Audi, Hyundai, Mazda sports cars make driving fun

In the Roman Catholic religion I belong to, Saint Frances of Rome is the patron saint of automobile drivers.

That sounds pretty funny because St. Frances died in 1440, about 450 years before there was any such thing as an automobile. But she was given the title in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, and his reason for doing it is quite beautiful. According to legend, an angel lit the road in front of Frances when she traveled, keeping her safe from hazards.

I like thinking that it was St. Frances of Rome looking out for my best interests when I got three sports cars nearly back to back earlier this fall. Each one has attention-grabbing, crowd-pleasing design and attributes that turn driving into the pursuit of pleasure, not just a getting from here to there.

AUDI TT COUPE

Audi presents the third-generation TT for 2016, restyled to perfection in a way that doesn’t stray too far from its original irresistible look yet gives it a whole new personality. In addition to the coupe version I drove, the TT is available as a two-seater convertible, and there’s a more powerful coupe model called the TTS.

The centerpiece of the new cabin is a completely digital instrument cluster. Audi calls it a “virtual cockpit” relaying everything from driving data to Google Earth satellite maps. The whole infotainment system and all the gauges appear on a dash screen directly in front of the driver. Front-seat passengers might feel slighted, but they’re getting to ride in a TT, so complaints will most likely be muffled.

A conventional dash console isn’t necessary with the digital climate system, so temperature adjustment, fan speed and vent selection are integrated directly into the center of three circular vents, which are positioned in the middle of the dash.

The car is forcefully propelled by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 220-horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s in a triumvirate with a six-speed automatic transmission (S tronic) and a highly sophisticated new version of Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive. Fuel economy ratings are 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Base price of the test car is $43,825 including destination charge, and the price as driven is $50,600.

The TT’s special appeal is German engineering with Audi’s particular panache, heightened by the new virtual cockpit concept.

HYUNDAI VELOSTER R-SPEC

The Hyundai Veloster R-Spec hatchback is entitled to sports-car status for its compact size, light weight, turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission with B&M Racing sport shifter.

The 1.6-liter engine produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, plenty enough for street-legal theatrics while also being economical about fuel consumption: 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Fluid shifting is a breeze with the manual gearbox.

Veloster has seating for four inside a surprisingly quiet and roomy interior. Its carefully concealed passenger-side third door maintains the appearance of a two-door while providing very helpful easy access to the rear seats. The cargo area in back, another easy-access situation via the hatch, is smallish but not to the point of uselessness, and keeps valuables well hidden from outside viewers.

For 2016, Veloster’s audio and navigation systems have been enhanced by additional capabilities and functional improvements.

Standard features on the R-Spec model include 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a ground-effects bodykit and bodycolor rear spoiler, red seat belts, R-Spec badging and floormats, rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a premium 450-watt, eight-speaker audio system with CD player, MP3 playback, and Sirius XM satellite radio.

Base pricing for the 2016 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec starts at $22,425 including destination charge. As-driven price of the tester is $22,570.

The Veloster R-Spec’s special appeal is fun with functionality and sports-car pride of ownership at an impressively reasonable price.

MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

A new fourth-generation version of the two-seater Mazda MX-5 Miata is here for 2016. Introduced at a time when convertibles were almost extinct in the U.S. market, Miata is now celebrating its 25th anniversary as the roadster known for delivering the most fun per dollar.

The newest version, easily assessed as the best ever, is lighter, faster, smaller and spryer than the outgoing model. Power is provided by a 155-horsepower four-cylinder engine generating 148 lb-ft of torque and 30 mpg average fuel economy (27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway).

My tester was the Club version with a soft convertible top, six-speed manual transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, a front air dam and a rear lip spoiler. Bluetooth and a nine-speaker Bose audio system with CD player, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio are included as standard equipment.

The MX-5 Miata’s legendary driving characteristics are presupposed in its reputation for most fun per dollar. Not presupposed was the warm sunny weather during the week I had the car. It was top-down more often than not, proliferating enjoyment behind the wheel.

Operation of the cloth top is a manual, not automatic, procedure that can be performed without leaving the driver’s seat.

The MX-5 tester’s base price with destination charge is $29,420 and the price as driven is $33,120.

Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a board member of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.

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