Audi Concept C offers a glimpse of an electric two-seater

Audi itself refers to it as the “beginning of a new design philosophy.” The Concept C, which was unveiled a few days before the IAA Mobility in Munich, is therefore not intended to point to a single, possible production model. The new design language of the concept car is also likely to shape the following models in different size classes.

The most visually striking feature is, of course, the new brand face at the front. The ‘single frame’ radiator grille, which has characterised the design of Audi models for years and has become wider and larger over time, is now a ‘vertical frame’ – a significantly narrower, rectangular, black radiator grille that spans the entire height of the front. This design element is intended to “reinterpret the history of the brand.” With its upright shape, the vertical frame is reminiscent of the 1936 Auto Union Type C. On the Concept C, the radiator grille is black, which represents a break with the ‘inverted single frame’ grille of the current electric Audis, where the ‘radiator grille’ is painted in the same colour as the car.

The vertical frame and the new headlight design together form the future face of the brand. Four light elements on each side echo the four rings of the brand logo as a new light signature. The same applies to the rear lights, which now also feature four light elements each. “This design element will define Audi’s visual identity during both day and night, ensuring an unmistakable presence on the road,” wrote Audi. The rear view without a rear window is also almost unmistakable. Although the Concept C is designed like a coupé, it is actually a roadster with an electrically retractable hardtop.

While the current Audi design focuses on lots of lines and edges, the rest of the front (and the entire vehicle) is kept relatively simple, with lots of straight surfaces. Audi itself refers to this as “athletic minimalism.” “The interior features strong architectural surfaces and clear geometric forms that ensure space for both occupants while subtly placing the driver at the center,” wrote the Ingolstadt-based company.

The side view is probably more characteristic of the Concept C than of all future Audis. Although a strong shoulder line is not unusual for Audi, the area between the doors and the rear axle is unique in the Concept C. Audi states that the proportions result from the ‘mid-battery architecture.’ This is a reference to the technology donor: Porsche developed this architecture for the electric Boxster and Cayman.

Since the battery is located behind the seats, the Concept C is a pure two-seater. As with the exterior design, Audi has taken a minimalist approach to the interior: high-quality materials and natural substances dominate, and with its reduced appearance and ‘shy tech’ approach, the interior is almost reminiscent of the first TT. This is because Audi is once again focusing heavily on buttons and switches made of anodised aluminium, which are designed to offer a ‘distinctive Audi click’ for a tactile operating feel. Above all, the touchscreen, which often dominates the interior design, is retractable, as the 10.4-inch display can disappear into the dashboard for a clean look.

“The Audi Concept C marks the beginning of a new design philosophy and thus a defining moment for the four rings. It previews a future production model and will shape further models beyond that,” the company says in a rather general statement. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner was more specific, explaining that the model will not be launched as a TT: “The Concept C is not a successor of the TT. It’s a different segment to the TT – it’s somewhere exactly in the middle between TT and R8.”

Incidentally, it is not yet known where the upcoming production model will be built. Although Audi will use the Porsche platform, it is likely that it will manufacture the vehicle itself, as it has done in the past. The PPE models from Porsche and Audi are built in different factories and also use their own electric motors. It is still unclear what the supply chain for the special mid-range battery will look like: Porsche actually wanted to use Northvolt cells and have them assembled into battery packs by Valmet Automotive in Kirchhardt. However, Northvolt is insolvent, and the contract with Valmet was recently terminated.

audi-mediacenter.com (study), autocar.co.uk (Döllner)

This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition.