The Audi Concept C represents a radical shift for the venerable German brand, serving not only as a design study but also as a direct preview of a new Audi sports car slated for production in 2027. This vehicle, hinted as a spiritual successor to the Audi TT, embodies a fresh design philosophy spearheaded by new design boss Massimo Frascella’s team, signaling how all future Audis will look. The concept boldly deviates from current automotive trends, emphasizing unfussy design, tactile controls, and a minimalist aesthetic both inside and out.

Externally, the Concept C introduces a distinctive vertical ‘grille’ motif, a shrunken, yet prominent, feature inspired by the 1936 Auto Union Type C racer and the 2006 Audi A6. This element cleverly doubles as a hidden housing for the front-facing radar. Complementing this are quad-element headlights, a design choice insisted upon by Audi’s team due to the brand’s association with the number four, mirroring hints of Bugatti Chiron in its front fascia. The rear design is notably minimalist, eschewing the fake mesh and cosplay exhausts prevalent in many modern performance cars. Instead, it features quad-element LEDs and an absence of a traditional rear window, a decision reportedly made to ‘save weight,’ with three vents taking its place, also inspired by the Type C racer. The car’s profile suggests a mid-engined layout, further enhanced by revamped Nineties ‘Avus’ six-spoke wheels with aero faces and 3D machined spokes, and subtle nods to the R8 ‘sideblade’ in the rear haunch charging flaps. Despite its sporty appearance, the Concept C lacks obvious cooling vents and ducts, clearly pointing towards an electric vehicle (EV) future.

The interior of the Concept C offers a refreshing blend of futuristic and classic Audi sensibilities. It consciously shuns the trend of massive screens and touch-sensitive buttons, opting instead for a clean, unfussy layout with tangible controls. A timeless, circular steering wheel features anodized rotary controls designed as faux spokes, with additional dials flanking the horn button that provide a satisfying haptic ‘click’ feel. The center console is stripped down to the bare minimum of physical buttons. A 10.4-inch central infotainment touchscreen is discreetly integrated, retracting into the dashboard when not in use. The instrument screen is clearly rendered, maintaining a functional yet elegant display. The two-seat cabin features wool upholstery, chosen for its innovative ability to facilitate a bum-cooling ventilation system that breathes through the fabric, thus eliminating the need for traditional speaker grilles in the doors as sound seamlessly permeates the weave. Even the air vents feature four slats, and there are four physical buttons on the center console, subtly reinforcing Audi’s ‘four’ theme.

While Audi has not disclosed specific details regarding the Concept C’s powertrain, it strongly hints at an electric future. It is widely rumored to share a platform with the much-anticipated electric Porsche Boxster and Cayman, which have faced delays and are now expected in late 2027. This suggests a ‘mid-battery’ layout, similar to its Porsche cousins. The Concept C’s close-to-production details, such as standard road tires, functional door mirrors, proper windscreen wipers, and a numberplate cut-out, strongly indicate that it is more than just a conceptual exercise and is indeed preparing for a launch around 2027. This move to an electric sports car is seen as a more natural fit for Audi, a brand historically celebrated more for its design than outright driving dynamics, and strategically positions it to be a design leader once more.

Ultimately, the Audi Concept C is poised to be a significant trendsetter, aiming to re-establish Audi’s reputation as a design leader and a serious sports car manufacturer, much like the original TT and R8 did in their time. Its role as a flag-carrier for Audi’s new design themes, combined with the bold decision to enter the electric sports car market, holds the potential to captivate a new generation of enthusiasts and solidify Audi’s innovative direction for the future.