Audi has unveiled the Concept C, a study that signals a bold step forward in the brand’s design language while drawing on elements of its storied past. The two-seat sports car embodies what Audi calls “athletic minimalism”, a philosophy that relies on clean, precise surfaces intersected by a single defining line to create tension, form and purpose.
At the front, the Concept C introduces a new vertical frame that serves as the structural core of the vehicle. This upright element, inspired by the Auto Union Type C of 1936 and the third-generation Audi A6 of 2004, provides a sense of presence and identity while integrating the Audi rings and advanced lighting technology.
A pronounced shoulder line flows from this feature to define the car’s volume, while the cabin itself is pushed rearward to emphasise the central battery layout that underpins its proportions. For the first time on an Audi roadster, an electrically retractable hardtop is employed, using two roof sections that allow the car to maintain its sculpted monolithic profile with the option of open-top driving. The rear is marked by clean surfacing and horizontal slats that accentuate its sporty stance.
Lighting design plays a central role in the Concept C’s identity. Both the headlights and tail-lamps adopt a new signature, consisting of four horizontally aligned elements, ensuring the car remains instantly recognisable in both day and night conditions. Finished in a Titanium paintwork, the exterior exudes technical elegance, referencing the metal’s qualities of strength, precision and lightness.
Inside, the Concept C continues the theme of structural clarity. The cabin is dominated by strong architectural lines and geometric forms that create space for occupants while subtly positioning the driver at the centre of focus. Materials are chosen for both their tactile and visual qualities. Anodised aluminium switchgear delivers mechanical precision with Audi’s characteristic “click,” while the steering wheel becomes a centrepiece of haptic craftsmanship with metallic Audi rings embedded in its core.
The colour scheme continues the Titanium inspiration, employing tone-on-tone harmony with natural materials and indirect ambient lighting to enhance warmth, refinement and solidity.
Technology within the Concept C is designed to remain intuitive rather than overwhelming. A 10.4-inch foldable centre display provides contextual information in a straightforward manner, complemented by haptic controls on the steering wheel and centre console. This balance of subtlety and precision ensures that interaction feels both natural and sophisticated.
The Concept C is more than a design study; it sets the tone for Audi’s next generation of vehicles. By uniting clarity, technical rigour, intelligent usability and emotional presence, the model represents the start of a new design philosophy that will shape upcoming production cars and guide the evolution of the brand.
