5 Minutes
Audi has unveiled the Concept C, a compact two-seat electric roadster that channels the spirit of the original TT while introducing a bold new design language for the brand. Revealed in Milan and set for public display in Munich, the Concept C previews a production model due in 2027 that will appear largely unchanged from the show car and will share its mid-mounted battery layout and PPE underpinnings with Porsche’s forthcoming 718 Boxster/Cayman twins.
Design and Heritage
Clarity, simplicity and a nod to the past
The Concept C, whose name references both a focus on 'clarity' and the 1936 Auto Union Type C racer, marks a deliberate return to minimalist, monolithic styling under new head of design Massimo Frascella. Frascella’s brief is straightforward: strip away unnecessary ornamentation and make Audi instantly recognisable through proportion, surface quality and a smaller set of unmistakable design cues. The Concept C’s glasshouse that extends toward the rear, pronounced shoulder line and upright, heritage-inspired grille are all deliberate callbacks to early Audis and the original TT, repurposed with a contemporary, electric sensibility.
New light signatures and grille
Audi’s four-ring motif is echoed in the LED lighting signatures and a taller, more vertical grille that houses ADAS cameras and sensors. Audi describes this as a progressive interpretation of its legacy that will be rolled out across future models to strengthen brand identity at night and on the move.
Platform and technical layout
PPE platform and mid-mounted battery
The Concept C uses a centrally mounted battery pack rather than the conventional underfloor arrangement. This mid-mounted battery lowers the centre of gravity, improves weight distribution and permits seating closer to the road—attributes that help an EV feel more like a traditional internal-combustion sports car. The concept shown is rear-driven with a single motor, while the production car will offer a twin-motor option for higher performance. The architecture is a specially adapted version of the Porsche-Audi PPE platform, which will be shared with Porsche’s 718 Boxster and Cayman electric models.
Performance and driving experience
Focused on driver engagement
Audi positions the production Concept C as an electric roadster designed for enthusiastic driving on country roads rather than a track-focused supercar. To bridge the sensory gap between ICE and EV, Audi is exploring optional synthesised engine sounds and virtual gear shifts. Management argues that simulated gearbox feedback can improve both driving enjoyment and lap performance for customers trained on traditional manual or sequential gearboxes.
Interior and technology
Minimalist cockpit with tactile controls
Inside, the Concept C emphasises a driver-focused layout with anodised aluminium physical controls engineered to deliver the signature 'Audi click'. A foldable 10.4-inch centre display keeps digital tech present but unobtrusive, while a conventional round steering wheel and a metal Audi badge reinforce authenticity and mechanical quality.
Market positioning and comparisons
Where it sits in the lineup
Audi makes clear the Concept C is not a direct TT successor in name or exact positioning. CEO Gernot Döllner describes it as occupying the space between the historic TT and the supercar R8—a compact, premium electric sports car aimed at a niche but strategically important segment. It will compete with the nascent electric roadster market and sit alongside Porsche’s electric 718 duo, with shared platform efficiencies helping keep development and production costs in check.
Timing, production and the wider strategy
Audi intends to bring the Concept C into production in 2027 with minimal changes. The car is part of a broader corporate realignment: a simplified model hierarchy, new design language across upcoming vehicles (including Q7, A2 E-tron, electric A4 and a future flagship), and a renewed focus on cost efficiency and core strengths. Audi also plans high-performance variants from Audi Sport and continues work on a next-gen R8 hybrid supercar.
Conclusion
The Audi Concept C is a clear statement of intent: a lightweight, minimalist electric roadster that uses heritage-inspired design and a mid-mounted battery layout to prioritise driver engagement. With production slated for 2027 and a Porsche Boxster twin confirmed on the same PPE architecture, this electric two-seater could redefine what a modern, driver-focused EV roadster can be.
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