Audi has officially revealed the Nuvolari, its first supercar featuring a high-performance hybrid powertrain and the most powerful production vehicle in the brand’s history. Named after the legendary Italian racer Tazio Nuvolari, the limited-edition model – just 499 units globally – serves as a bold statement of Audi’s renewed focus on emotion, performance, and innovation following the discontinuation of the R8.
At the heart of the Nuvolari is a plug-in hybrid system combining a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with three axial-flux electric motors. The combustion engine alone delivers around 588kW and revs to an exhilarating 10 000 rpm, while the electric motors contribute additional power for a total system output of 736kW. This setup propels the carbon-bodied supercar from 0 – 100km/h in just 2.6 seconds and on to a top speed exceeding 350km/h. A compact 7.3 kWh battery supports short electric-only driving stints. And by short we mean a handful.
Advanced engineering shines through with the quattro all-wheel-drive system enhanced by front-axle electric motors delivering massive torque (up to 2 150 Nm), active aerodynamics, and a lightweight carbon fibre structure. The design introduces Audi’s new philosophy; sharp, emotional lines that blend futuristic aggression with clarity and control in the interior, prioritising driver experience.
Priced around €600,000 (roughly R11.3 million), the Nuvolari is positioned as an ultra-exclusive halo car developed with input from motorsport expertise, including Formula 1 collaboration. It builds on shared architecture with Lamborghini’s Temerario but asserts a distinct Audi identity.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner emphasised the car’s significance: “The Audi Nuvolari is a physical manifestation of Audi’s technological renewal.” He added that it “brings pure emotion and performance to the road” and “reveals how we are taking ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ into a new era,” accelerating progress across development and innovation.
The Nuvolari not only fills the void left by the R8 but signals Audi’s commitment to high-performance hybrids alongside its broader electrification strategy. As previously stated, production will be highly exclusive, targeting enthusiasts who crave visceral driving thrills wrapped in cutting-edge technology. This supercar is more than a machine. It’s a declaration of Audi’s accelerating momentum.
