AUTOMOTIVE AUGURY
Recent concept car debuts by Audi & Bentley provide a glimpse into the future of motoring. Edited by Matthew Cottrell / Photos courtesy of Audi and Bentley This past September in Milan, Audi unveiled its Concept C, an all-electric, athletic, and minimalist two-seat sports car intended to embody the brand's new design philosophy. Precise purity of form is expressed via a vertical frame that forms the center of the new front and from which the entire structural volume of the vehicle develops. Discernible design cues borrowed from both the Auto Union Type C (1936) and the Audi A6 (2004) lend a feeling of familiarity and nod to legacy. With a central-battery layout, the cabin extends far back and sits firmly on the body. An electrically retractable hardtop—a first for an Audi roadster—is comprised of two elements that retain the concept's monolithic appearance. A new light signature is made of four horizontally arranged elements in each headlight and rear light, serving to define Audi's visual identity both day and night. The interior continues the theme of architectural surfaces and clear geometric forms with physical controls manufactured from anodized aluminum, providing a tactile representation of their quality craftsmanship. The tone-on-tone color palette pulls from the "Titanium" exterior. At the same time, ambient lighting and natural materials create a refined and elevated cabin. 44 slmag.net
Technology is seamlessly integrated into the operating experience, most notably through a 10.4-inch foldable center display that provides users with relevant information in an intuitive and tailored way, adapting to every situation. "Radical simplicity is at the heart of our approach. We achieve clarity by reducing everything to the essential," said Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella at the launch event. For Frascella, this approach is about what makes a car desirable beyond rational experience: "We want to shape a brand capable of inspiring desire and creating cultural impact." By the end of this year, Audi will have introduced more than 20 new models within 24 months, making its portfolio the youngest in the premium segment. The presentation of their latest design philosophy in Milan represents a new beginning. Just a few weeks after the unveiling of the Concept C, Audi announced its foray into Formula 1, providing an opportunity to test new technologies, materials, and processes in the world's toughest technology laboratory. "The phase of taking stock is over. Now is the time to look to the future and pick up speed. We are focusing on what really matters to set standards in design and quality," said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner.