Audi Nuvolari (2027)

What: Audi Nuvolari
Era: Audi modern era
Model Family:
Market / Zone(s): Global
Debuted: Stand Alone Event During 2026 F1 Grand Prix de Monaco
Model Year: 2027
Production Run: 499
Model / Generation Code(s):
Chassis / Matrix:

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Body Style(s): 2-Door Coupé
Drivetrain Configuration: longitudinal mid-engine hybrid, all-wheel drive
Engine(s): 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
Electric Motor(s): Three axial-flux electric motors, One motor positioned between the V8 engine and transmission
Total Power Output: 736 kW (1,001 PS)
Horsepower: 588 kW (800 hp)
Torque: 
Electric Power: 130 kW (177 PS)
Battery Capacity: 7.3 kWh
Charging Capacity:
Electric Range: 
Acceleration (0–100 km / 62 mph): 2.6 seconds
Transmission(s): 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT)
All-Wheel Drive Type: quattro all-wheel drive with quattro predictive ride
Steering: 
Steering Ratio:
Front Brake Diameter:
Rear Brake Diameter:
Wheelbase:
Length:
Width:
Height:
Curb Weight:

OTHER DETAILS

Predecessor: Audi R8 (Mk2, type 4S)
Successor: N/A
Platform Mates: Lamborghini Temerario
Concept Cars: 
Assembly Location(s): 
Designer(s):
Motorsport Homologations:

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TECHNICAL DETAILS

quattro Predictive Ride

The Audi Nuvolari introduces quattro predictive ride, a new all-wheel-drive control system that integrates powertrain, braking, torque distribution and aerodynamics.

Using steering angle, acceleration, yaw rate and grip-level data, the system anticipates potential traction loss and proactively adjusts vehicle systems to maintain stability and performance.

Four primary driving modes are available:

• E-Hybrid
• Balanced
• Dynamic
• Dynamic+

Track Mode provides additional traction-control settings ranging from Wet to Dry and Race to Traction Control Off.

Active Aerodynamics

The Nuvolari features a fully active aerodynamic package designed to balance downforce and drag according to driving conditions.

Key elements include:

• Front splitter
• Rear diffuser
• S-duct front airflow system
• Deployable adaptive rear wing
• Formula 1-inspired Drag Reduction System (DRS)

The rear wing operates in three configurations:

• Closed
• Low Downforce (LD)
• High Downforce (HD)

In high-downforce configuration, the vehicle can generate more than 400 kilograms of downforce depending on driving conditions.

Audi Space Frame with Carbon Exterior

The Nuvolari is the first Audi to combine Audi Space Frame construction with a carbon-fiber exterior.

Most exterior panels are manufactured from carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) using prepreg autoclave technology developed with Formula 1 expertise.

The vehicle also introduces forged center-lock wheels to Audi’s production-car lineup.

Hybrid Energy Management

The high-performance hybrid system integrates power delivery, torque distribution and energy recovery.

Features include:

• Electric deceleration of up to 0.3 g
• Adaptive coasting recuperation
• Brake energy recovery
• Formula 1-inspired Launch Control

Braking System

The Nuvolari is equipped with the Audi Ceramic Pro braking system featuring:

Front:

• 420 x 40 mm discs
• Ten-piston fixed calipers

Rear:

• 410 x 32 mm discs
• Four-piston calipers

The brake-by-wire system integrates hydraulic braking with regenerative braking and is capable of absorbing up to 2.8 megawatts of energy during deceleration.

Interior

The interior follows a driver-focused architecture with controls positioned directly within the driver’s field of view.

Features include:

• Reduced HMI layout
• Physical and digital controls with consistent operating logic
• Lightweight carbon-fiber seats
• Anodized aluminum display frame
• Shadow Dune rear cabin color treatment

Interior color accents reference the historic Auto Union Type C race car.

DESIGN

The Audi Nuvolari is the first production model to fully express Audi’s new design philosophy, described internally as “The Radical Next.”

Design characteristics include:

• Taut surfaces
• Precise lines
• Monolithic proportions
• Mid-engine architecture
• Vertical Frame front design language
• Seamlessly integrated aerodynamic elements

The launch vehicle was finished in Titanium, a color also used on the Audi Concept C and Audi’s Formula 1 race car.

NAME

The Nuvolari is named after Italian racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, one of the most prominent figures in motorsport history. Audi describes the vehicle as reflecting his fearlessness, ingenuity, dedication and determination.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Audi Nuvolari serves as Audi’s technological flagship and is intended to demonstrate the transfer of Formula 1-inspired technologies into a production vehicle. Audi identifies the vehicle’s key innovations as:

• High-performance hybrid powertrain
• quattro predictive ride
• Active aerodynamics
• Audi Space Frame with carbon exterior

The model is also the first Audi supercar and the first production vehicle to fully embody the company’s latest design philosophy.

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PHOTO GALLERY

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PRESS RELEASES

Audi presents its first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain

[source: Audi AG]

• The Audi Nuvolari will be the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in the brand’s history.
• Audi CEO Gernot Döllner: “With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress, focusing on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork.” 
• Audi CTO Rouven Mohr: “Formula 1 is a key impulse to bring innovations to the road quickly and with precision.” 

With the Nuvolari, Audi is unveiling its first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain — further accelerating technological progress. With 1,001 PS and a top speed of more than 350 km/h, the Nuvolari is set to become the most powerful vehicle and the fastest production vehicle in the history of the four rings. Deliveries of the supercar, limited to 499 units, will begin in the first half of 2027.

The Audi Nuvolari¹ accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds¹ and reaches 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds¹. These figures are enabled by a range of innovations inspired by Formula 1, including the high-performance hybrid powertrain, quattro predictive ride, active aerodynamics, and the new Audi Space Frame (ASF) with carbon exterior.

“With the Audi Nuvolari¹, we are accelerating technological progress,” says Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “It shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork — and when we achieve progress together.”

Design at its most visceral

As the first production vehicle that follows Audi’s new design philosophy, the Nuvolari¹ will combine the high-performance character of a supercar with a distinctive design. Taut surfaces, seamlessly integrated technology, and intelligent aerodynamics define its appearance. 

The mid‑engine layout defines the proportions, resulting in a monolithic volume, a powerful stance, and a strong presence. 

The exterior is characterized by Audi’s new signature color Titanium, a paint also used on the Audi Concept C and the Audi Formula 1 race car. In combination with carbon elements, it highlights the precise lines of the Nuvolari¹.

High-performance hybrid powertrain with four drive units

The Audi Nuvolari¹ is powered by a hybrid high-performance powertrain with a maximum system output of 736 kW (1,001 PS). It combines a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine delivering 588 kW (800 hp) with three axial flux electric motors, each producing 110 kW. The lithium-ion battery has a gross capacity of 7.3 kWh. 

The combustion engine delivers a maximum torque of 730 Nm and reaches up to 10,000 rpm — a range previously reserved for motorsports. 

Two oil-cooled axial flux electric motors at the front axle deliver up to 2,150 Nm of torque. As an integral part of the quattro system, they support variable torque distribution. A third electric motor between the V8 mid-engine and the transmission completes the drive concept. 

The high-performance drivetrain accelerates the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds¹ and from 0 to 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds¹, reaching a top speed of more than 350 km/h. 

“With the Audi Nuvolari¹, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication,” says Rouven Mohr, CTO of Audi. “This is reflected not only in the vehicle’s performance and its Formula 1-inspired technologies, but also in the ability to transfer innovations quickly and precisely into a production vehicle.”

The quattro predictive ride

The quattro drive is one of Audi’s defining innovations and stands for traction, control, and driving dynamics in all conditions. In the Nuvolari¹, Audi further develops this principle and defines the next generation of all-wheel drive with the quattro predictive ride. 

The system processes the current driving state based on a highly precise vehicle state model. Detailed sensor data — including steering angle, acceleration, yaw rate (rotation of the vehicle around its vertical axis, which determines steering response in corners), and current grip level — continuously feed into the control system. 

If the system anticipates a potential loss of grip in a corner, it responds proactively as an integrated system. 

The drive units distribute torque precisely in both longitudinal and lateral directions. The brakes stabilize the vehicle through targeted interventions and reduce slip. The aerodynamics adjust downforce according to the situation. 

The electric motors at the front axle are a key element of the predictive dynamics system, enabling variable torque vectoring for agile cornering and stability at high speeds. 

The intelligent and predictive tuning of vehicle dynamics ensures maximum traction and control — even during severe lateral and tire slip, on wet or snowy roads, and in changing grip conditions. 

Drivers can also influence the system via rotary controls on the steering wheel, with four driving modes that prioritize powertrain, vehicle dynamics, and efficiency differently: 

• E‑Hybrid enables fully electric driving for urban and short-distance use. 
• Balanced combines comfort, efficiency, and performance.
• Dynamic sharpens system response and enhances agility and precision.
• Dynamic+ focuses the powertrain entirely on an emotional driving experience.

For particularly demanding scenarios, vehicle dynamics can be further refined in Track Mode. This enables targeted adjustment of traction control to driving style and available grip. The settings range from Wet to Dry and from Race to Traction Control Off (TC Off) — allowing for transparent, controllable driving behavior right up to the physical limits. 

Audi Space Frame with carbon exterior

The vehicle architecture of the Audi Nuvolari¹ is consistently designed for lightweight construction and high torsional rigidity. To achieve this, Audi combines proven Audi Space Frame technology with a carbon exterior — a first for Audi. 

The Audi Space Frame with carbon exterior combines low weight with high structural strength, forming the basis for precise handling and controlled high performance. Almost all exterior components are made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). 

All carbon fiber components of the Audi Nuvolari¹ have been developed using Formula 1 expertise. A key element is prepreg autoclave technology, in which pre-impregnated carbon-fibers are shaped and then cured under high pressure and temperature — ensuring maximum structural performance with minimal weight.

The carbon elements are produced in precise, manual layup processes that require a high level of experience, care, and craftsmanship. The quality of execution is crucial for both the structural integrity and the visual appearance of the components. 

This manufacturing process enables highly complex geometries. Using CFRP, components can be designed consistently for function — from complex door panel structures to precisely aligned vertical frame elements that guide airflow through the concealed S‑duct. 

In areas exposed to particularly high temperatures, the Audi Nuvolari¹ uses specifically tuned heat-resistant materials that combine functional performance with distinctive visual accents. 

Forged center-lock wheels are also making their debut in Audi’s production portfolio. 

Active aerodynamics inspired by Formula 1

Audi uses active aerodynamics in the Nuvolari¹ to purposefully combine performance and efficiency. The system adjusts downforce, drag, and aerodynamic balance in response to driving conditions — ensuring maximum stability and precise vehicle control. 

Each exterior element serves a clearly defined aerodynamic function, from the front splitter to the rear diffuser. Audi’s Formula 1 drivers provided targeted feedback during the development phase to fine-tune aerodynamic performance. 

Front air intakes ensure effective brake cooling as well as efficient thermal management of the combustion engine and hybrid components. A vented front end, known as an S‑duct, improves aerodynamic efficiency at the front axle — delivering additional downforce, reducing lift at high speeds, and improving cooling of the powertrain. 

The central element of the active aerodynamic system is the deployable adaptive rear wing. It controls downforce and drag across three configurations: Closed, Low Downforce (LD), and High Downforce (HD).

In the Closed position, the rear wing is retracted to minimize drag and improve efficiency. In LD and HD configurations, different levels of downforce are generated depending on driving dynamics and the selected driving mode. 

In performance-oriented modes such as Dynamic, Dynamic+, and Track, the rear wing operates fully automatically. On straights, the system shifts to the LD position to optimize top speed and stability. The Drag Reduction System (DRS), familiar from Formula 1, can be activated manually via a dedicated steering‑wheel button to further lower the wing, reducing drag and increasing top speed. 

Under braking and in corners, the wing moves to the HD position to optimize downforce for maximum performance and control. In this high-downforce configuration, the aerodynamic concept of the Audi Nuvolari¹ — depending on the driving situation — delivers more than 400 kg of downforce. 

The rear wing position can be controlled both automatically and manually via a rotary control on the steering wheel — in all driving modes except E‑Hybrid. 

The aerodynamics concept has been refined down to the smallest detail — including the solid-metal Audi rings integrated flush into the deployable rear wing — and forms the basis for high cornering speeds and fast lap times on the racetrack. 

Dynamic energy management

The energy management system of the Audi Nuvolari¹ is also inspired by motorsport. Boost and recuperation strategies are closely linked to torque distribution. As an integrated system, it continuously manages the interaction between power delivery and energy recovery — adapted to driving conditions, grip level, and driver intent. 

Adaptive strategies for coasting and brake recuperation extend energy recovery to nearly all driving phases. At the front axle, electric deceleration takes on a significant portion of braking, while at the rear axle, coasting, partial load, and traction control phases are used for recuperation. 

Purely electric deceleration of up to 0.3 g is possible — covering a large share of braking events in everyday and dynamic driving. This controlled deceleration stabilizes the vehicle while simultaneously charging the battery. 

The integrated architecture of power delivery, torque distribution, and energy recovery becomes especially evident in the Launch Control function. Here, the system makes targeted use of stored energy for maximum acceleration — a concept derived directly from Formula 1, enabling maximum performance with controlled traction. 

High-performance braking system

The braking system of the Audi Nuvolari¹ has been developed with a clear objective: maximum performance under extreme conditions through precise interaction between hydraulic braking and electric deceleration. 

A motorsport-inspired brake-by-wire system enables variable distribution between recuperation and hydraulic braking. The brake pedal is functionally decoupled from actual braking force at the wheels to ensure a consistent and precise pedal feel. 

At the core of the system is the new Audi Ceramic Pro braking system, designed for consistently high deceleration and precise control — even under sustained intense use on the racetrack. 

At the front axle, ten-piston fixed calipers work with 420 × 40 mm brake discs, while at the rear, four-piston calipers are paired with 410 × 32 mm discs. This combination delivers balanced braking performance with high thermal stability and precise pedal feedback across the entire speed range. 

The brake discs, derived directly from Formula 1, are based on a long-fiber carbon structure designed to withstand extreme thermal loads without compromising structural integrity or consistent friction characteristics. 

A specially designed internal cooling system for the brake discs improves airflow and increases heat dissipation by up to 21 percent compared with conventional carbon-ceramic systems. 

Reduced longitudinal vibrations under heavy braking, improved directional stability, and precise steering response shorten braking distances — particularly at high speeds — while increasing control and safety. 

Under suitable conditions, a significant portion of deceleration is provided purely electrically. Only under higher braking demands or near the limits of vehicle dynamics does the system seamlessly bring in the hydraulic brakes. 

With an energy absorption capacity of up to 2.8 megawatts, the braking system is capable of handling extreme deceleration loads — on par with a current Formula 1 car. This ensures consistently high braking performance without fading or overheating, even under extreme track conditions. 

Interior and UI/UX

The interior of the Audi Nuvolari¹ is fully focused on the act of driving. A reduced architecture concentrates all controls on essential functions and positions them directly within the driver’s field of view — including key elements of the human machine interface (HMI). 

This driver-centric approach prioritizes relevant information, while secondary content remains in the background. Digital displays and physical controls follow a consistent logic, enabling natural interaction. 

Color accents in the HMI are a nod to the legendary Auto Union Type C race car, referencing the motorsport era of the 1930s, which was dominated by historic speed records. 

This functional use of color is continued in the overall interior concept, dividing the cabin into two zones. The front section is finished in a deep, dark tone, designed to support concentration. Surfaces, materials, and accents are consistently aligned with this dark color scheme. In contrast, the rear section introduces a lighter tone, Shadow Dune. 

Precision and craftsmanship define the entire interior — from controls and air vents to the frame of the central display, crafted from anodized aluminum. 

Lightweight seats complement the driver-oriented interior concept. The carbon fiber structure in the seat base and backrest reduces weight while providing high rigidity and precise lateral support. The ergonomic design promotes a natural seating position and enables direct feedback from both vehicle and road.

Tazio Nuvolari

The Audi Nuvolari¹ stands for uncompromising performance and absolute focus. The pre-production prototype presented today was developed in a remarkably short time through close international collaboration. 

It is named after Tazio Nuvolari, one of the most prominent figures in motorsport history. Born in Italy, he was known for his fearlessness, ingenuity, dedication, and a single-minded will to succeed. 

¹Under specific conditions (battery initial temperature > 28°C and a state of charge (SoC) above 80%)

Further information and backstory related to the Audi Nuvolari¹ can be found in the press kit.

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Audi CEO Gernot Döllner: “The Audi Nuvolari is a physical manifestation of Audi’s technological renewal”

[source: Audi AG]

In the run-up to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco, Audi has unveiled the Nuvolari — the fastest and most powerful supercar in the brand’s history. The drivers for the Audi Revolut F1 Team, Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, also attended the presentation of the near-production prototype on the Côte d’Azur — Hülkenberg and Bortoleto have already tested the Audi Nuvolari and are impressed. Below, they and CEO Gernot Döllner, CTO Rouven Mohr, Chief Sales Officer Marco Schubert, and Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella provide insights into the strategy, technology, and design of the Audi Nuvolari.

Nico Hülkenberg, driver for the Audi Revolut F1 Team

• “The Audi Nuvolari¹ looks really cool and unique. For me, what truly counts is the overall package — that is, how the car feels, how precisely it responds, and how well performance and drivability complement each other. The Nuvolari¹ really has a lot to offer.”
• “It’s exciting to see just how much potential this car has, and the power of the high-performance hybrid powertrain — with over 1,000 PS — is truly impressive.” 

Gabriel Bortoleto, driver for the Audi Revolut F1 Team

• “Running the Audi Nuvolari¹ at Nardò and working closely with the development team on the setup was a really great experience. What stands out immediately is how clean and predictable the car feels on turn-in. There’s basically no understeer, which is impressive given the level of performance. The balance stays very neutral and precise, giving you the confidence to carry speed through the corners. You can clearly feel how the different systems — especially the aerodynamics and torque distribution — work together as one. Overall, it’s a very complete package and a car that responds exactly the way you expect as a driver.”

CEO Gernot Döllner

• “The Audi Nuvolari¹ brings pure emotion and performance to the road. It also reveals how we are taking ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ into a new era.”
• “With the Audi Nuvolari¹, we are accelerating technological progress and demonstrating that the company is picking up the pace — in development, decision-making, and innovation.”
• “Team spirit and the drive for continuous improvement place Formula 1 teams in pole position. This is exactly the mindset we are embedding at Audi.”

Rouven Mohr, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development

• “The Audi Nuvolari¹ is the first supercar from Audi with a high-performance hybrid powertrain and sets a new benchmark for ‘Vorsprung durch Technik.’ My personal highlights are the power of the high-performance hybrid powertrain, the active aerodynamics, and the world-first quattro predictive ride.”
• “The quattro drive is one of Audi’s most iconic technologies, representing traction, control, and driving dynamics in all conditions. With quattro predictive ride, we are defining the next generation of all-wheel drive. The system anticipates potential loss of traction based on highly precise sensor data and predictively coordinates the powertrain, brakes, torque distribution, and aerodynamics as an integrated system.”

Marco Schubert, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing

• “The Audi Nuvolari¹ embodies uncompromising racing DNA — inspired by Tazio Nuvolari’s ability to continually redefine the limits of what is possible and translate technical excellence into performance.”
• “The Audi Nuvolari¹ appeals to customers for whom performance alone is not enough — but who also place great value on aesthetics, authenticity, and perfection.”
• “The Audi Nuvolari¹ is limited to 499 units — a highly exclusive collector’s item. The official pre-ordering in Europe is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, but customers can already register their interest now.”

Massimo Frascella, Chief Creative Officer

“Every design decision has a clear purpose. Nothing is decorative. Our new identity is defined by the Vertical Frame — applied here for the first time on a hybrid model. The interior is a study in clarity and control. Everything supports the act of driving.”

“The Audi Nuvolari¹ embodies ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ in its most visceral form: progress through technology. And for us, technology never exists for its own sake. It is always a means to an end. And that end must be emotion.”

“The Audi Nuvolari¹ will be our first production model to express ‘The Radical Next’ as a new way of thinking. A philosophy built on the understanding that, at its best, Audi is an unmistakable combination of clarity, technicality, intelligence, and emotion.”