It’s hard to believe that the current generation of the Audi TT Coupe and Roadster has been on sale since 2006, and during that time we’ve seen several different variants launched, here and overseas, including diesel and high-performance RS models.

Four years after the initial launch, the stylish Audi TT has undergone a mid-cycle refresh and is being presented for the first time at this month’s 2010 AMI Leipzig in Germany.

The new 2011 Audi TT range in the U.S. will continue with only two models, the base 2.0-liter TFSI quattro model and the high-performance TTS. Sadly, U.S. customers still miss out on the extreme 340 horsepower TT-RS.

Changes for the 2011 model year are minimal, though there are some major mechanical upgrades: a new 2.0-liter TFSI engine rated at 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, up 11 horsepower and 51 pound-feet from the previous year, ensures some serious performance, even in the lower spec models. The upgraded engine whips the Coupe to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, a three-tenths improvement on last year's car, and the Roadster is expected to see similar gains. Importantly, this means the base four-cylinder TT is now quicker to 60 mph than its six-cylinder rivals, the BMW Z4 sDrive30i and the Mercedes-Benz SLK300.

The 2011 Audi TTS remains unchanged in terms of output, with its 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque rating being delivered by the same 2.0-liter TFSI engine. The 0-60 mph sprint in the TTS Coupe takes just 4.9 seconds, with the Roadster close behind at 5.1.

Changes in equipment include new chrome dual tailpipes, a reprogrammed optional magnetic ride suspension control system, revised bumper and grille designs for both the TT and TTS, and new Nappa leather trim as an option. All TT models come standard with quattro all-wheel drive and the S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The new 2011 Audi TTS will go on sale this fall, while the TT will arrive in showrooms in the first quarter of next year.

[Audi]