Audi has unveiled its first supercar with a high-performance hybrid powertrain. With 1001 PS (736 kW) and a top speed of more than 350 km/h (217 mph), the Nuvolari is set to become the most powerful and fastest production vehicle in the history of the brand. Deliveries, limited to 499 units, will begin in the first half of 2027.

“With the Audi Nuvolari, we are accelerating technological progress,” said 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.”

The car was revealed in the run-up to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco at an event led by Audi execs Döllner, CTO Rouven Mohr, Chief Sales Officer Marco Schubert, and Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella—with Audi Revolut F1 Team drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto along for the ride.

The Nuvolari is a European pre-production prototype, and plans for the U.S. will be revealed in a future announcement. Final market-specific information, including performance specifications, pricing, and the EPA-rated mileage/emissions figures, may vary from the information provided today.

The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 2.6 s and reaches 200 km/h (0 to 124 mph) in 6.8 s. These figures are enabled by a range of innovations inspired by Audi’s entry this year into Formula 1, including the high-performance hybrid powertrain, quattro predictive ride, active aerodynamics, and the new ASF (Audi Space Frame) structure with carbon exterior.

 

Carbon-intensive ASF and F1-inspired active aerodynamics

The car is named after Tazio Nuvolari, one of the most prominent figures in motorsport history, and is the first production vehicle that follows Audi’s new design philosophy, with taut surfaces, “seamlessly integrated” technology, and intelligent aerodynamics. A mid-engine layout defines its proportions. The exterior is coated in a new Titanium signature color, a paint also used on Audi’s Concept C and Formula 1 race car, in combination with carbon elements.

“The Audi Nuvolari 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,” said Frascella. “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 vehicle architecture is designed for lightweight construction and high torsional rigidity, combining for the first time Audi Space Frame technology with a carbon exterior. Almost all exterior components are made from carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) 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 to maximize structural performance while minimizing weight.

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

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 car 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.

The car’s active aerodynamics are meant to combine performance and efficiency. The system adjusts downforce, drag, and aerodynamic balance in response to driving conditions, maximizing stability and precise vehicle control.

Many of the exterior elements, from the front splitter to the rear diffuser, serve a clearly defined aerodynamic function. 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, LD (low downforce), and HD (high downforce). 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 selected driving mode.

In performance-oriented modes, such as Dynamic, Dynamic+, and Track, the rear wing operates automatically. On straights, the system shifts to the LD position to optimize top speed and stability. An F1-inspired DRS (drag reduction system) can be activated manually via a 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, and depending on the driving situation, more than 400 kg (880 lb) of downforce can be delivered. The aerodynamics concept has been refined down to the smallest detail, including the solid-metal Audi rings integrated flush into the deployable rear wing, the position of which can be controlled both automatically and manually via a rotary control on the steering wheel in all driving modes except E-Hybrid.

 

Hybrid performance and Quattro predictive ride

“With the Audi Nuvolari, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication,” said CTO Mohr. “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 car’s hybrid high-performance powertrain combines a 4.0-L V8 biturbo engine delivering a maximum 588 kW (800 hp) and 730 N·m (538 lb·ft) with three axial-flux electric motors each producing 110 kW. Hybrid energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery with a 7.3-kW·h gross capacity. The combustion engine can spin up to a motorsport-like 10,000 rpm.

The two oil-cooled electric motors at the front axle, delivering up to 2150 N·m (1585 lb·ft), support variable torque distribution. The third electric motor is between the V8 engine and transmission.

For the Nuvolari, Audi engineers further developed the principle of its signature Quattro all-wheel drive with Quattro predictive ride. The system processes the current driving state from detailed sensor data, including steering angle, acceleration, yaw rate, and grip level. If it anticipates a potential loss of grip in a corner, it responds proactively as an integrated system.

The drive units distribute torque in both longitudinal and lateral directions, with the brakes stabilizing the vehicle through targeted interventions and reduced slip. The aerodynamics adjust downforce according to the situation.

The front-axle electric motors are a key element of the predictive dynamics system, enabling variable torque vectoring for agile cornering and stability at high speeds. The predictive tuning of vehicle dynamics maximizes traction and control, even during severe lateral and tire slip, on wet or snowy roads, and in changing grip conditions.

Drivers can adjust the system via rotary controls on the steering wheel, with four driving modes that prioritize powertrain, vehicle dynamics, and efficiency differently. E-Hybrid mode enables fully electric driving for urban and short-distance use. Balanced mode combines comfort, efficiency, and performance. Dynamic mode sharpens system response and enhances agility and precision. Dynamic+ mode focuses the powertrain entirely on an emotional driving experience.

For the most demanding scenarios, vehicle dynamics can be further refined in Track mode, enabling targeted adjustment of traction control to suit driving style and available grip. The settings range from Wet to Dry and from Race to Traction Control Off, allowing for transparent, controllable driving behavior right up to the physical limits.

 

Dynamic energy management and brake-by-wire

The car’s energy management system 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 especially benefits the Launch Control. For this function, the system makes targeted use of stored energy for maximum acceleration, a concept derived directly from Formula 1 and enabling maximum performance with controlled traction.

The braking system development objective was maximum performance under extreme conditions through precise interaction between hydraulic braking and electric deceleration enabled by a motorsport-inspired brake-by-wire system. 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. On the front axle, ten-piston fixed calipers work with 420 x 40 mm brake discs, while on the rear, four-piston calipers are paired with 410 × 32 mm discs.

Derived directly from Formula 1, the brake discs 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% compared with conventional carbon-ceramic systems. The resulting reduced longitudinal vibrations under heavy braking, improved directional stability, and precise steering response shorten braking distances, particularly at high speeds, while increasing control.

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

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

 

‘Reduced architecture’ interior and UI/UX

The interior’s “reduced architecture” concentrates all controls on essential functions and positions them directly within the driver’s field of view, including key elements of the HMI (human-machine interface). This driver-centric approach prioritizes relevant information, while secondary content remains in the background.

Digital displays and physical controls follow a “consistent logic” to enable “natural interaction.” HMI color accents are a nod to the legendary Auto Union Type C race car of the 1930s.

This use of color in the overall interior concept helps divide 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 the dark color scheme. In contrast, the rear section introduces a lighter tone, Shadow Dune.

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

Complementing the driver-oriented interior concept are lightweight seats with a carbon-fiber structure in the cushion and back that reduces weight while providing high rigidity and precise lateral support. The ergonomic design is meant to promote a natural seating position and enable direct feedback from both the vehicle and the road.