rus Auto",
official representative of Volkswagen Group Rus.
| Specifications | Audi TT Roadster | Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio | Mazda MX-5 | Peugeot 207 CC | Volkswagen Eos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body | ||||||
| Number of doors/seats | 2/2 | 2/5 | 2/2 | 2/4 | 2/4 | |
| Length, mm | 4178 | 4288 | 3995 | 4037 | 4407 | |
| Width, mm | 1842 | 1704 | 1720 | 1750 | 1791 | |
| Height, mm | 1352 | 1539 | 1255 | 1397 | 1443 | |
| Curb weight, kg | 1490 | 1680 | 1170 | 1352 | 1464 | |
| Gross weight, kg | 1810 | 1925 | 1365 | 1720 | 2000 | |
| Trunk volume, l | 250 | 249–474 | 150 | 187–449 | 205–380 | |
| Engine | ||||||
| Type | Petrol, with multipoint direct injection | Petrol, with multipoint injection | Petrol, with multipoint direct injection | Petrol, with multipoint injection | Petrol, with direct injection and turbocharging | |
| Location | Front, transverse | Front, transverse | Front, longitudinal | Front, transverse | Front, transverse | |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 6, V-shaped | 4, in-line | 4, in-line | 4, in-line | 4, in-line | |
| Number of valves | 24 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | |
| Displacement, cm3 | 3189 | 2429 | 1999 | 1598 | 1984 | |
| Max power, hp/rpm | 250/6300 | 143/5200 | 160/6700 | 120/6000 | 200/5100 | |
| Max torque, Nm/rpm | 320/2500–3000 | 224/4000 | 188/5000 | 160/4250 | 280/1800–5000 | |
| Transmission | ||||||
| Gearbox | Robotic, six-speed | Automatic, four-speed | Manual, six-speed | Automatic, four-speed | Manual, six-speed | |
| Drive | All-wheel | Front-wheel | Rear-wheel | Front-wheel | Front-wheel | |
| Chassis | ||||||
| Front suspension | Independent, McPherson | Independent, McPherson | Independent, double wishbone | Independent, McPherson | Independent, McPherson | |
| Rear suspension | Independent, multi-link | Semi-independent | Independent, multi-link | Semi-independent | Independent, multi-link | |
| Front brakes | Disc, ventilated | |||||
| Rear brakes | Disc, ventilated | Drum | Disc | Disc | Disc | |
| Tires | 245/35 R19 | 205/55 R16 | 205/45 R17 | 195/55 R16 | 215/45 R17 | |
| Ground clearance, mm | 120 | 140 | 136 | 130 | 145 | |
| Performance characteristics | ||||||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 250 | 171 | 215 | 195 | 232 | |
| Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, s | 5.9 | 10.3 | 8.2 | 12.6 | 7.8 | |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | ||||||
| Urban cycle | 13 | 14.5 | 11.2 | 10 | 11.2 | |
| Extra-urban cycle | 7.4 | 8.3 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 6.5 | |
| Combined cycle | 9.5 | 10.6 | 8.2 | 7.2 | 8.2 | |
| Emission standard | Euro-4 | |||||
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 60 | 56.8 | 50 | 50 | 55 | |
| Fuel | AI-95–98 | AI-92 | AI-95 | AI-95 | AI-98 | |
| Base price, rubles | 1884975 | 962500 | 1037000 | 750000 | 1014100 | |
Legend: + included in base trim; - not available; o option installed on the test vehicle.
Cars for the test provided by
Audi of Russia,
ZAO "DaimlerChrysler Automobiles RUS",
official representative of Mazda Motor Rus,
OOO "Peugeot Rus Auto",
official representative of Volkswagen Group Rus.
Behind the scenes 
Learning that the Eos is named after the Greek goddess of the dawn, our photographers immediately realized: we'd have to get up before dark. The shoot was scheduled for four in the morning, but that turned out to be just the beginning — the entire photo session took us two days.
Before the test, the editorial office was abuzz with debate: how can you compare such different cars? But convertibles are a special case; you can't pigeonhole them like sedans or station wagons. After the test, we were finally convinced of this.
Practice has shown: there's no point in taking an Audi TT if you don't care about acceleration to 100 km/h, prestige, and build quality — a Mazda MX-5 will give you no less pleasure. But for having fun with friends, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is the best, the Peugeot 207 CC has the least wind blow, and the Eos can do almost everything. Each of these cars is good in its own way — and that, perhaps, is the main conclusion.
Before the test, the editorial office was abuzz with debate: how can you compare such different cars? But convertibles are a special case; you can't pigeonhole them like sedans or station wagons. After the test, we were finally convinced of this.
Practice has shown: there's no point in taking an Audi TT if you don't care about acceleration to 100 km/h, prestige, and build quality — a Mazda MX-5 will give you no less pleasure. But for having fun with friends, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is the best, the Peugeot 207 CC has the least wind blow, and the Eos can do almost everything. Each of these cars is good in its own way — and that, perhaps, is the main conclusion.