Audi’s ‘Emotional’ Sports Car Is Coming Sooner Than We Thought

Audi made a myriad of announcements this week during its annual conference. Not only did it share an early look at the reborn A2, but it also confirmed that the next Q7 and the first Q9 will both launch this year. There’s also a facelifted Q4 E-Tron coming in 2026, but the car we’re most excited to see is arriving next year.

The Concept C is going into production in 2027, a pleasant surprise considering we weren’t expecting it until 2028. At the beginning of the month, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said the two-door model would be launched “within two years.” But during yesterday’s conference, the top brass from Ingolstadt said production at the Böllinger Höfe site will kick off next year.

It’s the same factory that produced both generations of the R8 between 2006 and 2024. However, the Concept C won’t be a direct replacement for the V10-powered supercar. It also won’t fill the void left by the TT’s demise in 2023. Instead, the newcomer will sit somewhere in between, minus the combustion engine.

Consequently, rather than reviving the TT or R8 moniker, it’ll bear a different name. Audi has already ruled out combustion engines and additional body styles. The production-ready Concept C will be sold strictly as an EV with an electrically retractable targa top. It’ll be the first model from the Four Rings brand to feature this type of roof.

There had been reports about Audi potentially killing off the concept, stemming from another rumor alleging Porsche could axe the Boxster/Cayman EVs. However, both the Concept C and the electric 718 are still happening. Even better, Zuffenhausen is reinstating gas power in the top versions of its sports cars, so expect the flat-six engine to return.

When Audi showcased the concept last year, it remained tight-lipped about the technical specifications. It did, however, mention a single-motor setup with rear-wheel drive and the possibility of a dual-motor arrangement with Quattro. We also know the Concept C weighed 3,726 pounds (1,690 kilograms) and had the following dimensions: 178 inches (4520 millimeters) long, 77.5 in (1970 mm) wide, 50.5 in (1285 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 101.1 in (2568 mm).

Photo by: Audi

That made it longer and wider than the R8 while also being slightly taller; hardly a surprise given the battery pack. The pack’s size wasn’t mentioned, but logic suggests Audi’s engineers are prioritizing performance over efficiency. Consequently, the battery’s capacity is likely to be on the smaller side to limit the weight penalty.

Although pricing was never mentioned, it’s resonable to assume it’ll be more expensive than the TT but cheaper than an R8. Audi has set realistic sales expectations, with CEO Gernot Döllner projecting “a very low five-digit number.” But the Concept C is more than just a car: it’s also a window into the Audi of tomorrow, with a completely new design language and higher-quality interiors featuring more physical controls and less reliance on screens. The German luxury brand is hoping to replicate the impact of the original TT, but it’ll be a difficult act to follow.

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Source: Audi

Motor1’s Take: We’re cautiously optimistic about Audi’s attempt at a “TT Moment 2.0.” Without gas engines, it’s leaving money on the table by significantly narrowing the model’s customer base. The Concept C does promise great things in terms of design and interior quality before these traits spread across the lineup.

Although the car won’t have mass appeal, it’s a necessary product. Audi currently doesn’t have any coupes or convertibles on sale, so the targa-topped EV will fill that void in 2027.