Audi Nuvolari: From design to prototype in 405 days
Image: Audi
Audi emphasizes that its new plug-in hybrid supercar, the Nuvolari, was developed from the first sketch to a drivable prototype in just 405 days. The project went through development, testing, and stress tests before the vehicle made its world debut in southern France in June.
"The Nuvolari project demonstrates impressively how quickly we at Audi can bring an idea to life – that’s leadership through technology," says CEO Gernot Döllner. The plug-in hybrid model is described as a technological beacon for future developments at Audi, intended to drive innovation in the premium brand’s technology portfolio. Rouven Mohr, Head of Technical Development, calls the Nuvolari the strongest and fastest road car Audi has ever produced. It is also the first production vehicle to feature the new design language.
For this project, experts from design, vehicle engineering, aerodynamics, and propulsion work together from the outset as a self-sufficient, focused team. Short communication paths, quick decision-making, and close integration among the disciplines enabled the rapid development pace, it is said. Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella explains that the Nuvolari demonstrates that with the right mindset and close teamwork, fast development without compromises is possible.
The development process went from initial designs in Ingolstadt, through cold testing with test vehicles in Lapland and lightweight construction work in Neckarsulm, to wind tunnel tests in Ingolstadt. This was followed by suspension tuning in southern Spain and high-speed testing in Nardò, Italy. 405 days after the first idea, the project team presented the drivable prototype.
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Gabriel Bortoleto from the Audi Revolut F1 Team tested the Nuvolari on the high-speed track at the Nardò Technical Center. After the tests, he said, “The car is extremely fast, and the sound is incredible. I need more laps—I want to experience this feeling again.” Driver Nico Hülkenberg tried out the plug-in hybrid sports car at its limits on the test track in Neustadt an der Donau. “The acceleration and the full system power of over 1,000 horsepower—this is truly impressive,” he said.
The Nuvolari features a “high-performance hybrid drive.” With a system power of 736 kW/1001 HP and a top speed of over 350 km/h, this plug-in hybrid is the most powerful and fastest production vehicle in the history of this Ingolstadt-based automaker. Deliveries of this supercar, limited to 499 units and priced at around 600,000 euros, are scheduled for the first half of 2027.
Audi combines a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine producing 588 kW/800 horsepower with three axial-flux electric motors, each delivering 110 kW/150 horsepower. Together, they achieve a maximum system power of 736 kW/1001 horsepower. The lithium-ion battery has a gross capacity of 7.3 kWh. The internal combustion engine provides up to 730 Nm of torque and can reach speeds of up to 10,000 revolutions per minute. This setup is said to enable a 0-to-100 km/h acceleration in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds.
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Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electric mobility with experience in the automotive and financial industries. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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