The Audi Nuvolari is an ultra-exclusive, dressed-up Lamborghini Temerario with 1,001 horsepower

Remember Audi’s gorgeous Concept C that was revealed late last year? Many were suspecting this to be the upcoming R8 revival, while a few thought it mostly resembled the TT, both of which were discontinued, halo models. However, Audi has pulled off something a lot more grand, as this concept car was revealed to be the Nuvolari, an extremely limited, mid-engined supercar that costs a pretty penny.

Audi anoraks will know that this isn’t the first time that the Nuvolari name was used, as it was used in a 2003 concept car that set the tone for Audi design to come, and it also used a twin-turbo V10 that eventually made its way to other Volkswagen Group products (in other forms), like the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Audi R8 V10.

But this connection runs to Tazio Nuvolari, a legendary Italian racing driver back in the 1930s who had a stint with the Auto Union team running the early V12-powered monsters (also known as the Silver Arrows), which is relevant as the Audi team has returned to Formula 1 this year.

And within this vehicle’s futuristic body panels lies a lot of Formula 1-derived technologies and know-how. For one, while it may look like a sleek EV with lots of curvaceous lines and smooth surfaces, just a bit more fleshed-out proportions and more vents for cooling, versus the Concept C. This is also the first time that we see forged center-lock wheels from Audi in a production model.

It has a lot of active aerodynamics that aid with brake cooling and downforce in the adaptive rear wing with the drag reduction system (same as F1). The body panels are almost entirely made out of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), and this uses the Audi Space Frame technology to improve chassis rigidity and keep weight down.

Underneath, this shares a very familiar powertrain with its cousin, the Lamborghini Temerario. There’s an electrified 4.0-liter V8, twin-turbo engine mated to three electric motors and a lightweight 7.3kWh lithium-ion battery.

Total power output is a monstrous 1,001 horsepower, with the engine producing 800 horsepower and 730Nm, revving all the way up to 10,000rpm. It can do the 100kph sprint in 2.6 seconds, 200kph in 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of more than 350kph.

This also comes with the Quattro all-wheel drive system and the Quattro predictive ride system, using the electric motors, traction control systems, aerodynamics, and Formula 1-derived braking system with brake-by-wire and massive carbon ceramic brake discs to stabilize and improve handling—all adjustable via the four different drive modes.

Unlike Audi’s current offerings with their massive screens and ambient lighting, the interior goes in the opposite direction by minimizing the amount of distractions within the cabin, only having a driver-centric approach with a digital gauge cluster, a portrait touchscreen that’s mounted low, and dark-colored materials made from carbon fiber, anodized aluminum, and other luxurious materials.

With only 499 units to be made and production starting in the first half of 2027, this is set to be one of Audi’s most limited models it has ever produced, and we can expect the price tag to be astronomically high. But do you think Audi knocked it out of the park with its design, or is it another electrified oddity of the late 2020s?

^{Photos from Audi}