Minimal, aggressive, fast. Audi’s adventurous Concept C, seen in these images, is a mouthwatering taster of the firm’s future flagship two-seater sports car. With stylistic roots in the original TT and boasting a low seating position combined with near perfect weight distribution, this is a clear statement of intent from Audi: sports cars remain very much part of the Audi plan.
Audi enters Formula One next year so a no-holds-barred sporting model in the showrooms is on one level to be expected. Less expected is the show-stopping, head-turning style of the Concept C. Wheel arches and that minimalist style might recall the TT, but there is more than a touch of Auto Union - Audi’s predecessor - pre-war racers in the uncompromising rear quarter treatment. Indeed, the Concept’s name is derived from the Type C race-winners of the 1930s.
Looked at from the front, design is very of-the-moment aggressive. Narrow LED headlamps, four to each side, flank the famous four rings over a blanked out black grille. Deep cooling vents, presumably for the front brakes, add function, over a lip spoiler. They’ll certainly know that you’re on the way with this distinctive face. To the rear, three bold louvres break up the solid metal. Four rear LEDs to each side match those at the front, above a prominent and purposeful diffuser. Fast? It promises to be.
Audi Concept C: All-electric excellence
What there isn’t, to front or rear, is any kind of fossil-fuelled engine. Batteries, always the weight bugbear for an electric car, are mounted behind the seats, allowing for lower driving position than a so-called “skateboard” chassis which places batteries under the driver and passenger. Audi’s chief executive Gernot Döllner told journalists that this means "the centre of gravity is perfect, and the inertia of the car is really centred so it's really very agile”.
Conceived by new design chief Massimo Frascella and manufactured by an in-house team of 150 people, the C is fully drivable and has a fully detailed interior. Roof is electrically retractable, a first on any Audi. Naturally, no-one’s been allowed to test the top speed of a one-off concept, but Audi have said it’s rear-wheel drive. Given Audi’s pioneering Quattro system, a four-wheel drive version on the production version is surely on the cards?
Ah, production. The Concept C might be a one-off, but Audi are confirming it previews a two-seater sports car to be revealed in 2027. Will it be based on the same platform as forthcoming Porsche Boxster or Cayman two-seaters? Audi aren’t saying.
No prices yet on what you’ll need to pay to put this mouth-watering new Audi in your garage. But if you can’t wait may we suggest a look at the classifieds for other Audis which grew out of motor show concepts? A decent example of the original TT should cost you around £5,000, while the A2, celebrating its 25th birthday this year, is even more affordable at around £3,000. Vorsprung durch technik? Don’t mind if we do.
Next up: Five electric car brands worth knowing.
