Audi Almost Built An EV Supercar Like Ferrari, But Decided To Build This 1001 HP V8 Hybrid Monster Instead

It’s been an interesting few weeks in automotive design, to say the least. Things started out on a bright note with the elegant and promising BMW Vision Alpina concept, launched on the shores of Lake Como on May 15. Five days later came the massive launch party of the new four-door AMG GT, which set the automotive online community ablaze–but not in a good way. The car was widely panned as too brutal, too ostentatious — and, implicitly, too electric.

But the online discussion surrounding the AMG GT was nothing against the Ferrari Luce, another five days later. Rarely has a car been subjected to such criticism and ridicule; executives and other designers weighed in, the discussion went far beyond automotive circles. Now there’s another European supercar — and this one, I predict, will leave the community a lot happier.

I am talking about the Audi Nuvolari, a mid-engined supercar that has long progressed beyond the prototype stage. In fact, what we are seeing now is set to be built from late 2026 onwards, with exactly 499 deliveries beginning early next year.

A Brutalist, But Still Cool Looking Mid-Engine Supercar

The Nuvolari exudes a clear classic mid-engine look — an almost monolithic presence; brutalist, even. The front is dominated by a vertical grille featuring slats that are nearly horizontal at the bottom and become progressively steeper towards the top. Left and right, there are four horizontally arranged lighting elements under one cover, mirrored by the rear light signature. It looks a lot like on the Concept C, but lower and wider.

The side view is defined by a vertical intake that sucks the air in “venturi-style,”  as an engineer tells us (while cautioning it is not exactly the correct term). The blade is finished in a contrasting color in the tradition of the classic R8. Instead of a rear window, there are metallic air intakes. And there’s a large central exhaust between the taillights, and the panel beneath them it is machined from a single piece of metal.

The Nuvolari’s size and proportions connect it both to the Audi R8 and the current Lamborghini lineup, and in fact it is technologically related to the Lamborghini Temerario. However, it is positioned well above the Temerario and far above the former Audi R8 — and Audi says there won’t be any derivatives or variants once the 499 units of the Nuvolari are delivered.

A Lamborghini Heart, Insane Performance Numbers

Indeed, the Nuvolari will come in exactly one specification: It is a plug-in hybrid with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, complemented by three axial-flux E-motors. The power is channeled through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, and the specs eclipse those of the Temerario: System output is a combined 1001 horsepower – not just more than the Lambo’s 920 hp but right on par with the classic Bugatti Veyron. Top speed exceeds 350 km/h (217 mph); acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 2.6 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (125 mph) a mere 6.8 seconds. The bodywork is made entirely from carbon-fiber composite on an aluminum space frame.

The Nuvolari will be partially assembled at Lamborghini; differences include not just a higher power output but also a revised braking system and an Audi-exclusive technology called quattro predictive ride, which rapidly anticipates road conditions and driver input.

The car rides on Bridgestone Potenza Race tires measuring 255/35 ZR 20 at the front and 325/30 ZR 21 at the rear. Only one wheel design is offered, representing a compromise between maximum airflow and futuristic appearance. Color choices are almost limitless, extending to a finely woven, high-gloss carbon-fiber finish.

The interior, like the Concept C, expresses retro-futuristic themes, with a horizontal architecture, geometric forms, and a top-level combination of material quality and functionality. The personalization options are near limitless, including microfiber, suede and leather of every conceivable color.

The Nuvolari Could Have Been An EV

In June 2024, Massimo Fraschella joined Audi at a difficult time for the brand. The product portfolio was dominated by cars designed and developed in the Marc Lichte era under adverse circumstances: Technological problems, mostly connected to electronics, had delayed several cars by years, and they looked dated by the time they reached the market. In fact, it is an ongoing situation; the new Q7 and Q9, in which Fraschella’s input is largely restricted to color and trim choices, look positively dated.

It was necessary to make a statement of optimism and futuristic appeal. The first step was the Concept C, launched last September to extremely positive reviews. However, it will take a while to come to market–and its fully electric powertrain, closely related to the upcoming Porsche 718, frankly leaves many enthusiasts cold.

At the end of 2024, fewer than ten designers and executives came together to discuss a halo-car project, defining “sportiness of the future.” An SUV was out of the question, but three proposals were discussed:

1. a more affordable sports car intended for higher production volumes
2. a pure battery-electric supercar
3. the concept that was ultimately selected, a V8 PHEV supercar

A glance at the BEV supercar market tells us that the executive group has made exactly the right call. Fraschella did not delegate the project; it was designed hands-on and can be seen as an almost prototypical expression of his own design philosophy. The overall theme was established quickly, followed by meticulous refinement of every detail. The team was expanded to around 30 employees who led the Nuvolari to production in absolute secrecy.

In fact, what we are seeing is not an early prototype; the Nuvolari is close to being production ready. The order books are set to open in late 2026, with deliveries beginning in early 2027. This means it will reach the market even before the production version of the Concept C, which is conceived as a purely electric sports car. Priced around 600K euros, Audi very much intends to make a profit with the Nuvolari.

The Nuvolar Is Not The Next R8

The Nuvolari is named after Tazio Nuvolari (1892-1953), one of the greatest race drivers of all time, with a distinct history with Auto Union in the late 1930s, for whom he piloted the Type D Silver Arrow. There is another concept car in Audi’s history named after him: The 2003 Audi Nuvolari, designed by Walter de’Silva as a predecessor of the A5. But there is no confusing that elegant coupe with today’s supercar.

Audi is clear that the Nuvolari is not a successor of the R8 (though they won’t rule out that such a car might come). This is despite the fact that just like the Nuvolari is based on the Temerario, the two generations of the R8 shared their platform with the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracán.

Remember Audi R8’s many iterations? Spun off the Frank-Lamberty-designed Le Mans quattro concept, it was offered with a 4.2-liter V-8 and a 5.2-liter V-10, with a six-speed manual, a six-speed automated manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; there were rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, Audi built a few pure electrics, and a V12 TDI prototype was publicly shown. We also know of a V8 TDI that never saw the public light. And of course, there were two bodies: Coupe and Spyder.

Even the corresponding Lambo models, the Gallardo and the Huracán, were offered with several body variations and in different – always V-10-based – power levels, not to mention the recent Sterrato crossover.

The Audi Nuvolari, on the other hand, remains a single-version V8 PHEV with a fixed top, and because it is intended to be a halo car for the entire Audi brand, the “Audi Sport” moniker won’t appear on the car – even though it is very much a baby of Audi’s performance division in Neckarsulm, where it will also partially be assembled.

If This Is Audi’s Future, I’m Excited For It

This project is intended to establish the “Radical Next” design language from the top down, to strengthen enthusiasts’ connection to the brand, and open the gates wide open to Audi’s design future. It has incredible visual appeal where the aesthetics of Audi’s Formula One models are largely dictated by regulation and aerodynamics.

And it declares that a new era has begun, even if current launches such as the Q7 and Q9 still reflect the yesterday’s design language. It shows – in contrast to, perhaps, AMG and Ferrari – that supercars can be exciting and beautiful without being overly aggressive and oversized. And it makes another, most welcome (and, at this point, obvious) point: The future of sports cars is not exclusively electric.

All Images: Audi