Audi Nuvolari returns the brand to supercar territory with 736 kW hybrid power

A spiritual successor to the R8, but not a direct replacement

Nuvolari fills the gap left by the end of R8 production at Audi, but the new model is not being described as an R8 successor. That distinction matters. The R8 was very fast, but still a relatively broad-appeal supercar. Nuvolari moves into a higher, rarer and more expensive bracket, where every technical detail has to carry flagship status.

The comparison makes the step up obvious. The R8 V10 performance quattro developed 456 kW, accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and reached a top speed of 331 km/h. Nuvolari lifts system output to 736 kW, hits 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds, reaches 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds and clears the 350 km/h mark.

Lamborghini hardware, Audi character

Nuvolari’s powertrain is based on the same architecture used by the Lamborghini Temerario, a mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, three electric motors and an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. In Audi tune, the system delivers 736 kW, while the V8 itself produces 588 kW and 730 Nm and revs to 10,000 rpm. Each electric motor adds 110 kW, with two oil-cooled axial-flux motors at the front and the third positioned between the V8 and the gearbox.

The Audi’s position becomes especially interesting when compared with the Temerario. Lamborghini officially quotes 677 kW, 343 km/h and 2.7 seconds for 0 to 100 km/h. On paper, Audi pushes the same technical family further, with more power, a higher top speed and a quicker sprint.

Fastest Audi does not mean the sharpest 0 to 100 km/h figure

One important clarification, Nuvolari is Audi’s fastest series-production car by top speed, but not the brand’s quickest from 0 to 100 km/h. The RS e-tron GT performance does that run in 2.5 seconds, a tenth of a second quicker. The electric GT, however, tops out at 250 km/h, while Nuvolari runs beyond 350 km/h.

That highlights two different philosophies. The RS e-tron GT performance uses the instant shove of an electric drivetrain for maximum standing-start pace. Nuvolari combines electric front-axle drive, a high-revving V8 and active aerodynamics to deliver speed even where a conventional luxury electric GT runs into its electronic limiter.

Quattro becomes a predictive system

Nuvolari’s most interesting technical feature is not only power. With it, Audi introduces quattro predictive ride, a system that reads steering angle, acceleration, rotation around the vertical axis and tyre grip levels. The system distributes traction front to rear and side to side, uses the brakes to stabilise the car and alters aerodynamic downforce according to conditions.

This is no longer a classic good four-wheel-drive system, but a complete control package. The two front electric motors can perform direct torque vectoring, the combustion engine gives the rear axle its mechanical character, and software binds it all into one dynamic layer. That suits Audi better than simply building a Lamborghini with a different body, quattro has to be part of the car’s identity here, not just a drivetrain badge.

Carbon fibre and DRS bring an F1 feel to the road

Audi uses an Audi Space Frame structure with a carbon-fibre outer shell for Nuvolari. Almost all exterior panels are made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, a first for the brand’s series-production cars. Forged wheels with centre locks also appear in Audi production for the first time.

The active aerodynamics work in three modes. The rear wing can sit flush, take a lower-downforce position or rise into a high-downforce setting. On a straight, the driver can use DRS to reduce drag, while braking and cornering increase downforce. Audi says Nuvolari can generate more than 400 kg of aerodynamic downforce.

The brakes have to withstand 2.8 MW of load

The numbers become extreme at the braking system. Audi uses brake-by-wire control, which splits deceleration between regenerative energy recovery and hydraulic braking. In more everyday situations, the car can slow with up to 0.3 g using electric means alone, while under heavy load Audi Ceramic Pro brakes take over.

Up front are ten-piston callipers with 420 x 40 mm discs, while the rear uses four-piston callipers and 410 x 32 mm discs. Audi says the braking system can absorb up to 2.8 MW of energy, putting it in the same bracket as a modern Formula 1 car.

In Europe, Nuvolari is a statement car

Nuvolari will not move European car sales volumes in any meaningful way. The 499 cars will go quickly to the brand’s wealthiest customers and collectors. No official price has been announced, but some international media are talking about a figure of around €600,000. That should be treated as a forecast, not an Audi-confirmed price list.

Strategically, Nuvolari matters more than the sales total. Audi is preparing for its Formula 1 era, looking for a new design language and needs a model that does not speak only in terms of electric rationality. Nuvolari answers that forcefully, with a small battery, a big V8, three electric motors, more than 350 km/h and a clear message that hybrid tech can be emotional too, not just a rescue line for the CO2 spreadsheet.

Technical summary
Audi Nuvolari has a system output of 736 kW, with the V8 producing 588 kW and 730 Nm.
The hybrid drivetrain uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, three 110 kW electric motors and a 7.3 kWh battery.
0 to 100 km/h takes 2.6 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h takes 6.8 seconds, and top speed exceeds 350 km/h.
Active aerodynamics with DRS generate more than 400 kg of downforce.
Audi will limit production to 499 cars, with first deliveries due in the first half of 2027.