Will This New 987-Hp, Formula-One-Inspired Audi Supercar Be Wild Enough to Chew on Ferraris?

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Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

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Sleek silver Audi sports car parked on a grassy field with a blue sky and hills in the background.

Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

MSRP

$500,000

est

By Austin Parsons

Overview

Since the Audi R8 was axed following the 2023 model year, all has remained quiet on the supercar front for the four-ring brand. That is set to change soon, with a new ultra-exclusive, 200-plus-mile-per-hour brute on the horizon. Audi is calling it the Nuvolari, named after Tazio Nuvolari, the notoriously fearless Italian racing driver of the 1930s, which hints at its influences and fundamental philosophy.

As with the R8, the new race-inspired halo car will stick with the past practice of borrowing its underpinnings from Lamborghini. The Nuvolari is expected to use a version of the Temerario’s all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid V-8 powertrain, which should make up to 987 horsepower and—who knows?—maybe more. With Audi's recent entry into Formula 1, some technology from the pinnacle of motorsport might also bleed into the Nuvolari's DNA, which is said to feature active aerodynamics, a carbon-fiber body structure, and an energy deployment system that Nico Hulkenberg would be familiar with using.

Expert Tip: The Audi Nuvolari will be available in extremely limited quantities, meaning that most interested buyers won't get a chance to see one, let alone buy one. For those folks, the Lamborghini Temerario will likely prove to be more easily attainable while still providing similar performance.

What's New for 2028?

The Nuvolari is a clean-sheet design from Audi, succeeding the R8 as the company's pinnacle supercar offering.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Hybrid Powertrain: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with three electric motors, 987 horsepower combined
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

Like the first- and second-generation R8s, which borrowed underpinnings from the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracán, respectively, the Nuvolari shares its powertrain with Lamborghini’s entry-level Temerario supercar. It will feature a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 gas engine augmented by three axial-flux electric motors to churn out a combined output of 987 horsepower—80 more than the Lambo.

In addition to its gargantuan power output, the Nuvolari features several Formula 1-inspired technologies to make it a serious threat on a racetrack. The prototype was even tuned by Audi's current F1 drivers. An active front wing and rear splitter automatically adjust to different conditions, altering downforce, drag, and aerodynamic balance in response to driving conditions. Its all-wheel-drive system is also extremely advanced, employing a new Quattro predictive ride setup that uses sensors to proactively adjust torque delivery to each wheel for optimal grip. We drove a prototype of the Nuvolari and found it to be eager and engaging from behind the wheel, with a wide range of personalities depending on which driving mode you select.

0–60-MPH Times

Claimed 60-mph Time: 2.6 seconds

In Comparison: If Audi's estimate is accurate, the Nuvolari would trail both the Lamborghini Temerario and Ferrari 296GTB in a sprint to 60 mph by 0.2 seconds. We think it could be quicker than Audi's letting on.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The Nuvolari’s minimalist cockpit is pleasing to the eye and easy to use. There’s not much adornment, but the materials are upscale and the buttons have a satisfying click. There’s a pushbutton shifter for selecting gears, and you engage drive by clicking the steering-wheel shift paddles.

Cargo Capacity: There’s no trunk, but there’s a storage area behind the front seats with a shelf for luggage. Audi plans to offer fitted luggage that is tailor-made for the shelf.

As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Infotainment and Connectivity
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
C/D Test Results and Specs

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