Yes, The Audi Concept C Looks Better In Person

I don’t care whether your car runs on gas or electricity—it takes a lot to look good parked next to a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Yet here was Audi’s concept car on a stage at IAA Munich, grabbing plenty of attention in its own right. For anyone worried about whether the Audi Concept C was actually good-looking or not, I have great news: it is.

That’s exciting for a couple of reasons. For one, the Concept C definitely previews an upcoming electric sports car, and Audi’s own CEO revealed some exciting new details about it at Europe’s biggest automotive expo.

And it previews the future of Audi’s design language, which has gotten a bit fussy and overcooked yet somehow indistinctive in recent years. This design is meant to take Audi back to its 1990s and 2000s heyday, while drawing inspiration from its classic prewar racecars too.

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

The Concept C has certainly proven divisive, however. Go to any comment section on a news story (including ours) or YouTube video about this car and you’ll see plenty of criticism to go with any praise—more than a few folks have drawn unfavorable comparisons to the Jaguar Type 00. Given how that brand’s “relaunch” has gone, it may not be company any other car would want to share. 

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

But maybe our vision plan at InsideEVs is bad, because I’m not seeing it. I really like how this thing looks.

I’ll start with my impressions after seeing the Concept C in person. Interior-wise, it’s very much still a concept, but it wouldn’t take much for the rest of this two-seater to make it to production. I especially love that horizontally vented rear treatment, although I am curious if Audi has the guts to take it to production without a rear window, Polestar-style. 

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

And in terms of size, it’s technically a bit bigger than the last Audi R8, though it wears those dimensions well; at least visually, it seemed closer to a Nissan Z in its overall packaging. It’s low, wide and sleek, and has a kind of elegance that the R8 traded for brute force. 

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

No wonder, then, that it’s being hailed as a successor to the Audi TT. But Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said that isn’t the case. At the show, he told Top Gear that it will not bear that name and will instead be positioned in price between the TT and the R8. 

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

There’s a pretty big gulf between “Volkswagen Golf-based two-seat coupe” and “V10 supercar,” so that doesn’t help narrow it down much. But if it does indeed share a platform with the upcoming all-electric Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman as everyone suspects, I’d guess it’ll start near or around the six-figure range. Döllner also said that this car is “90% there” in terms of the design that’s actually going to production, and that moving forward, Audi won’t show off cars it doesn’t intend to make.

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

Moreover, Döllner confirmed that the Audi electric sports car will get a “virtual gearbox” a la the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and simulated engine sounds as well. It joins a small but growing field of performance-focused EVs that aim to replicate gas-car sensations without the emissions.

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

But the CEO told Top Gear the goal is to be additive: “We found that a virtual gearbox and sound really add something to driving an electric car. Even on the racetrack, I’m faster with a car with a virtual gearbox,” he said.

Audi Concept C Live Photos

Photo by: Patrick George

Sure, it’s not for everyone. But two-seat sports cars aren’t supposed to be. And we need more EV representation on that front, especially because I’ll be long dead before the Tesla Roadster finally gets here, if it ever does. I’m excited to see where Audi goes with all of this, from the car itself to how it’ll trickle down to future designs. 

And hey: People are talking about it. That’s half the battle, isn’t it?

Check out the gallery below for more live photos.

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com