Spearheading a new direction for Audi design, the Concept C heralds a return to the sports car segment. The brand vacated the market when TT and R8 production ended in 2023 and 2024 respectively, but thanks to platform-sharing with Porsche’s upcoming electric Cayman and Boxster twins, the Concept C will reach the roads as a driver-focused EV. The chassis features a mid-mounted battery stack to provide a low seating position and mid-engined balance, while a choice of single or dual-motor powertrains are expected to be offered.

We’ll get a look under the skin when the car goes into production in 2027, but the focus of the concept is to show how Audis of the future will look first and foremost. Drawing inspiration from the 1936 Auto Union Type C racer and the 2004 A6, the Concept C dispenses with the handsomely creased surfaces of the current model range in favour of gently blended panels.

The singleframe grille remains the focal point of the front end, but is significantly narrower than on present Audis. It’s flanked by four-segment headlights, and an identical number of LEDs occupy each cluster at the rear. The upright grille houses the car’s driver assistance sensors, while additional inlets for cooling are found at the outer edges of the front bumper.

When viewed from the side, the wheel arches hide the extent of their flaring, but house 21” 6-spoke alloy wheels reminiscent of the Mk1 TT’s. The aerodynamically optimised rims are the only hint towards the power level of the production model, as they wear 255/30 and 305/30 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres at the front and rear respectively.

For the first time on an Audi, the Concept C makes use of a metal folding roof. The car can transform from a coupé to a roadster at the touch of a button within the two-seat cabin. In another departure from current premium-segment trends, no pillar-to-pillar infotainment display is to be found. Instead, a customisable screen sits ahead of the driver, and a central infotainment display can emerge from the dashboard. The air conditioning controls shine through a backlit trim element.

A close look reveals new physical switchgear, rotary dials for drive mode selection, and two buttons on the steering wheel marked with a chequered flag, and the word BOOST. Natural fibres clad the slimline two-piece seats and door cards, while metal is the material of choice for the four rings on the steering wheel.

At a glance, the Concept C shows multiple elements that will find their way into production in the coming years, with its four-segment light signature, tall and narrow grille, and minimalist surface detailing. Closer inspection reveals reimagined shapes and surfaces from previous models, an evolution of the 2000 Rosemeyer Concept’s proportions to this writer’s eyes, and clues about the future electric sports car being hidden in plain sight.

The car is futuristic, tipping its folding metal cap to the past while being the obvious choice for Detective Del Spooner in a sequel of I, Robot. With 20 new and updated models landing in the next 24 months, it won’t be long before we see the Concept C’s influence reaching the showrooms, and a new two-seat Audi hitting the roads.