Audi’s new electric sports car to use Porsche Cayman technology
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Porsche has confirmed that Audi’s next electric sports car will use the platform developed for the new 718 Cayman and Boxster. The production model derived from the Audi Concept C will reach the market in 2027, combining Porsche sports car technology with Audi’s new design language. The collaboration will help reduce development costs at a time when the commercial future of electric sports cars remains uncertain.
Porsche sells its electric platform to Audi
Porsche chief financial officer Jochen Breckner confirmed during the company’s third-quarter results presentation that Audi is developing a project called C-Sport on Porsche’s electric 718 platform.
According to Motor1, the shared architecture allows the companies to share the development costs of batteries, electric drive systems and chassis structures. At the same time, both manufacturers can give their cars distinct handling and driving characteristics.
Porsche will retain the Cayman’s coupé body style and the Boxster’s roadster format. Audi, by contrast, will adopt a targa-style design with an electrically opening hardtop made up of two panels.
Concept C combines the heritage of the TT and R8
Audi unveiled the Concept C in September 2025. The two-seat electric sports car introduced the brand’s new minimalist design language, centred on an upright front end, simple body surfaces and four-part lighting signatures.
The Concept C is not a direct successor to either the TT or the R8, but it fills the gap left in Audi’s line-up by their departure.
The concept car uses a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle. The platform allows a second motor to be added at the front axle, opening up the possibility of an all-wheel-drive quattro version. Audi has yet to confirm the production model’s powertrain options.
The electric Cayman must retain the character of a mid-engined sports car
Porsche’s biggest technical challenge is to preserve the handling characteristics of the 718 family. The mid-engined layout of the outgoing Cayman and Boxster offered favourable weight distribution and a low moment of inertia.
In the electric 718 models, Porsche will position the battery modules in a way that mimics the weight distribution of a mid-engined sports car. This differs from conventional electric cars, in which a large battery pack covers almost the entire floor.
The same solution allows Audi to build an electric car with a low centre of gravity and a sporty seating position.
Final power output, battery capacity, weight and range are not yet known.
Collaboration reduces risks for both manufacturers
Porsche ended production of the combustion-engined 718 models in 2025. Development of their electric successors has been delayed, and the company has had to adjust its electrification strategy.
Bringing Audi into the project helps spread costs across a larger production volume. Porsche gains additional revenue from the use of its platform, while Audi avoids having to develop an entirely new sports car architecture on its own.
The collaboration is also important for the European automotive industry. The market for electric sports cars remains small, and developing such models requires substantial investment that is difficult to recoup with limited sales volumes.
Audi plans to produce the new electric sports car at its Böllinger Höfe plant in Neckarsulm from 2027. The same plant previously built the Audi R8.
For Audi, however, the biggest question is not where the platform comes from, but whether the new electric sports car can offer as much driving enjoyment as the former TT and R8. Porsche’s technology provides a strong foundation, but weight, steering feel and chassis tuning will determine the final result.
