Audi’s New Electric Sports Car Is a TT Successor Worth Waiting For
What It IsWhile the Audi Concept C that debuted last fall is just that, a concept, the electric two-seater also provides a pretty clear glimpse of an upcoming production car. The version that eventually reaches showrooms will follow in the tire tracks of the Audi TT, which was laid to rest following the 2023 model year. We're still waiting to learn the future sports car's name, but we expect Audi to reveal more details sometime later this year. Meanwhile, we're excited by what we've seen, as the roadster's striking design will inspire the production model and set the stage for a new era of Audi cars. Why It MattersTo put it bluntly, Audi has been struggling as of late. The VW Group's luxury brand saw poor sales last year, which wasn't helped by blunders like introducing an unpopular naming convention that it eventually abandoned. With the TT and R8 supercar also out of the picture, Audi's lineup currently lacks an aspirational performance model, but that's why launching a new sports car that looks like the Concept C is so important. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner reportedly said the new model is expected to help rejuvenate the brand when it debuts sometime in 2027, even referring to the roadster as a "TT Moment 2.0." PlatformAudi hasn't confirmed any details about the TT successor's platform, but it will almost certainly be shared with the next-generation Porsche 718. While the latter was originally planned to be EV-only, it has been reported that Porsche is adapting the platform to accommodate combustion engines, suggesting that any alterations will also be available to its Audi sibling. AudiPowertrainWhen Audi revealed the Concept C, the automaker acknowledged that the concept would inspire the production car. At the time, we were told the future model would exclusively feature an electric powertrain, though the reported Porsche news appears to leave the door open for a gas-fed option. However, until that's confirmed, we'll have to go with what we know. The Concept C features a rear-wheel-drive setup, and it's possible the production version offers the same layout, but we'd be surprised if all-wheel drive wasn't at least an option. Audi's famous Quattro system was standard on the TT and available on the R8, so it just makes sense. Word has it that the TT successor could potentially have a digital gearbox that fakes shifts, too. CompetitionRight now, you won't find any two-seater electric sports cars sold on U.S. soil. However, that could change between now and when Audi's new roadster reaches dealers. At the very least, Porsche should have released its new 718 Boxster and Cayman. Heck, maybe Tesla will have finally launched the second-gen Roadster that Elon has been teasing for what feels like a decade. Jokes aside, the upcoming Audi's competition will likely be a Venn diagram of TT and R8 competitors, of which there are currently some hybrids but no full-on EVs.What Might Go WrongIf the delays that Porsche's planned electric sports car has experienced are any indication, Audi's version could also face setbacks. Even if it does go into production on the estimated timeline, an electric two-seater might not be everyone's cup of tea, and poor sales could ultimately lead it to an early retirement. Estimated Arrival and PriceIf what we currently know holds true, the Audi TT successor will go on sale sometime in 2027. Although pricing is hard to predict since we've been told it will fall somewhere between the last TT and R8, which ranged from about $55K to over $160K, we'd wager that the forthcoming sports car will flirt with the six-figure mark. See All of the Cars Worth Waiting ForRelated StoriesAudi TT: What We Know So FarAudi Concept C Is Drivable and Legal on the StreetNew Audi Concept Previews the TT's EV Successor➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsEric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.
