The Audi Concept C previews an electric targa-style sports car arriving in production in 2027 and introduces the brand’s new design language. It combines a clean, sculptural look with realistic technical solutions, such as conventional mirrors, street tires, and 21” wheels.
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What is the Audi Concept C and why does it change the game?
It is a two-panel targa-style electric coupe with muscular proportions and a focus on pure form. Longer than recent supercars from the brand, the Concept C features bold shoulders, a continuous waistline from the front wheel arch to the rear, and signature lighting with four integrated rings.
Despite its futuristic appeal, it’s an “almost literal” show car of the production model: feasible bumpers, functional air intakes, windshield wipers, and plausible ergonomics. To gauge its performance potential among Audi’s electric lineup, it’s worth looking at what the brand already offers with the RS e-tron GT Performance.
What are the pillars of Audi’s “radically simple” design?
The new front end features a sleek, vertically oriented panel housing sensors and the four rings, flanked by minimalist horizontal headlights. The influence is clear: Auto Union Type C (1936), Avus, Rosemeyer, and the first TT, but reinterpreted with clean surfaces and no unnecessary edges.
Generous curves and the “Coca-Cola bottle” shape in the wheel arches, six-spoke wheels inspired by the classic design and finished in Titanium “technical elegance.” The fastback rear without glass features three vents paying homage to Auto Union, thin taillights with four elements, and a simple yet effective diffuser. The overall look is timeless.
How do the retractable targa roof and fastback work?
This is Audi’s first vehicle with a two-panel rigid retractable roof, maintaining a monolithic silhouette when closed and opening the cockpit as desired. The solution enhances rigidity and reduces high-speed turbulence without sacrificing the “clean” design.
The show car doesn’t reveal the full mechanism but indicates complete integration with the structural set. The absence of a rear glass and the fastback cover balance proportions and improve airflow to the diffuser, reinforcing clean downforce without flashy wings.
What platform, motors, and performance can we expect in 2027?
The concept uses a single rear motor; the production version will also have a dual-motor all-wheel-drive option. Its technical architecture is expected to share components with the upcoming electric Porsche 718, prioritizing a low center of gravity, immediate response, and centralized weight distribution.
Within the Audi ecosystem, it’s possible to expect power delivery and acceleration close to current electric sports cars, with advancements in battery technology and cooling systems. For context on the group’s architecture and system integration, see how the PPE platform already raises standards in the Audi Q6 e-tron.
Interior: What is the experience like, materials, and controls?
Minimalism without austerity. The 10.4” central display retracts into a slot in the dashboard, keeping the focus on driving. There are buttons and selectors made of anodized aluminum with the “Audi click,” a slim steering wheel with rotary controls, and a gear selector via stalk on the column—all designed for direct, precise interaction.
The finishes blend titanium and high-quality wool, with custom-designed pieces (door handles, instrument cluster trims) and driver-centric ergonomics. For those comparing with existing models on the road, the cockpit’s focused layout is well represented in products like the e‑tron GT quattro.
Who does it compete against, and where is it positioned in the market?
The Concept C targets the niche of pure two-seater electric sports cars, with a virtual central motor layout (batteries under the floor) and a focus on driver engagement. It rivals lightweight coupes and dedicated platforms, especially those favoring clean lines and functional engineering.
Among similar philosophy competitors, emerging next-generation electric sports cars and conceptual models designed for track/road use appear. An interesting contrast is the radical proposal of the Mercedes‑AMG GT XX Concept EV, showcasing how extreme electric performance can go.
When will it arrive, and what does it mean for Audi’s naming strategy?
The production car inspired by the Concept C is scheduled for 2027 and will be purely electric—no combustion engine version is planned. The brand has signaled that it won’t be called TT, opening space for a new, cohesive naming convention aligned with the new era—part of recent strategic name revision changes, as seen in Audi’s name strategy updates.
This sports car is expected to debut the new design language in series production, followed by key models (successor to the A2, the electric A4, and a large tourer called “Landjet”). Visual consistency, a “sensorized” front panel, and four-element lights are likely to become signature features.
Top technical highlights in 30 seconds
- Two-panel rigid targa roof
- RWD; dual-motor AWD option
- 21” wheels with street tires
- Clean front with integrated sensors
- Fastback without glass; three vents
- Retractable 10.4” display inside the dashboard
- Aluminum buttons with “click” response
- Titanium Finish: technical elegance
Quick comparison vs. direct competitors
- Philosophy: functional simplicity
- Roof: exclusive rigid targa
- Platform: focus on lightness
- Interior: physical controls + retractable screen
- Design: four rings in the lights
- Dynamics: RWD base, AWD optional
- Aero: diffuser, no huge wings
FAQ – Quick Questions
- Will there be a combustion version? No. The model will be 100% electric.
- Will it have all-wheel drive? Yes, besides RWD, there will be a dual-motor AWD version.
- Is the targa roof made of fabric? No. It consists of two rigid panels, a new solution for the brand.
- Is it just a distant concept? No. Audi says it’s “almost literal” to the 2027 production car.
- What is the focus of the interior? Precise physical controls, retractable display, and track-inspired ergonomics.
For reference on positioning and powertrain maturity in the brand’s electric sports cars, it’s also worth checking how Audi handles power and chassis in the RS e-tron GT Performance— the calibration trends are expected to inspire the production Concept C.
What did you think of the “radically simple” approach? Comment below with how you imagine the performance and sound of this electric targa in 2027.
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Author: Fabio Isidoro
Founder and editor-in-chief of Canal Carro, he dedicates himself to exploring the automotive universe with depth and passion. A car and technology enthusiast, he produces technical content and in-depth analyses of national and international vehicles, combining quality information with a critical eye for the public.