Saar: Apart from a few cosmetic changes, the two-seater sports car has more kit as standard.

The refreshed Audi TT has finally broken cover. And the company waited to reveal it right on the 20^th anniversary of the TT marque. Yes. The first-gen Audi TT made its premiere in 1998. For the mid-life update of third-gen TT, Audi has focused more on what’s happening behind the scenes and less on modifying the way it looks.

At the front, the Audi TT facelift gets a new three-dimensional Singleframe radiator grille and a new bumper that houses larger side air inlets. Move to the rear and the two-seater sports car gets a mild design update right above the sporty exhaust outlets. Go for the optional S line exterior package and Audi will install a full-length front splitter, vertical air inlets, a radiator grille in titanium black and specific side sills with inserts, a wider diffuser at the rear and vertical air inlets below the taillamps with three horizontal fins each.

As standard, the Audi TT Coupé and Roadster come with 17-inch alloy wheels. If they are a bit small for you, pay Audi extra and you can get 18-, 19- or even 20-inches alloy wheels. For the exterior paint finishes, Audi has added three new colour options – cosmos blue, pulse orange and turbo blue (S line only).

On the powertrains front, the Audi TT facelift will be offered with just one 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in three tunes – 197PS/320Nm, 245PS/370Nm and 306PS/400Nm. The front-wheel-drive 40 TFSI will be offered with the first state of tune. The 45 TFSI, with or without the all-wheel-drive Quattro system, will have the second state of tune, while the Audi TTS, which also have Quattro drive, will have the most powerful engine-spec of them all. Transmission duties for the front will drive 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI can be assigned to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed S Tronic automatic unit. The rest of the range will be offered only with the latter of the two transmission options.

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As mentioned above, the Audi TT facelift has an enhanced list of standard features. The list includes Audi’s virtual cockpit, drive select dynamic handling system, automatic headlamps and wipers, heated ORVMs, a multifunction steering wheel, illuminated USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary, Audi will be releasing two special editions of the TT. The first one is called “Audi TT 20 Years” and its production will be limited to 999 units only. It brings several design cues from the Roadster concept that first broke cover in 1995. Things like arrow grey paint, Matrix OLED rear lights, 19-inch alloy wheels finished in glossy metal grey colour, stainless steel exhaust outlets and unique badging will be part of its kitty. The other special edition is the TT S line competition, which builds on the standard TTS to deliver a unique package. The interior is upgraded with contrasting coloured stitching and an additional screen in the Audi virtual cockpit.

The Audi TT facelift will reach dealers in Germany and other European markets in the fourth quarter of this year. Pre-orders, however, will open in September. The starting price for the TT Coupé and the Roadster derivatives are 35,000 euros and 37,500 euros. Audi India is expected to bring the refreshed TT on our shores too but since it will be coming as a direct import, it won’t be as affordable as it will be in Europe.