Audi CEO Gernot Döllner revealed to the German newspaper Bild that an electric sports car will be unveiled in early September, ahead of the Paris auto show. Reports describe the vehicle as “not a TT or an R8, but something in between,” with the company intending to position it as “an identity builder.” Döllner made it clear that this ideal car will be made, saying that it will be released two years from now. Audi is preparing to launch a new electric sports car this fall. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner shared this remark during an interview with the German publication Bild. In the interview, he was honest about the company’s recent problems and the need to refresh its product line. Döllner stated that the electric sports car will make its debut at this year’s Munich auto show in September. He has named the new model “TT Moment 2.0,” paying tribute to the original TT’s iconic role in defining Audi’s design language during the late 1990s. The debut in September is likely to be marketed as a concept car, with a design that leans more toward the whimsical than the practical. But Döllner was quick to say that “the car will be built” and that the showing would happen in two years, which made it sound like this wouldn’t just stay an idea. Döllner didn’t say anything else, but the new electric sports car is expected to set the standard for future Audis with its new design language, internal style, and technical features. Döllner used the TT to show how the new model will change Audi design, but it looks like it will have a slightly higher performance grade. In the interview, Döllner described it as “a highly emotional sports car—neither a TT nor an R8, but something that sits between the two.” We’ve heard of the idea of an electric audi sports car before. Speculation from the past suggests that the porsche 718 EV, an electric sports car set to replace the Boxster and Cayman, will serve as the basis for the next TT. The porsche was originally slated for release this year, but rumors suggest the 718 EV may be delayed. It wouldn’t be surprising if this new Audi sports car ends up sharing its platform and powertrain with the Porsche. The tuning and possibly the power output could be adjusted to differentiate it from the Porsche model. Audi has recently faced delays with its new software systems and self-driving programs, alongside a portfolio that hasn’t resonated with users. Döllner believes this new flagship model is crucial for getting the brand back on track. “We need to get back on track now,” he told the German newspaper. “I don’t want to beat around the bush.” In a little over a month, this new character, which Döllner called “an identity builder,” will be made public.
