Driving the Future: Behind the Wheel of the Audi Concept C

[Source: Motor Trend]

We know what you are thinking. Didn’t we just share first driving impressions of the Audi Concept C? Yes, we did. However, the Concept C is likely the most important Audi model this century, so we think it warrants some additional coverage. This time we are sharing the perspective of Jonny Lieberman from Motor Trend.

Lieberman is a well-respected automotive journalist. However, Audi wouldn’t share any technical details with him either. So, we still must wait for that information. But he did get a brief spin behind the wheel, and we are curious about what he had to say.

The Looks

Before we get to any driving impressions, the collection of cars Audi brought with the Concept C is worth noting. A first-year R8, a TT and a 1936 Typ C. Although the Concept C stands out in this crowd, the family resemblance is obvious. There are also some strong Porsche design cues. “Looking at the car from the front three-quarters view with the roof collapsed under the rear deck reveals an A-pillar and rear that resembles the 991.2 Porsche Speedster, itself a simplified 911 shape,” says Lieberman.

He doesn’t love the upright rectangular grille but does note that it hides all the driver assistance hardware. Have you seen the newest Porsche 911 equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control and Night Vision Assist? Those options come with two ungainly and obtrusive-looking cameras right in the front bumper. The Concept C grille is elegant by comparison.

One more Porsche comparison, if we may. The roof operation looks very similar to the dance the 911 Targa roof does when it opens and closes.

As we have discussed many times before, the Concept C has an interior that is simple and elegant. It looks like it is made of premium materials and is a departure from some other recent Audi models.

The Drive

But you read this far because you want to know how it drives, right? Lieberman rode shotgun as an Audi employee took the wheel first. And with a quick stab of the throttle the car shot forward. Lieberman is convinced that there must be at least 500 horsepower being generated by the electric motors. Although making an EV that is quick in a straight line is not that tough nowadays. How does it handle? The short answer is better than an R8.

“We’d driven one of the OG V-8 R8s an hour beforehand, and this new EV is much quicker. Here’s the crazy part: The Concept C also rides and handles better,” says Lieberman. High praise indeed. He goes on to say that it drove like a lightened, shortened RS E-Tron GT. The steering is direct and balanced. Understeer seems to have been completely dialed out.

Overall, the Concept C impressed. This is a pre-production car that doesn’t yet have all the power, simulated gear changes or engine sounds. It is only going to get better from here. It seems like the future of Audi is heading in the right direction with the Concept C leading the way.