The Audi Concept C will go into production in 2027, according to the German automaker, despite sliding profits and rumours electric versions of the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman twins – which share the same platform – have been put on ice.
Audi revealed the sleek two-door Concept C in September last year, with a design echoing the highly polarising Jaguar Type 00 Concept.
The production version of the Concept C will be electric-only, with no plans for an internal combustion engine version to be offered alongside for its scheduled launch in 2027.
Yet the future of the entire Concept C project has been questioned as a knock-on effect of unconfirmed reports the electric Porsche 718 duo has been cancelled, following significant financial losses as Porsche wound back its electric vehicle (EV) targets and posted a 10 per cent sales decline in 2025.
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The 718 project itself has reportedly suffered cost overruns and multiple development delays, putting pressure on the program as Porsche – once the most profitable automaker per vehicle on the planet – came under financial strain.
While Porsche hasn’t officially confirmed the end of the 718 EVs, the reports have fuelled further speculation the Audi Concept C, announced last year with plans for a showroom version in 2027, could also face the axe.
Audi has denied this, according to Motor1, telling the publication the reports were “pure speculation”, but without offering any further comment or definitive confirmation.
The situation comes as Audi, too, faces significant challenges with EV profitability, with reports the automaker’s profit collapse in the first half of 2025 saw it labelled a “crisis case” within the Volkswagen Group.
Audi, like Porsche, is part of the broader Volkswagen Group, with brands across the group sharing components to reduce costs – such as the previous-generation Audi R8, which was twinned with the Lamborghini Huracán.
At its unveiling, the Concept C was described by Audi as using an electric platform from within the Volkswagen Group, and while not officially confirmed, the underpinnings of the 718 Boxster and Cayman appeared set to provide a suitable basis.
If the Porsche EV sports cars are cancelled – which German publication Handelsblatt said would cost the company billions of euros – the financial viability of the Concept C as a road car could be called into question.
Yet Audi has said the Concept C, announced after its significant financial losses and the closure of its Belgium plant, is integral to its long-term turnaround plan.
It also cancelled a high-performance RS6 e-tron wagon and agreed to sell the majority of its stake in famed design and engineering firm Italdesign to United States firm UST late last year.
At the same time, a recovery of sorts began with an early 5.9 per cent global sales decline between January and June improving to a three per cent year-on-year drop, with 1.6 million vehicles sold worldwide for the year.
This included 223,000 EV sales, an increase of 36 per cent. Audi sold 1585 EVs in Australia, placing it 14th for EV sales locally.
Overall, Audi Australia finished 2025 up 4.4 per cent year-on-year, and rose one place to 18th in the national sales rankings.