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Audi Nuvolari
Technical description:
Model: Nuvolari
Drive: Hybrid
Power: nearly 1000 HP
Body type: Coupe
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What's new
The Audi Nuvolari, a new plug-in hybrid supercar and successor to the R8, has been caught undergoing validation testing at the Nürburgring shortly after its reveal. The camouflaged car is already wearing production bodywork, and its low, mid-engined proportions are clear. A wedge-like shape, bluff nose and tall rear end give it a far more extreme stance than the R8 it follows.
At the rear, the prototype shows high-mounted central exhaust outlets, slim strip-style LED lights and an active spoiler that is raised in the spy pictures. The car was photographed through a fast left-hander, where its low roofline and favourable centre of gravity resulted in very little body roll. Wide-section tyres at both axles and all-wheel drive helped it hold speed on the circuit.
The Nuvolari name references Tazio Nuvolari, who raced for Auto Union in the 1930s. Audi positions the model as a halo car during a period of change under new leadership. This is not a concept car but a limited-run road model scheduled to start reaching customers in the first half of 2027.
Specifications and technology
Powertrain and structure
Under the skin, the Nuvolari draws on Audi’s aluminium spaceframe expertise, with that core structure clothed in carbon-fibre bodywork. Its mid-engined layout uses a twin-turbocharged V8 as part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Audi describes the car as a near-1,000bhp hybrid supercar, placing it well beyond the old R8 in engineering intent.
Much of the technology and the general technical layout is linked to the Lamborghini Temerario. Audi has also brought Rouven Mohr, Lamborghini’s former chief technical officer, into the role of head of new vehicle development. Speaking at the reveal, Mohr said the Nuvolari is Audi’s first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain and that it sets standards with its aerodynamics and the world’s first quattro predictive ride.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | plug-in hybrid, quattro |
| Power | near 1,000bhp |
| Structure | aluminium spaceframe, carbon-fibre skin |
| Aerodynamics | up to 400kg of downforce |
| Production | 499 units |
| Price | around £500,000 |
The body introduces Audi’s new design language for a road car, following the Concept C, but it also takes direct inspiration from the brand’s Formula One programme. Extra openings and vents help cool the V8 engine, while movable aero elements are designed to generate up to 400kg of downforce. The rear wing is fully retractable and can run in several modes, including a DRS setting to reduce drag.
Other details include a Boost button that gives access to full output regardless of the current driving mode and forged wheels with centre-lock fixings. The staggered wheels measure 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear, with reversed rear slats to feed air into the engine bay. The prototype colour is Titanium, already shown on the Concept C and Audi’s F1 racer.
Markets, prices and availability
Limited production and positioning
The Nuvolari will be limited to just 499 units, and its price should be around £500,000. That positioning means it plays a similar halo role to the R8 but is not a direct replacement. Audi is aiming higher on price and engineering, with rivals and reference points sitting in the supercar segment above the old R8.
- Ferrari
- McLaren
- Lamborghini, including the technical relationship with the Temerario
The car was revealed ahead of the 2026 Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, and first customer cars are due in the first half of 2027. Until now, Audi hid development by disguising the new-age supercar as a Lamborghini. These first post-reveal spy images therefore show the real production body shape beneath camouflage for the first time.
The Nürburgring prototype was running mismatched wheels, and the rear still showed unfinished trim and a makeshift exhaust system. The active rear spoiler appears functional, however, because it is raised while the car is travelling at speed in the pictures. Audi is expected to keep testing the car over the coming weeks and months as it prepares for the dynamic launch.
Verdict
The Nuvolari moves Audi’s flagship role from an R8 successor into a limited supercar with Lamborghini-linked hardware and a price aimed at a small group of buyers. The defining facts are near 1,000bhp, plug-in hybrid quattro drive, 499 units and first customer deliveries in the first half of 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Audi Nuvolari premiere?
The Audi Nuvolari was revealed ahead of the 2026 Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. In the CarsUpcoming calendar, it is listed for the 2026 season.
When will the Audi Nuvolari go on sale in the UK?
A UK on-sale date for the Audi Nuvolari has not been announced. Audi has only said that first customer cars are due in the first half of 2027.
How much will the Audi Nuvolari cost?
In the UK, the expected price for the Audi Nuvolari is around £500,000. The price has not been stated as a final confirmed figure.
Should I wait for the Audi Nuvolari or buy the current model now?
Waiting makes sense if you want the R8 successor with a plug-in hybrid quattro powertrain, a twin-turbo V8 and nearly 1000 HP. If you need a car sooner, the Nuvolari is not due to reach first customers until the first half of 2027 and production is limited to 499 units.
What power and drive does the Audi Nuvolari have?
The Audi Nuvolari uses a plug-in hybrid quattro drivetrain with a twin-turbocharged V8. Its output is described as nearly 1000 HP.
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