Audi Concept C to Feature Virtual Gearbox and Perhaps Synthetic 5-Cylinder Engine Sounds

[Source: Top Gear]

Since its debut last week, the Audi Concept C has been all the talk in Audi circles. Or is that rings? More information seems to come out almost daily about the exciting new Audi sports car. Most recently we learned via a conversation between Audi CEO, Gernot Döllner and Top Gear that the Concept C will likely have a virtual gearbox and possibly synthetic 5-cylinder engine sounds. We don’t know what the production car will be called yet, but it won’t be a TT. 

According to Döllner, the Concept C is 90 percent complete, so the production version should not stray too far from the concept. Great news if you love the concept but perhaps a downer if you don’t. Feedback has been mixed but Döllner is generally happy with what he has been hearing.

“We are quite happy with the feedback. Some people have questioned solutions and features, but I think that’s positive, because you need discussion,” Döllner told Top Gear. He went on to say that the company is striving to have the car in production sometime in 2027.

EV Driving Excitement

Some fans may have been disappointed to learn that the new Audi sports car is going to be an EV. However, all is not lost when it comes to driving excitement. Audi is taking steps to ensure that it offers an engaging driving experience. This includes a virtual gearbox. “We found that a virtual gearbox and sound really add something to driving an electric car. Even on the racetrack, I’m faster with a car with a virtual gearbox. We’re developing it, I think we’ll have one,” said the Audi boss.

As for the sound of the new car, it may mimic the sound of the current RS 3. Unfortunately, Döllner confirmed that the days are numbered for the beloved 5-cylinder in the RS 3. It won’t be updated to the Euro 7 emission standard. However, he did say “Maybe it will come back virtually.” In this day and age, that is about the best we can hope for.

Not a TT

So, what is the Concept C going to be called when it reaches production? It will be positioned between the out of production favorite TT and R8 models. It is not a TT successor, so it will not have a TT name. The team was so focused on developing the concept that they never really focused on the name.

Döllner did say “To be honest it could start with an R or be a name.” Since it is electric will it have the e-tron moniker? The R7 e-tron? The Audi Targa e-tron? It is fun to speculate about the name, but the real fun will come from behind the wheel. We can’t wait to get the chance.