Audi’s New Idea Automobile Is A Smooth Peak Into The Firm’s Future

“Radical simplicity and technical precision.” That is what Audi claims its all-new idea automotive is embodying, and looking out over the automotive’s particulars, it is onerous to argue towards the truth that the German large has nailed the temporary. We’re speaking concerning the Idea C — a hanging idea that Audi has lately revealed, and if we’re to consider that this idea is foreshadowing what we are able to count on from Audi’s manufacturing fashions sooner or later, then it is clear that some massive adjustments are on the horizon.

See, that is precisely what an idea automotive ought to do. Ever for the reason that first idea automotive –- the Buick Y-Job of 1938 — idea automobiles have been utilized by automakers to indicate off their technical and styling capabilities. Vehicles like these are usually unveiled at massive exhibits, and this fashion, automakers can gauge the reactions of attendees, see what they like, what they dislike, after which use that info to make judgement calls about what points of the idea they’ll construct upon for future manufacturing fashions.

Trying on the Idea C, there’s lots to love. Audi claims that the minimalist traces have been influenced from the flowing Auto Union fashions of the Nineteen Thirties, and we do not assume that is simply advertising and marketing discuss both -– it is simple to see the connection. Whereas present Audi fashions are fairly aggressive and busy within the design division, the Idea C is remarkably easy. It is designed as a two-seater sports activities automotive, with a silhouette not too dissimilar from that of the unique and iconic Audi TT. Whereas the design hints at a attainable new and understated route for Audi fashions, the all-electric powertrain and two-seat configuration hints {that a} attainable substitute for the lately discontinued TT could possibly be on the horizon.

Sadly, Audi is maintaining some playing cards near its chest, and a kind of playing cards holds all of the thrilling powertrain particulars. So, other than the truth that it is electrified, we actually do not know a lot about what the Idea C has to supply when it comes to motivation. We all know lots concerning the inside although, and that is fairly an thrilling house — and worlds away from the four-ringed interiors we see as we speak.

Fortunately, the Idea C sees a welcome return to bodily buttons, and never low cost plastic ones both, however bodily, aluminum switchgear –- hopefully a characteristic that may creep into manufacturing fashions within the coming years. Once more, this can be a characteristic which additionally harkens again to that unique TT, which boasted aluminum particulars all through the cabin, along with glossy, geometric shapes — one other spotlight of the Idea C’s cabin. Haptic buttons are discovered on the steering wheel, which is a disgrace, however we reside in hope that these too could possibly be changed for bodily gadgets by the point manufacturing comes round -– if it ever does. The seats and door playing cards are coated in wool, not leather-based. Not solely an environmentally optimistic alternative, however sensible too, because the seat cooling properties and audio system can work by way of the open weave, negating the necessity for added cutouts which might break the simplistic design.

In and out, titanium is the colour of alternative. It is not precisely thrilling, however it’s refreshing and it really works effectively for the Idea C’s easy traces. What number of of those particulars will form the corporate’s future are unknown, but when we glance again by way of Audi’s historical past of ideas, it is clear to see that Audi likes to take parts from ideas and work them into manufacturing fashions the place attainable.

One of many extra well-known cases of Audi truly utilizing its idea mannequin as a foundation for a totally fledged manufacturing automotive stems from the 2003 Audi Le Mans Quattro idea. This was a low-slung idea automotive that seemed like no Audi earlier than it, sporting a boosted V10 powerplant, all-wheel drive, house for 2 and a six-speed guide transmission with automated shifting and clutch. If that sounds acquainted, that is as a result of it is primarily a first-generation Audi R8 — the manufacturing mannequin barely deviated in any respect from the preliminary idea.

The identical could possibly be mentioned concerning the 1995 Audi TT idea automotive, which once more, is hardly distinguishable in any respect from the manufacturing mannequin. Actually, park it out on the road, and we would wager that hardly anybody would bat an eyelid at it, given how a lot it seems to be like every other first-gen TT. There aren’t many idea automobiles you possibly can say that about, and that ought to converse volumes about how a lot tech and design Audi likes to hold over from its idea fashions. The 2003 Audi Pikes Peak idea is one other notable instance, ultimately arriving in showrooms because the Q7 some years later.

Optimistically, Audi carries on this development, and we will see the Idea C arrive as a manufacturing mannequin in only a few brief years, as a easy, back-to-basics substitute for the TT – albeit now with an electrified powertrain. Whereas the sharp and aggressive traces, shouty grilles, and busy interiors of present Audi fashions are precisely dangerous, there’s something very interesting about this new route Audi seems to be to be headed in.