Audi Australia has confirmed it is planning a “special edition” of its iconic TT sports car – which could hit showrooms later this year – while the nameplate prepares to bid farewell at the end of the current model’s life cycle.

Although not confirmed by Audi headquarters in Germany, it is widely expected that the current Audi TT will be the last of its kind – amid declining sales in Europe and overseas – ending a 25-year history that started in 1998 with the original ” 8N” generation started TT.

The current third generation of the Audi TT (codenamed FV/8S) was launched in Europe in 2014 and is now nearing the end of its life cycle. Audi has not heard anything about a replacement – ​​with petrol or electric drive.

Audi Australia Product Manager Matthew Dale tells drive to “watch this space” when asked directly if an Australia-specific final edition is planned for the TT for Australia.

When it comes to fruition, the locally created special edition TT would join those like those only in the US Audi TT RS Heritage Editiona limited run of 50 cars celebrating the end of the model on the US market in 2021.

Likewise only for Europe Audi TT RS Iconic Edition (pictured in this story), which will be launched in October 2022, is limited to just 100 cars, of which only nine are right-hand drive variants.

The limited-edition TT RS model for Europe features a bespoke aerodynamics package that includes a redesigned front splitter, larger side skirts and a larger carbon fiber fixed rear wing.

Fitted with gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels, the Audi TT Iconic Edition also gets a cabin upgrade with black and gray interior trim, adorned with yellow contrast stitching and “Iconic Edition” embroidery on the front seatbacks.

Although the RS model’s 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine doesn’t get a boost in power and torque – it retains 294 kW and 480 Nm – the limited top speed has been raised from 250 km/h to 280 km/h. The Iconic Edition’s claimed 0-100 km/h time is rated at 3.7 seconds.

The nine right-hand drive special edition examples on the UK market start at £87,650 or AU$152,000. Currently, the regular Audi TT RS is $141,300 in Australia plus road costs.

Mr Dale would not refer to the details of the local TT special but said an announcement would be made soon.

“We think TT still has an appetite given its heritage,” said Mr. Dale drive.

“So yes, what we are working on at the moment is evaluating what we are doing as a lifecycle measure for this car for those enthusiasts who still follow TT in its current form. But until that time, which will be soon… we’ll be announcing something on the spot. [It’s] a local initiative we are working on.”

Audi Australia has sold just over 2000 examples of the current generation TT since its launch in early 2015. The best sales were recorded in the first year of sales when 651 TTs found new homes locally. In 2022 Audi Australia sold 41 TT.