AUDI is recalling all 100 of its sleek new TT Quattro sports cars sold in the Republic amid concerns that a design fault has contributed to hundreds of accidents involving the model.
The German manufacturer is responding to reports that drivers have lost control of the vehicle at high speeds. The rear of the vehicle lifts if the driver brakes or takes his/her foot off the throttle while going fast. Over 200 accidents involving the car have been reported in Germany alone.
Motor Distributors Ltd, which handles Audi in Ireland, is recalling the £36,000 cars to fit stabilisers to the suspension, and a rear spoiler to improve aerodynamic performance.
A spokesman said the company had not received any reports of incidents involving the model in Ireland, since its introduction during the summer. "There have been no crashes, no incidents and no complaints," he said. "These problems only arise when the car is driven at high speeds, close to the limits of stability.
"Many of these incidents have occurred on the German autobahns where there are no speed limits. Drivers got themselves into situations that could not, or certainly should not, arise in this country because of our strict speed limits."
It would be very unlikely that Irish drivers would reach the speeds at which the problems occurred, he added.
The cars will have to be returned to the dealers twice. The parts for the suspensions will be available in the coming weeks, while the new spoiler is not expected until next year.
Two versions of the TT are available in Ireland, both of them with 1.8 litre-engines. The first has a 180 b.h.p. (brake horse power) engine and a top speed of 137 miles per hour. The second has a 225 b.h.p. engine and a maximum speed of 146 miles per hour.