by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has refuted rumors about the cancellation of the brand’s new electric sports car, known as the C-Sport. In an internal address to employees, he stated that the project remains active and secure, despite surrounding doubts regarding the related Porsche 718 EV model.
Key Facts About the Future Car
Shadows of Doubt Around the Shared Platform
Rumors about potential issues with the electric version of the Porsche 718 have caused concern for the future of the Audi C-Sport, as both cars are supposed to be based on the same technical foundation. After Porsche admitted that a complete departure from the gasoline-powered Macan was a mistake, speculation arose that the electric 718 might also be canceled before production begins. This would create serious problems for Audi, which is counting on this shared platform.
The situation intensified after Michael Leiters was appointed as the new CEO of Porsche on January 1, 2026, replacing Oliver Blume. According to reports, the electric 718 models are under review as part of cost-cutting measures across the entire Volkswagen Group, which aims to reduce costs by approximately 20% across all its brands.
Support from Audi Management
In an internal letter to staff, Gernot Döllner noted that the platform supply from Porsche is “not in question,” and the collaboration between the two brands remains strong. This direct assurance is meant to reassure company employees. The future car, considered the spiritual successor to the iconic TT coupe, is one of the brand’s most important future “halo models” intended to elevate its image.
The production version, internally known as the C-Sport, will share key components with the Porsche 718 EV, including the chassis and powertrain technologies.
Construction and Design Features
The car will be built on a heavily modified version of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture. Its key feature will be the placement of the battery pack behind the driver, rather than under the floor. This will allow for a lower seating position and a more traditional sports car layout.
While management does not confirm whether the TT name will return, this model is clearly aimed at filling the niche left by the iconic coupe. It is intended to offer a more emotional and design-oriented car in an era when most of the model range is transitioning to crossovers and mass-market electric vehicles.
A New Milestone in Audi Design
This project is of particular significance as it is the first Audi developed under the leadership of the new Chief Designer, Massimo Frascella. The concept marks the beginning of a new design line, which will include an updated radiator grille that will influence the brand’s future models. Thus, the C-Sport is set to become not just a new flagship, but also a design manifesto.
Rumors surrounding the future electric Porsche 718 are likely to continue, and the new Porsche CEO may also express support for this program. However, Audi enthusiasts can already be confident that work on the production version of the Concept C is ongoing, with its debut scheduled for next year.
Döllner’s position underscores the strategic importance of this project for Audi in a transforming market. The success of the C-Sport could define the brand’s ability to combine the emotional appeal of sports cars with the demands of the electric era, while maintaining its individuality within the large conglomerate. The model has the potential not only to satisfy TT fans but also to attract a new audience, demonstrating that electric drive and exciting dynamics are not mutually exclusive concepts.
