Image Source: @Wilcoblock, @Cochespias
A single leaked image was all it took to send Audi fans into speculation mode. Ahead of its debut at the 2025 IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Audi Canada yesterday briefly posted to Facebook, and then deleted, a shot of what appears to be a concept based around the brand’s next sports car. Now it begs the question: is this the long-rumored electric successor to the TT, which was discontinued over two years ago in 2023?
When the original TT (Tourist Trophy) first hit the scene back in 1998, it shared its platform with the humble Mk4 Volkswagen Golf. What made the 1st Gen-TT special wasn’t raw performance but its minimalist Bauhaus-inspired design. Simple, geometric, and uncluttered, it became an instant icon and one of Audi’s most influential cars of all time.
Fast forward to today, and Audi wants to recapture that impact. The new coupe, penned by design chief Massimo Frascella, carries the tagline “strive for clarity.” Frascella, fresh from Jaguar Land Rover, is tasked with resetting Audi’s entire design language.
Looking at the leaked image of this concept, it appears that Audi is leaning heavily into its past. The side profile of this sleek mid-ship coupe recalls the 2000 Rosemeyer concept and the 1991 Avus, both Audi design studies that combined sharp geometry with motorsport cues. While the wide D-Pillar merging into the roof is a nod to the OG-TT, a break in the roof could suggest a Targa-style roof. The multi-spoke wheels give off Taycan-Mission E vibes.
Audi’s teaser campaign has also highlighted the 1930s Auto Union Type C and D Silver Arrows. “The legends of yesterday are the blueprint for tomorrow,” Audi says, framing the concept as both evolutionary and revolutionary.
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Now this isn’t an isolated Audi project, but one with serious intent. CEO Gernot Döllner says every new concept from now on will preview a real production model. That means this car isn’t just a one-off; it could eventually sit above the RS e-tron GT as Audi’s new halo coupe, potentially filling the void left by the retired R8. Ironically, an all-electric R8 e-Tron exists.
This also appears to align with a report from Audi Club of North America, that the car is part of a program inside the Volkswagen Group, spanning several models. Alongside Audi’s coupe, there’s Porsche’s next-gen electric 718 Boxster and Cayman, and something for the VW Group’s Spanish-brand Cupra, and maybe a potential Scirocco comeback. The program, codenamed TT Evo, should give each brand a dedicated performance model, while sharing engineering costs and economies of scale.
There’s a catch. Audi’s concept is likely based around the aforementioned Porsche 718 EV, which in itself hit a roadblock as Porsche’s chosen battery supplier, Northvolt, filed for bankruptcy last year. Its assembly partner, Valmet, was also reportedly bogged down by endless revisions, and insiders say the 718 EV’s launch has slipped from 2025 to at least 2026. That’s a problem because the outgoing combustion-powered 718 goes out of production in late 2025. If Porsche stumbles, Audi’s timeline could be pushed back as well.
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Also, there’s still the question of whether buyers actually want an all-electric sports car. Porsche’s Taycan may have found an audience, but more among luxury EV adopters than hardcore enthusiasts. The Rimac Nevera’s slow sales show how little appetite there is for ultra-pricey EV exotics. Even Ferrari and Bugatti have hedged their risk with hybridized flagships rather than pure electrics.
Sports car buyers are traditionalists, and a car like the 718 GTS 4.0 with its naturally aspirated flat-six and manual transmission is still celebrated as the “real” Porsche. Audi’s challenge will be to make an EV that delivers emotional and driver engagement, often missing in EVs. Engineers across the VW Group know this, which is why features like active suspension, advanced aerodynamics, and potentially simulated dynamics could all very well be on the table.
Audi calls this moment “TT 2.0.” Some insiders believe it could even revive the quattro name, tying into Audi’s Formula 1 debut in 2026. But a 2027 or 2028 timeline is more realistic given Porsche’s delays. But for now, the leaked photo shows a coupe that looks far more production-ready than Audi would like to admit. Whatever it is, we’ll learn more when the Ingolstadt-based brand unveils its next design icon at 9:00 pm CEST, later today.
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