Audi Nuvolari
Plug-in hybrid sports car produced by Audi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Audi Nuvolari is a forthcoming mid-engine plug-in hybrid sports car to be manufactured by German automobile company, Audi. The Nuvolari is intended as Audi's fastest and most powerful production vehicle in its history.[1]
| Audi Nuvolari | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Audi |
| Production | Late 2026 (to commence) Limited 500 units |
| Designer | Massimo Frascella |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Lamborghini Temerario |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Electric motor | 3x axial-flux electric motors |
| Power output | 1,001 PS (736 kW; 987 hp) |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch transmission |
| Hybrid drivetrain | PHEV |
| Battery | 7.3kWh Li-ion |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Audi R8 |
Overview
Name origin
The name "Nuvolari" pays homage to Italian racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, winner of the 1932 AIACR European Championship[2] — whom Ferdinand Porsche called "the greatest driver of the past, the present, and the future".[3]
Design
The Nuvolari features four horizontally arranged lighting elements at both the front and rear. The rear window was omitted in favor of side-mounted air intakes. Its size and proportions have been compared to those of the R8 and several Lamborghini models.[4] The design language introduced by the Concept C was carried over to the Nuvolari.[5]
Features
All exterior grilles are constructed from aluminum, as are the interior controls, air vents, and door handles. A central touchscreen is accompanied by additional aluminum controls, while the instrument cluster features a circular display. Carbon-fiber panels behind the doors incorporate three air vents positioned in the upper, lower, and trailing sections, which supply air to the engine, cooling systems, and brakes, respectively. The door handles are integrated into these panels.[6]
The seats feature carbon-fiber bases and backrests.[7]
History
Development of the Nuvolari began in March 2025 and was completed in 14 months.[8]
On June 16, 2025, Audi's CEO Gernot Döllner announced that the company would reverse its plan to phase out the development of combustion-powered engines. The strategy, which had been announced in 2023, called for Audi to cease introducing new combustion-powered models after 2026 and discontinue production of combustion-powered engines by 2033.[9]
Audi unveiled the Nuvolari on June 4, 2026, describing it as the brand's first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain and its fastest and most powerful production vehicle to date.[10][11] On the same day, Audi announced that production would be limited to 500 units, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026.[10] [12]
Powertrain
The Nuvolari is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine made by Lamborghini and codenamed L411. The engine produces 800 PS (588 kW; 789 hp) and 730 N⋅m (538 lb⋅ft) of torque, and is paired with three electric motors, each producing 110 kW (148 hp). Combined system output is rated at 1,001 PS (736 kW; 987 hp). Energy is supplied by a 7.3 kWh lithium-ion battery.[8]
The two front-mounted electric motors each produce 2,150 N⋅m (1,586 lb⋅ft).[13] Compared with the Lamborghini Temerario, the Nuvolari produces 81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp) more system power. The V8 engine itself develops 11 PS (8.1 kW; 11 hp) more than the Temerario's version, while the electric motors retain the same power output. The engine has a redline of 10,000 rpm.[14]