Audi sticks with Concept C despite Porsche 718 uncertainty

From an electric mobility perspective, the Concept C study was the highlight of Audi’s presence at the IAA Mobility trade show last September. The fully electric two-seater sports car not only offered a glimpse into the brand’s new design philosophy—featuring the ‘vertical frame’ at the front as a nod to the Auto Union Type C from 1936—but also previewed a concrete production model.

At the trade show, the focus was naturally on design, with Audi providing few details about the technical specifications. The German manufacturer merely confirmed a ‘mid-battery architecture,’ which was a significant clue. After all, this is the same architecture that the Volkswagen Group’s Porsche brand developed internally for the similarly sized electric successors to the 718 Boxster and Cayman. However, in early February, reports emerged suggesting that the Porsche board, under new CEO Michael Leiters, might abandon the model range after several delays and setbacks—though no final decision has been made.

The mere possibility that Audi might lose its technology partner for the production version of the Concept C has fuelled rumours in Ingolstadt about the future of the electric sports car. In response to enquiries from Motor1, an Audi spokesperson dismissed the rumours of a potential cancellation as ‘pure speculation’ and emphasised that Audi remains on schedule.

However, Audi is not only attempting to calm the waters externally. According to the German Donaukurier, CEO Gernot Döllner intervened in an internal memo to reassure employees working on the project. In the memo, Döllner reportedly stated that the sports car has ‘a bright future.’ He was quoted as saying: “The supply of the platform by Porsche is not in question.” He also emphasised that the jointly developed performance EV project is progressing ‘in good cooperation between Team Porsche and Team Audi.’

While many manufacturers are retrofitting internal combustion engines into platforms originally designed for purely electric vehicles, Audi has confirmed since the IAA that the performance EV project is based on a dedicated electric platform. This is particularly relevant as Porsche is no longer focusing exclusively on electric successors for the 718 but also plans to reintroduce internal combustion models in this segment by the end of the decade—these would likely require a different platform. At Audi, however, this is not under consideration, according to current information. The model will be available solely with a battery-electric powertrain. There is another difference: While Porsche developed two body variants from the outset—the Boxster (convertible) and Cayman (coupé), Audi will offer only one version: the coupé with a Targa roof, as showcased in the Concept C at IAA 2025.

motor1.com, donaukurier.de (Paywall; both in German), carscoops.com