1,001 horsepower Audi Nuvolari hybrid supercar unveiled
Not a successor to the R8, but Audi's fastest and most powerful road car yet, the new Nuvolari combines a 1,001 PS hybrid powertrain, Formula 1-inspired technology and a bold new design direction
Audi has unveiled the all-new Audi Nuvolari, marking the brand’s first production supercar to feature a high-performance hybrid powertrain. Positioned as the fastest and most powerful road car in the company’s history, the Audi Nuvolari 2026 is not a direct successor to the R8. Instead, it serves as a limited-run flagship that combines electrified performance, Formula 1-derived technology and a new design direction for the brand. Production will be limited to 499 units globally.
A new performance benchmark for Audi
At the core of the Audi Nuvolari hybrid is a powertrain producing a combined 1,001 PS (736 kW), making it the most powerful production Audi to date.
The system pairs a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering 800 hp and 730 Nm, with three axial-flux electric motors rated at 110 kW each. Energy is supplied by a compact 7.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, while the V8 is capable of revving up to 10,000 rpm.
According to Audi, the supercar can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 350 km/h.
Formula-1-derived technology
Audi’s involvement in Formula 1 has influenced several aspects of the Nuvolari’s development.
The model integrates advanced energy deployment strategies, predictive vehicle dynamics systems and active aerodynamics. These include a movable rear wing and drag-reduction features designed to balance downforce and efficiency.
The chassis is built around Audi’s quattro predictive ride technology, which coordinates all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, suspension and braking systems in real time to optimize performance.
New design language introduced
The Audi Nuvolari design also signals a shift in the brand’s styling direction.
Developed under Head of Design Massimo Frascella, the car follows a philosophy described as “Radical Next”, focusing on clarity, proportion and functional surfaces.
A carbon-fibre-intensive structure reduces weight while maintaining rigidity, and each aerodynamic component is designed for performance efficiency. The overall form departs from previous Audi performance models while retaining key brand identifiers.
Part of a wider strategy
Named after legendary racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, the project forms part of Audi’s broader technology development programme.
The model was approved in early 2025 and developed over a period of 440 days, highlighting the accelerated pace of innovation within the company’s performance division.
Positioning and availability
Rather than replacing the R8 directly, the Audi Nuvolari supercar represents a new direction for Audi’s high-performance portfolio.
With production limited to 499 units worldwide, the model is positioned as both a technological showcase and a statement of intent as the brand transitions towards electrified performance.
