ElecTTric Future? Audi’s Concept C Picks Up Where the TT Left Off
Powered by history and a battery, the Concept C previews both a new car and a new brand language.
Aaron GoldWriterManufacturerPhotographerSep 03, 2025
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Audi’s TT roadster had a solid 25-year run, starting with a first-gen “Bauhaus” style that set a striking new tone for Audi design. Now, two years after the TT’s demise, we have our first look at its potential replacement in the form of Audi’s new electric Concept C. Like the TT before it, the Concept C previews more than just a car. It gives us a glimpse of where Massimo Frascella, Audi’s (relatively) new chief creative officer, is planning to take the venerable German brand.
The Concept C (CC? Hey, that rhymes with TT! Too bad the name is/was taken) debuts several styling cues that Audi says will be part of a new look that will permeate through the brand’s lineup. The concept is inspired by the Auto Union Type C racing car of 1936, a rather strange cab-forward affair that sat the engine behind the driver and featured dual rear wheels, just like an F-350 brodozer. More obvious to the modern eye is Audi’s other cited inspiration, the third-generation A6 sedan (2005–2011), which lends the Concept C its tall not-grille and horizontally oriented headlight arrangement. While we see the A6 connection, we also see a hint of the controversial Jaguar Type 00 concept, cross-bred with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan up front. It’s a strange look, to be sure, but we were reassured by the lovely curves of the roofline, which echo those of the second- and third-generation TT.
What’s even niftier is what that roofline does: It retracts, leaving the Concept C with a Targa-like profile. There is no rear window (Polestar, see what you started?) but rather three vents inspired by the Type C racer. Out back, the squinty, four-segment taillights echo the headlights and the surfacing of the nose, making the Concept C’s back end as smooth as that of the proverbial baby’s. The concept’s silver paint highlights the contrast between the smooth panel surfacing and the lines of the panel cuts.
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While the Concept C’s exterior is likely to polarize opinion, the interior presents much we can agree on. The steering wheel—round, not flat-bottomed, a rebellious break from Audi’s sporting tradition—features anodized rotary controls styled as faux spokes, as well as dials flanking the horn button, which Audi says will have the haptic “click” feel found in the touch panels on its present cars. Center console controls have been reduced to the bare minimum. And did you notice what isn’t there to be noticed? The Concept C features a 10.4-inch center display, but it retracts into the dashboard when not needed. The seats are upholstered in wool, with a texture that contrasts with the body’s smooth flanks. Minimal anodized-aluminum trim rounds out the refreshingly simple interior.
Audi made no mention of what makes the Concept C go, but with corporate cousin Porsche reportedly developing an electric platform for the 718 Boxster and Cayman, it’s likely the Concept C’s underpinnings are closely related. And yes, we will see a production version of the Concept C, one that, according to Audi, will not deviate too far from the concept.
Audi’s decision to make an electric sports car will no doubt inspire controversy among gearheads. We at MotorTrend are sold on electric performance, and we have no doubt the production version of the Concept C will offer stunning acceleration and sporty handling. Still, range will be a challenge, particularly in a car with limited battery space, as it’s hard to enjoy the open road when you’re stuck waiting for a charger to free up. Nonetheless, we’re glad to know the TT will have a successor and pleased that it will be the flag-carrier for Audi’s new design themes, just like the original.
Aaron Gold
After a two-decade career as a freelance writer, Aaron Gold joined MotorTrend’s sister publication Automobile in 2018 before moving to the MT staff in 2021. Aaron is a native New Yorker who now lives in Los Angeles with his spouse, too many pets, and a cantankerous 1983 GMC Suburban.
