2011 Audi TT, TTS Get Updated

• Competes with: BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Infiniti G37
• Looks like: Mild exterior changes hide a nice engine upgrade
• Drivetrain: 211-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder or 265-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder; all-wheel drive; dual-clutch automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: TT in early 2011, TTS in fall 2010

We’re big fans of the underachieving Audi TT. It’s a unique, small, luxury sport coupe and convertible. It’s nimble and light, and the cockpit is a marvel in sports car styling. Its main drawback was the engine choices, with the base turbo being a bit too slow and the 3.2-liter six-cylinder sporting more power but adding weight.

The 3.2 was dropped for 2010, and it doesn’t return for 2011. Instead, the base model’s engine gets some serious updating and now produces 211 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque, a major bump from the outgoing model’s 200 hp and 207 pounds-feet of torque. It’s mated to a dual-clutch transmission, which should boost mileage over the outgoing TT’s 21/29 mpg city/highway.
 
These changes should make the base TT noticeably faster. No zero-to-60 times have been determined, but the zero-to-62 mph figure for Europe clocked in at 5.6 seconds, so the zero-to-60 time should be shorter by a few clicks. The 2010 TT recorded a zero-to-60 time of 5.9 seconds.

A magnetic ride suspension will be offered as an option, which will allow for adjustable suspension settings.
 
The TTS’ engine remains unchanged at 265 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque. Both models only come with all-wheel drive. The TTS also returns mileage figures of 21/29 mpg.
 
The exterior changes are slight but bring the model up to date with the rest of the Audi lineup and streamline the previous generation’s bulbous bumpers.
 
No pricing was announced, but the outgoing TT starts at $37,800 for the coupe and $40,800 for the roadster. The 2010 TTS starts at $45,900 and $48,900 for coupe and roadster, respectively.
 
More photos are below.