Audi unveiled a two-seat electric sports car that combines design elements of the Auto Union and TT race cars. The new design language for Audi features a glass roof that folds back to reveal an open cabin, reminiscent of a targa, and a vertical, rectangular grille. These pictures of the Audi Concept C roadster are very close to what the final product will look like. It’s not a design from the past, but it resembles an aggressive, small Grand Prix car from the late 1930s or the more modern and much-missed Audi TT. It’s fully electric and modern, featuring a redesigned Audi grille along with an interior that merges clean geometric lines with premium materials and a touch-friendly interface. Audi says that the Concept C focuses on details and factors that will affect the way the company designs cars in the future. Audi is having a great time right now. They have new ideas, are discontinuing old models like the A6 and Q3, and claim they will introduce more new models in 2026, featuring electric, hybrid, and gasoline engines. Since Audi will be joining Formula One in 2026, this is a great year to show off high-performance cars. Audi wants to get back to being known for making exciting, attention-getting cars. They have a new design leader, Massimo Frascella, who started as chief creative officer in the summer of 2024. To achieve this, Audi is moving away from the less defined hexagonal grilles of its current lineup and adopting a sharper rectangular design, which can be scaled up or down depending on the vehicle’s size and serves to frame the brand’s iconic interlocking rings. Audi took off the Concept C’s silks to show off the new grille, which showed a small two-seater that might be based on the same platform as the upcoming electric Porsche 718. The car spans 178 inches in length, 77.6 inches in width, and has a wheelbase of 101.1 inches. Despite these dimensions, it gives the impression of being larger. Our viewing took place in a studio setting without scales. It is longer and wider than the R8 and the first TT because of this. The Concept C features a satin-like titanium paint finish that gives it a metallic appearance, especially from the rear, where louvers have been installed in place of the traditional rear windows that disrupt the fastback roof. Because it is silver and has small headlights, the front of it looks like a Robocop helmet. Headlights carry that light mark to the edges while keeping the four-part theme, while running lights are shown by a dashed line split into four parts. Audi has announced that production cars will be available with a four-light option. The same design approach is reflected in the headlights. The Concept C is small, but it has a strong “shoulder line” above the back tires and a long back with sharply cut trunk and hood lines. Who could say no to such a strong shoulder? The warm shine of forged carbon fiber makes the rear diffuser and huge side spoiler stand out even more. Audi’s first folding hardtop folds into the back deck to make the inside feel like it’s outside. She is responsible for color and trim and serves as a designer. The two-tone wool twill used for the seats inside was chosen because it breathes well, is comfortable, and gives the leather-free space a unique feel. The strong vertical parts and body lines of the grille are used as inspiration for the door buttons and other controls. Besides the 21-inch wheels, the steering wheel is the roundest part of the car. Interestingly, Audi opted for a fully circular design with mechanical controls at the center, instead of the usual sporty flat-bottom shape. A crucial aspect of Concept C’s design is ensuring that controllers are satisfied with the response. The new trademarked “Audi click” is said to have a unique feel and sound that each switch and knob is claimed to provide. The outside is made of warm metal tones, and so are the switches and the trim. The Concept C incorporates a “hideaway screen” setup, keeping the 10.4-inch display out of sight when not in use. This keeps the phone’s connection and interface. A clear cover for the panel hides the storage space for items. All that is known is that the engine will be all-electric. Even though the idea is for rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is just an extra motor away, just like in most electric cars. Audi says that the final version will look a lot like the idea, with only small changes that can’t be seen from “50 meters away.” If it makes it to production, the price will be somewhere between the current Audi TT and the R8. This is a big spread, since the first one started at about $53,000 and the last one at about $161,000. It should be somewhere in the middle, close to six figures. The Concept C made its appearance today in Milan. Afterward, it will be showcased at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) in Munich, Germany.
