- The Audi Nuvolari combines a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine with three electrical motors.
- With a high pace of over 217 mph, it is the quickest Audi ever.
- Manufacturing is proscribed to 499 items.
- The title honors a legendary Italian race automobile driver and was beforehand used on a 2003 idea.
It’s been somewhat over two years since Audi known as time on the R8 by ending manufacturing of its iconic mid-engine efficiency machine. The German luxurious model has since refuted reviews about bringing it again for a 3rd era, but there’s now a brand new supercar that fulfills an analogous position. It doesn’t revive the R8 moniker; as an alternative, it adopts one other nameplate with a historic reference.
Nuvolari takes its title from the legendary Italian driver Tazio Nuvolari, who gained races within the late Nineteen Thirties for Auto Union, a forerunner of what’s now Audi. Ingolstadt is now honoring his legacy with a flagship mannequin that ushers within the firm’s new design language initially previewed by the Concept C final 12 months. The brand new supercar will not be solely going into manufacturing however will even attain the market earlier than the targa-topped electrical sports activities automobile.
On the coronary heart of the Nuvolari is a plug-in hybrid powertrain based mostly round a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. The combustion engine revs to 10,000 rpm and works with three axial-flux electrical motors for a mixed output of 987 horsepower. Coincidentally, that’s the identical determine as the unique Bugatti Veyron when it launched in 2005.
Photograph by: Audi
Acquainted Technical Specs
Though Audi predictably doesn’t point out the Temerario, it’s simple to attach the dots between the brand new Nuvolari and Lamborghini’s entry-level supercar. In any case, Audi owns Lamborghini, and each generations of the R8 had been based mostly on fashions bearing the raging bull: the Gallardo and the Huracan. Apart from the screaming 10,000-rpm redline, the combustion engine’s output of 789 hp and 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) matches that of the Temerario’s V8.
However this is the kicker. The Nuvolari’s mixed energy of 987 hp outpunches the Temerario by 80 hp and takes the crown as probably the most highly effective Audi ever, a title beforehand held by the RS e-tron GT Performance. It’s additionally the quickest street-legal mannequin to put on the 4 Rings, topping out at greater than 217 mph (350 km/h). On the identical time, it’s among the many quickest, reaching 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.6 seconds, or one-tenth faster than the Temerario. From a standstill to 124 mph (200 km/h), it completes the run in simply 6.8 seconds.
With a gross capability of seven.3 kWh, the Nuvolari’s battery has almost twice the power of the Temerario’s 3.8 kWh pack and does allow purely electrical driving over brief distances. You clearly gained’t go very far earlier than the combustion engine kicks in, particularly because the Lamborghini can run in EV mode for about 5 miles earlier than the V8 takes over.
We requested Audi about any potential ties to the Temerario, and the official assertion confirms there’s a relationship between the 2 vehicles and so they share the V8, however with an Audi contact for the Nuvolari:
‘The Nuvolari clearly embodies the Audi DNA – with Components 1–impressed know-how, a particular design, and uncompromising efficiency. By leveraging synergies throughout the Group, one of the best applied sciences have been mixed and exactly tailor-made to Audi-specific values, the place it’s significant and environment friendly. For instance, whereas the combustion engine structure stays unchanged, its character is distinctly formed by way of an Audi-specific utility.’
Photograph by: Audi
Nuvolari Brings A Couple Of Audi Firsts
Very similar to the R8 earlier than it, the Nuvolari advantages from Audi Area Body aluminum-intensive building, however for the primary time it has been mixed with a physique made largely of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. Classes realized from F1 helped engineers optimize the CFRP to maintain weight in verify, though an actual determine has not been launched. For reference, the Temerario suggestions the scales at 3,726 kilos (1,690 kilograms) earlier than fluids.
Nuvolari is Audi’s first mannequin to make use of cast center-lock wheels, mixed with carbon-ceramic brakes that includes ten-piston entrance calipers clamping 420×40 mm discs and four-piston rear calipers paired with 410×32 mm discs. These are barely bigger than the Temerario’s setup and are additionally claimed to have engineering roots in F1.
The F1 connection doesn’t finish there. Audi claims the energetic aerodynamics, together with an adaptive rear wing, take inspiration from the top of motorsport. The aero factor has three phases (Closed, Low Downforce, Excessive Downforce) and robotically adjusts relying on the drive mode. Alternatively, the driving force can modify the settings utilizing a rotary management on the steering wheel. This may be achieved in all driving modes besides E-Hybrid, the place totally electrical driving is prioritized.
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Supply: Audi
Traction Management Off Mode And An F1-Derived DRS
As for the opposite 4 modes, there’s Balanced, Dynamic, Dynamic+, and Observe, with the latter permitting traction management to be totally disabled. There’s even an F1-like drag discount system (DRS) that the driving force can manually deploy on the contact of a button on the steering wheel to extend high pace.
To additional tie in with its F1 efforts, Audi makes use of a Titanium colour additionally seen on the Idea C. The similarities to the electrical targa sports activities automobile proceed inside, the place the Nuvolari combines bodily controls with screens and makes use of colour accents as a nod to Auto Union’s Kind C race automobile of the Nineteen Thirties.
Audi has pledged a return to its former self when it comes to high-quality supplies, and the Nuvolari goals to pave the way in which for improved cabins, with the Idea C to observe subsequent 12 months. Hopefully, it will then trickle right down to quantity fashions within the “A” and “Q” collection.
Whereas Lamborghini will construct as many Temerario supercars as demand permits, Audi is limiting Nuvolari manufacturing to simply 499 items. Deliveries are scheduled to start within the first half of 2027. The Idea C talked about earlier will even evolve right into a manufacturing mannequin subsequent 12 months as effectively.
The 2003 Audi Nuvolari quattro Idea
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Supply: Audi
This isn’t the primary time Audi has paid tribute to Tazio Nuvolari. On the 2003 Geneva Motor Present, the Nuvolari quattro with a twin-turbo V10 engine previewed a design language later used on fashions such because the first-generation A5 launched in 2007. The 600-horsepower styling train commemorated 50 years because the Italian driver’s loss of life.
Later, in 2014, the third and remaining era TT obtained a Nuvolari particular version within the legendary driver’s homeland, Italy.
Motor1’s Take: Audi has been adamant that there wouldn’t be a follow-up to the R8, so this comes as a pleasant shock. Whereas pricing isn’t talked about, the Nuvolari will nearly actually sit deep in six-figure territory, contemplating the Temerario begins at slightly below $300,000. However, discovering 499 consumers shouldn’t be tough given the efficiency and styling.
Though a supercar is, by definition, for one-percenters, it additionally serves as a reset button for Audi after just a few so-so years. It affords a glimpse of what’s to return when it comes to exterior design and inside high quality for future volume-oriented fashions launching after the Nuvolari and the Idea C.
On the identical time, these two sports activities vehicles assist handle a niche within the lineup by bringing again the modern two-door form we have been lacking for some time.
