Audi has unveiled its most ambitious car yet: the Nuvolari, a limited-run 987bhp V8 hybrid supercar that serves as both the spiritual successor to the R8 and a bold statement of intent for the brand's future.
The mid-engined flagship is the fastest and most powerful production car Audi has ever built. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 aided by three electric motors, the Nuvolari features Formula 1-inspired technology including active aerodynamics, a carbon fibre body and a torque-vectoring four-wheel drive system.
Limited to 499 units and due to arrive in early 2027, the Nuvolari is the first production car to showcase Audi's new design language, first previewed by last year's Concept C roadster.
The powertrain is based around the same 4.0-litre V8 used in the Lamborghini Temerario, which on its own produces 789bhp and can rev up to 10,000rpm. That is supplemented by three axial flux electric motors, each producing 148bhp. Two oil-cooled motors sit on the front axle, delivering up to 1,586lb ft of torque, while a third is mounted between the V8 and the transmission.
Total system output reaches 987bhp - notably 80bhp more than the Temerario, despite sharing identical hardware. The increase comes from a bespoke torque map, unique software and a larger 7.3kWh battery compared to the Lamborghini's 3.8kWh unit.
Audi CEO Gernot Doellner described the Nuvolari as "a statement for the future" of the brand, adding that it "brings together outstanding design and a new speed of innovation with a lot of technical content."
The car was developed in just 14 months after receiving the green light in March 2025, timed to coincide with Audi's first season competing in Formula 1. Technical boss Rouven Mohr, who joined from Lamborghini where he oversaw Temerario development, said the Nuvolari was created by a "cross-brand team" involving engineers from Audi, its F1 operation and Lamborghini.
Rather than reviving the R8 nameplate, Audi has chosen to honour Tazio Nuvolari, one of the most successful pre-war grand prix drivers who later raced for Auto Union - Audi's predecessor. The move signals a departure from Audi's traditional alphanumeric naming convention.
The Nuvolari sits above the discontinued R8 in both pricing and positioning, serving as the flagship of Audi's new-era lineup. While specific pricing has not been confirmed, industry estimates place it well above the GBP 200,000 mark given its limited production run and exotic specification.
Source: Autocar
