5 Minutes
A fresh twist on Audi’s shelved concept
Audi fans are still digesting the official RS 5 sedan and Avant for 2026/2027, but a different kind of buzz is building around the Audi Concept C — or rather, a possible rebirth of it under a China-focused brand. Digital artist Theottle has reworked the Concept C in CGI and proposed it as the AUDI C Concept, a sporty two-door tailored for the AUDI marque co-owned by Audi and SAIC Motor.
The idea resonates because the original Concept C has been wrapped in uncertainty. Developed alongside Porsche and reportedly sharing foundations with the next-generation 718 project, the performance EV’s future has been questioned as Porsche and Audi reassess electrification and internal-combustion strategies. Add Audi’s recent model cuts (the S6 among them) and rumors about shifting priorities, and it’s easy to see why enthusiasts are speculating about alternatives.
Why rebrand the Concept C for China?
China is the largest car market in the world and has its own dynamics: strong appetite for premium electric vehicles, local partnerships, and sub-brands that can be positioned differently from their European siblings. AUDI — Audi’s joint-venture brand with SAIC — already offers the E5 Sportback and is readying the E7X crossover with BEV and EREV technology. A compact coupe based on the Concept C could serve as a halo model for AUDI, bringing excitement and differentiation without the high development costs of a full global RS halo car.
Key selling points in the CGI proposal:
- A sleeker, two-door coupe body with design cues borrowed from the E5 Sportback.
- A rich crimson-and-black color scheme that emphasizes sportiness and exclusivity.
- A potential drive strategy using the E7X’s BEV or EREV powertrains to keep costs and complexity manageable.
Performance and market positioning
This reimagined AUDI C wouldn’t be pitched against Audi Sport’s heavyweight entries like the plug-in hybrid RS model that churns out roughly 630 horsepower and even outweighs a V8 RS 6 Avant. Instead, it would be positioned as an attainable halo — a stylish, sporty coupe for buyers who want flair and brand cachet rather than full-blown RS performance.
Market comparisons to consider:
- Audi Sport RS models (RS 5, RS 6) remain high-performance benchmarks and target different customers.
- BMW M3/M3 Touring and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance are part of the traditional competitive set for performance sedans; an AUDI-branded coupe would more likely occupy a niche below them in price and purpose.
What Theottle’s CGI tells us
Theottle’s behind-the-scenes video shows a methodical transformation: grafting E5 design elements onto a coupe silhouette, cleaning up proportions, and choosing finishes that suggest a premium yet accessible product. It’s a creative exercise, yes, but also a practical proposal — one that highlights how automakers can reuse existing powertrain and platform investments to deliver a halo model faster and cheaper.
Quote highlight:
- "If EVs aren’t equally viable everywhere, rebranding and localizing could be a smart way to keep a sporty offering alive," the CGI creator suggests in the video narrative.
Bottom line
Whether Audi or SAIC will adopt this concept remains speculative. Executives have reportedly told staff a sports car is still on the roadmap and could arrive as soon as 2027, but until formal product plans are announced, the AUDI C Concept remains an intriguing what-if. For now, Theottle’s renderings give a credible preview of how a compact sports coupe could become a Chinese-market hero: visually distinct, technically sensible, and positioned to complement existing AUDI models without cannibalizing Audi Sport’s high-performance lineup.
Highlights:
- A potential low-cost halo model using existing BEV/EREV tech.
- A strategic play for China-focused AUDI brand growth.
- A creative CGI proposal that keeps the Concept C conversation alive among enthusiasts and industry watchers.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
turbo_mk
Whoa that crimson coupe looks tasty! If they actually sell a fun affordable halo in China, I'm hyped. Hope it aint just smoke though
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