FACELIFT 2010 AUDI TT RANGE HERE IN OCTOBER

Has it been that long for one of our favourite cars? It would seem so. The Audi TT range is due for a facelift this year. Actually Europe already has this new car on the market, but Mzansi will only receive first stocks in October. Which gives us plenty good time to budget.

Audi didn’t just go to the cosmetics shop to pick up a make-up kit. Virtually every meaningful area has been worked on, including the engines. First though, a look at

the exterior changes. The new TT will spot a new, larger front bumper with xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights as standard.

Inside Audi has let loose more aluminium on the steering wheel and the centre console, as well as the mirror adjuster. The cars have Audi Magnetic Ride with a Sport button to unleash the little demon in you.

Feeding him more evil thoughts are the new engines installed in the front end. The bottom of the pack is now updated to match up to current Audis in the form of a baseline 2.0T with 155kW at 4300rpm and peak torque of 350Nm between 1600rpm and 4200rpm. No mention is being made of the TT S which has 195kW on tap from the same 2.0-litre turbo engine. But the top dog TT RS, only available in January 2011, remains unchanged in the power department. It still kicks out 250kW between 5400rpm and 6500rpm and maximum torque of 450Nm is available between 1600rpm and 5300rpm.

All models will be available with either a 6-speed manual or an S tronic gearbox. Even better is the fact that the new TT will still be sold in either tin top or soft cabriolet.