Audi may be extending the life of V8 engines in some of its larger performance models, but enthusiasts hoping for a gasoline-powered successor to the TT have just received disappointing news.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has confirmed that the upcoming production version of the Concept C sports car will launch exclusively as an electric vehicle. The model is widely regarded as the spiritual successor to the TT and is expected to enter production in 2027.
The announcement comes at a time when several automakers are reconsidering earlier plans to go all-electric. Brands such as Porsche are reportedly exploring combustion-powered alternatives for future sports cars, while others have extended the lifespan of traditional engines in response to slower-than-expected EV adoption.
Audi, however, appears committed to keeping the Concept C fully electric and has no plans to add a gasoline option to its upcoming TT successor.
No Combustion Option Planned
When asked whether Audi could follow Porsche’s lead and engineer the vehicle to support a gasoline engine, Döllner ruled out the possibility.
“Asking for that specific model, it will definitely be battery-electric only,” he said. “We are not thinking about flexibility because the global volume we are planning for it is quite small.”
The statement effectively ends speculation that Audi might offer a combustion-powered version for markets like the United States, where demand for performance EVs remains less consistent than in Europe or China.
Döllner acknowledged that regional preferences are increasingly diverging. He noted that Europe and China are expected to become heavily dominated by battery-electric vehicles, while the U.S. market will likely continue relying on combustion engines and hybrids for at least another decade.
Even so, Audi sees enough demand for the electric sports car in specific regions of the U.S. to justify its launch.
A New Halo Sports Car For Audi
The Concept C was first revealed as a design study showcasing Audi’s future styling direction. Its proportions and design cues drew inspiration from several iconic Audi models, including the original TT, the R8, and even classic Auto Union race cars.
More importantly, Audi executives have repeatedly described the concept as a direct preview of a future production model rather than a one-off show car.
Döllner recently confirmed that production will begin in 2027, making the Concept C one of Audi’s most important enthusiast-focused launches in years.
Since the TT ended production in 2023 and the R8 disappeared shortly afterward, Audi’s performance lineup has been left without a dedicated sports car.
While RS models continue to offer impressive performance, neither fills the role once occupied by the brand’s iconic two-door halo cars. The Concept C is expected to become the closest thing Audi has to a modern TT successor.
Audi Still Sees A Future For Combustion Performance Cars
While the Concept C will remain electric, Döllner stopped short of declaring combustion-powered sports cars dead at Audi. “It could be that we think about sports cars with a combustion engine as well for the future,” he said.
That comment follows several recent remarks from the Audi chief expressing support for larger performance engines. Earlier this month, Döllner stated that he is “a big fan of V8s” and suggested there is still room for eight-cylinder powertrains in Audi’s larger SUVs and performance models.
His comments have also fueled speculation about the future of the R8. When asked about the possibility of a new supercar sharing technology with the Lamborghini Temerario, Döllner praised the Lamborghini’s twin-turbocharged V8 and described it as an “outstanding engine.”
Although he stopped well short of confirming a new R8, the continued hints suggest Audi has not completely abandoned the idea of another flagship performance car.
SUVs Remain The Priority
Despite enthusiasm surrounding the Concept C, Audi’s immediate focus remains on higher-volume vehicles.
The company recently confirmed plans for the new Q9, a flagship three-row SUV aimed primarily at the North American market. Audi executives expect the model to become a key profit driver and strengthen the brand’s position in one of its most important regions.
Sports cars generate excitement and strengthen brand image, but SUVs continue to deliver the sales volumes and profits that fund future product development.
For Audi, the Concept C appears to serve as a halo vehicle designed to showcase the company’s future direction rather than become a high-volume seller.
Unfortunately for fans of turbocharged five-cylinders and high-revving gasoline engines, that future will be powered exclusively by batteries.
Whether enthusiasts embrace the electric TT successor remains to be seen, but Audi has made it clear that there will be no gasoline-powered backup plan waiting in the wings.