- Two-seater sports cars show future design direction
- Up close, the elegant roadster resembles a production model
- As a brand new performance offering, it could come between the TT and R8.
Rather than invite a group of journalists to a cramped design studio somewhere deep in Germany, Audi has opted for the glitz and glamor of London’s West End to present what it claims is the “manifestation of a new design philosophy”.
The Audi Concept C is the work of former Jaguar Land Rover designer Massimo Frascella, who reportedly designed the controversial Jaguar Type 00 concept before leaving the company.
There are clues in the elegant character and clean lines of the sleek silver two-seater, the minimalist grill (rare these days) and the massive, curved rear end, with the rear window eliminated, expressing a classic, almost Porsche Spyder approach.
If you look closely at its metallic beauty, it surprisingly looks like a production vehicle, with side mirrors and a functional cockpit, suggesting that the German brand is ready to put this electric sports car in showrooms in the near future.
All you need is a set of door handles and finishes that meet strict safety regulations and that’s it.
It’s been a long time since I thought a modern sports car concept deserved such an electric drive.
2004 Audi RSQ Concept emits strong vibrations me, robot film, itself a prequel to R8, floating futuristically and autonomously through Chicago in 2035, battling intelligent humanoid robots. Maybe Elon should reconsider.
Rumors (and logic) suggest it will be on the same electric platform as the upcoming all-electric Porsche Boxster and Cayman models. Although these measures have been announced and postponed for some time.
But while Porsche tries to electrify perhaps the world’s most perfect sports cars, Audi has never had higher expectations on its shoulders.
On the other hand, the TT has always been the most comfortable, practical and quality two-seater sports car, even if it wasn’t the fastest on the track.
The design speaks
The Audi Concept C is both a preview of what will most likely be a two-seater electric sports car, and a statement of intent, a small taste of what we can expect from the German brand in the coming years.
It’s both very futuristic and unmistakably Audi, with anodized aluminum switches inside that aim to provide a decidedly retro yet wonderfully tactile response to every interaction. There is no large infotainment screen, just the essentials directly in the driver’s field of vision. It’s almost an anti-modern electric vehicle.
Every surface, both indoor and outdoor, is reminiscent of an architectural or sculptural work, with every detail carefully considered. The result is somewhat cohesive and very special.
So much so that if this concept vehicle in its current form were to drive silently through London’s West End, it would undoubtedly stop everyone in its tracks.
The looks are within everyone’s reach, a loud V10 engine is simply not needed.