Two decades ago, Audi transformed itself from a brand that competed with Subaru, at least in the eyes of consumers, to one viewed on par with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. No easy feat, as unlike those other German marques, Audi never had dedicated rear-wheel-drive platforms to work with. The company’s impressive upward mobility was owed to its industry-changing design, first applied to the stunning 2003 Le Mans Quattro concept—which eventually became the R8—then quickly followed by the Nuvolari and Pikes Peak concepts, which led to the A5 and Q7 production cars, respectively. The design language was so strong, inside and out, that premium automakers were suddenly on their collective back foot.

In recent years, though, the heir to the Auto Union legacy has been stumbling a bit with electrification—too many platforms and either aging or almost bloated shapes. Yet behind the scenes, it has been a different story. Starting with the key appointment of Gernot Döllner as C.E.O. in September 2023 and continuing with Massimo Frascella—formerly of Jaguar Land Rover—who became chief creative officer in June 2024, Audi has once again set itself up for success. Proof of this is found in the gorgeous and engaging new Concept C, a surprisingly complete prototype that we just piloted around the Italian Dolomites.

An aesthetic tour de force, smartly incorporating Frascella’s stylistic ethos branded as “radical simplicity,” the Concept C certainly turns heads. The all-electric hardtop convertible, which will enter production in 2027, is both a much-needed halo car and a timely demonstrator of Audi’s potential to once again be a design leader.

We presume that, when available to consumers, it will comprise a sport version of the Volkswagen Group’s S.S.P. architecture. Rather than your typical E.V. skateboard platform, though, where the batteries reside beneath the occupants’ feet, the Concept C’s batteries are behind the seats, where a mid-engine power plant would normally be housed. This allows the rear-wheel-drive vehicle to achieve its low-slung athletic looks and proportions.

It’s easy to understand why Audi is tight-lipped about any specific stats when it comes to this prototype, because it is, after all, a concept. The final version will likely be approximately the same size and shape, but the power-train configuration could differ completely. (We think that the Concept C is actually a cut-down J1 platform, the same foundation of Audi’s e-tron GT and Porsche’s Taycan.)

We overheard one employee let slip that the Concept C’s single rear motor creates over 500 hp, which is easy to believe, as the car flies. E.V.s in general are quick, but that output, combined with instant electric torque in a relatively light vehicle (rumor has it under 4,000 pounds), equals straight-line good times. Of course, the trappings of electrification usually mean that quick comes easy; handling is hard. So imagine our delight then when we began turning the wheel and discovered this concept may be closer to a supercar (depending on how you define that word). Not enough power for you? There’s no doubt in our minds that the production version will have a second motor on the front axle and play in the four-digit horsepower sandbox, or be close enough that it makes no difference.

The superb handling—neutral and direct, with excellent body control and massive grip—should come as no surprise when you remember that this automobile could perhaps share the same platform as that of the future electric Porsche Boxster. And while a two-door Audi can be many things, a two-door Porsche can’t. The latter must be a sports car first and foremost, and so the Concept C bodes well for both. As for the rest of the competition, this electrified shot across the bow signals Audi’s intent to lead the charge.