Limited edition Audi Nuvolari revealed

AUDI has unveiled its Nuvolari concept-inspired V8 hybrid super-coupe as a successor to the now legendary R8 supercar.

Due in showrooms early next year, the Audi Nuvolari will feature a high-output hybridised and twin-turbocharged V8 engine developing a physics defying 736kW (60kW more than the Lamborghini Temerario on which it is based), courtesy of a 588kW/730Nm petrol V8 – which revs to 10,000rpm – and three electric motors, each outputting 110kW.

Two of the electric motors of the Nuvolari drive the front axle while a third – placed between the midship V8 engine and automatic transmission – drives the rear, making the model the first all-wheel drive Audi road car without a mechanical connection between the front and rear wheels. Battery capacity is double that of the Lamborghini at 7.3kWh.

The arrangement is described by Audi as ‘quattro predictive ride’, utilising wheel speed sensors, steering angle, and other inputs to determine how much drive is sent fore or aft.

Developed in just 14 months to closely resemble Audi’s Concept C electric sports car, the Nuvolari is named for Auto Union racer Tazio Nuvolari (1892-1953) and is said to offer a 0-100km/h time of just 2.6 seconds, a 0-200km/h time of 6.8 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 350km/h.

The model is claimed to be the fastest and most powerful production model in Audi’s 116-year history.

The Nuvolari is built around an aluminium and carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) space frame, taking learnings from Audi’s time in Formula 1. The vehicle’s tare weight has not been announced, though is expected to be close to that of the Temerario at 1690kg.

Other highlights include forged centre-lock wheels, 420mm carbon-ceramic brakes – with massive 10 piston callipers up front – F1-inspired aerodynamics, an adaptive rear spoiler, multiple driving modes, and even a selectable F1-style drag reduction system.

To more closely link the Nuvolari with its Auto Union roots, the vehicle is finished in a Titanium hue and with cabin flourishes drawn from the brand’s Type C race cars of the 1930s. These high-quality finishes join a combined screen-and-button cockpit Audi says will pave the way for A and Q series models in the future.

“In times of fundamental change, we are making bold and strategic decisions,” said Audi CEO Gernot Dollner.

“The Nuvolari brings pure emotion and performance to the road. It also reveals how we are taking Vorsprung durch Technik into a new era.

“With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress – it shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork.”

Just 499 examples of the Audi Nuvolari will be produced, with no indication on whether the model will be made available in right-hand drive.