Audi revives the spirit of the R8 with the Nuvolari, a limited-run hybrid supercar that defies the all-EV trend. Pairing a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with three axial flux electric motors, it delivers 1001HP and over 2,800Nm of torque. F1-derived aerodynamics, a carbon exterior and minimalist, driver-focused cabin mark a bold new era for the brand.
The first time I sat in the driver’s seat of an Audi supercar was in 2006. The sleek silver R8 with the sonorous 4.2-litre V8 engine and sequential transmission had felt blindingly fast on the roads of Muscat, Oman, where I had driven it. A few years later I found myself thanking the gods again when I drove the R8 with the more powerful 5.2-litre V10. The last of the glorious R8s rolled off the assembly line in Ingolstadt in March 2024. I was sad. In the wake of the EV onslaught, I never thought Audi would make another supercar like the R8 and even if they did it would be a battery-powered silhouette that would whoosh by in a flash of semi-silence. I was so wrong!
What German carmaker has revealed instead is a glorious new supercar named the Nuvolari (we’ll come back to that name in a bit) powered by a – hold your breath – 4-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine! Of course, in keeping with the times it will live in, the Nuvolari also features three axial flux electric motors adding 201HP to the V8’s 800, making it a 1001HP fire-breathing monster. While the V8 churns out 730Nm of peak torque at an astonishing 10,000rpm, two e-motors on the front axle can deliver up to 2,150Nm, making for a combined peak torque of more than 2,800Nm. Small surprise then than 0-100kmph is shattered in 2.6 seconds and 200kmph comes and goes in 6.8 seconds as the super sleek Nuvolari rushes to its 350kmph top speed.
“With the Audi Nuvolari, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication,” says Rouven Mohr, CTO of Audi. “This is reflected not only in the vehicle’s performance and its Formula 1-inspired technologies, but also in the ability to transfer innovations quickly and precisely into a production vehicle.”
As the first production vehicle that follows Audi’s new design philosophy, the Nuvolari, which is limited to a production run of 499 units, will combine the high-performance character of a supercar with a distinctive design. Taut surfaces, seamlessly integrated technology, and intelligent aerodynamics define its appearance.
Audi has combined the tried and tested and well-known Audi Space Frame with a carbon exterior, which is an Audi first, to offer the lightest possible weight with highest possible torsional rigidity. What is significant is that Audi, which has only recently entered the world of F1, has already used some of the technology it uses in the sport to create the carbon exterior.
But thas not the only place where the company has relied on F1 expertise. The active aerodynamics of the car also come from the world of F1. The system adjusts downforce, drag, and aerodynamic balance in response to driving conditions — ensuring maximum stability and precise vehicle control. Each exterior element serves a clearly defined aerodynamic function, from the front splitter to the rear diffuser. Front air intakes ensure effective brake cooling as well as efficient thermal management of the combustion engine and hybrid components. A vented front end, known as an S-duct, improves aerodynamic efficiency at the front axle — delivering additional downforce, reducing lift at high speeds, and improving cooling of the powertrain.
The central element of the active aerodynamic system is the deployable adaptive rear wing. It controls downforce and drag across three configurations: Closed, Low Downforce (LD), and High Downforce (HD).
In the Closed position, the rear wing is retracted to minimize drag and improve efficiency. In LD and HD configurations, different levels of downforce are generated depending on driving dynamics and the selected driving mode.
In performance-oriented modes such as Dynamic, Dynamic+, and Track, the rear wing operates fully automatically. On straights, the system shifts to the LD position to optimize top speed and stability. The Drag Reduction System (DRS), familiar from Formula 1, can be activated manually via a dedicated steering-wheel button to further lower the wing, reducing drag and increasing top speed.
Under braking and in corners, the wing moves to the HD position to optimize downforce for maximum performance and control. In this high-downforce configuration, the aerodynamic concept of the Audi Nuvolari1 — depending on the driving situation — delivers more than 400 kg of downforce.
The rear wing position can be controlled both automatically and manually via a rotary control on the steering wheel — in all driving modes except E-Hybrid.
The aerodynamics concept has been refined down to the smallest detail — including the solid-metal Audi rings integrated flush into the deployable rear wing — and forms the basis for high cornering speeds and fast lap times on the racetrack.
The Nuvolari’s cabin reveals a minimalist approach resulting in a reduced architecture. All controls for all essential functions are placed in front of the driver’s line of vision. Digital displays and physical controls follow a consistent logic, enabling natural interaction. Precision and craftsmanship define the entire interior — from controls and air vents to the frame of the central display, crafted from anodized aluminium.
Lightweight seats complement the driver-oriented interior concept. The carbon fiber structure in the seat base and backrest reduces weight while providing high rigidity and precise lateral support. The ergonomic design promotes a natural seating position and enables direct feedback from both vehicle and road. What is also interesting is that the colour accents used in what Audi is calling the Human Machine Interface (HMI), are inspired by the colours of the Auto Union Type C race car of the 1930s, which is an integral part of the Audi legacy.
This newest and exciting Audi supercar is named after one of motorsport’s greatest legends – Italian driver Tazio Nuvolari. Tazio raced motorcycles before racing cars back in the 1930s and was known to be quite a bold and unusual racer. A daredevil, he had once crossed the finish line with a steering wheel held high above his head, after it had come off.
A fitting name for a vehicle that signals a bold new era for Audi. Deliveries of the 499 Audi Nuvolaris to be made will start in early 2027.