What: Audi GT50 Concept
Model Family: N/A
Production: Concept (2025)
Assembly: Neckarsulm, Germany (in-house design project)
Class: Concept sports car / design study
Body style: 2-door coupe
Layout: Front-engine, all-wheel drive
Debuted: N/A
Year: 2025
Registration Plate(s): N/A
Number Produced: 1
Status: Audi Owned
Model / Generation Code(s): RS 3 / 8Y
Chassis / Matrix: MQB
Engine: 2.5 TFSI
Transmission: 7-Speed S tronic DSG
Drivetrain: quattro all-wheel drive Haldex-derived
Power output:
Torque:
Weight:
Acceleration (0-100 km / 62 mph:
Top Speed:
Length:
Exterior Paint Color: White
Wheels:
Tires:
RELATED
Concept Cars:
Road Cars: RS 3 Sedan (type 8Y)
Race Cars: 200 quattro Trans-Am, 90 quattro IMSA GTO
OVERVIEW
The Audi GT50 Concept is a one-off, intern-built design study created in 2025 as a tribute to 50 years of Audi’s five-cylinder engine heritage. Developed at Audi’s Neckarsulm site, the project reimagines the mechanical foundation of the Audi RS 3 within a purpose-built, motorsport-inspired body that draws heavily on Audi’s late-1980s racing history.
The GT50 is not a factory production prototype but a fully functional concept vehicle designed and constructed by Audi trainees, combining historical design cues with modern performance hardware.
DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION
The GT50 project began with a production RS 3 donor vehicle. Much of the original bodywork and interior were removed, allowing trainees to construct a new exterior and stripped-down cabin tailored to a track-focused concept. A custom roll cage was fabricated as part of the build, reinforcing the chassis and emphasizing the vehicle’s motorsport character.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the build was the integration of a roof section sourced from an older Audi 80 (likely from the B3 or B4 generation). The more angular greenhouse from the earlier sedan contrasted with the rounded roofline of the modern RS 3 and better matched the GT50’s squared-off body design. Adapting the older roof to the new proportions required extensive fabrication and was among the most technically demanding parts of the project.
Trainees described the fiberglass bodywork as one of the most challenging elements of the build. The exterior panels were molded and shaped specifically for the concept, resulting in a matte white, race-inspired form that differs significantly from the donor car’s original appearance.
DESIGN & MOTORSPORT INFLUENCE
The GT50’s design pays homage to Audi’s North American touring car programs of the late 1980s, particularly the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO and the Audi 200 quattro Trans-Am racers. Visual references include boxy, widened fenders, aggressive aerodynamic elements, and a large rear wing.
Additional race-inspired details include side-exit exhausts and a minimalist interior layout. The cockpit was stripped to essentials, with racing-style seating and safety equipment reinforcing the concept’s track-oriented theme.
POWERTRAIN & CHASSIS
Because the GT50 is based on the RS 3 donor platform, it retains the turbocharged inline-five engine that has become a signature of Audi performance models. The concept therefore remains mechanically linked to Audi’s long-standing five-cylinder tradition, which the project was designed to celebrate.
Audi did not release detailed performance figures for the GT50, as the vehicle serves primarily as a design and training exercise rather than a homologated production study. However, the use of the RS 3’s drivetrain ensures performance characteristics consistent with modern Audi RS models.
INTERIOR
The interior of the GT50 Concept was reconfigured for a race-inspired environment. Most production trim was removed, exposing structural elements and emphasizing lightweight construction. A custom-fabricated roll cage dominates the cabin, while racing-style seats and minimal controls underscore the car’s track-focused intent.
PUBLIC DEBUT
The finished GT50 Concept was unveiled at an internal Audi event in Neckarsulm attended by approximately 3,200 employees. The project received enthusiastic recognition within the company, with Audi leadership praising the trainees for their teamwork, craftsmanship, and creativity in delivering a technically ambitious concept.
SIGNIFICANCE
The Audi GT50 Concept represents a fusion of heritage and hands-on technical training. By combining the modern performance base of the RS 3 with design cues from Audi’s late-1980s racing icons and architectural elements from the Audi 80, the project bridges multiple eras of Audi history.
Although not intended for production, the GT50 stands as a symbolic tribute to Audi’s five-cylinder legacy and a demonstration of the skills and innovation of the brand’s next generation of engineers and designers.
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