Audi Introduces Mildly Updated 2011 TT

Its no secret that those of us at CarThrottle are big Audi fans. The two-doors (of course) are our favorites.

Other than the R8 for its budget supercar qualities, the A5 and TT would have to be our two favorites, and they have the advantage of being more attainable.

Last year, the Audi A5 got the brand's 2.0-liter TSFI four-cylinder instead of the 3.2L six. That dropped the price by $4,700, to $36,000. The TT is getting that same engine for 2011, making 211 horsepower.

That is an increase of 11 horsepower from the 2010 model, but the big news is the increase in torque - by some 51 pound feet, to 258.

From there on out, the changes get a lot smaller - per usual for a mild freshening. Details like colors have been tweaked, with new exterior colors being Scuba Blue, Ooolong Gray, Volcano Gray and Dakota Gray.

There are larger inlets up front, the grille has a shinier black finish (a particular theme in this car) and the headlights have been modernized with Audi's LED daytime running lamps as standard.

Out back there is a flat black (why not shiny black?!) rear diffuser and new exhaust outlets. Audi also says the taillights have been tweaked a bit.

The interior carries over the with the small changes as well, with new colors that include nougat brown, titanium gray and garnet red. The leather seats are treated to reduce heating by as much as 68° F (20 degrees Celsius) when the car is parked in the direct sunlight. Audi says that designers have "added additional gloss" to the interior.

There are new aluminum-look pieces on the steering wheel, the center console and in the door liner with high-gloss black accent rings, frames and strips. In addition, the aluminum strip above the glove box door is now brushed gray. We know, the stuff dreams are made of right?

Audi warns that the release includes European information as well, but this are definitely the changes the Audi TT will be seeing here in the United States.