Audi is putting 182 of its 499 worldwide Nuvolari units on American soil, and today confirmed a $700,000 starting price with orders open through authorized US dealers. Deliveries begin in the first half of 2028. The allocation is not trivial for a car limited to fewer than 500 examples globally, and it signals that the US market is Audi’s highest-priority destination for what the brand is calling the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in its history.
The Nuvolari’s powertrain pairs a high-revving 4.0-liter biturbo V8 with three axial flux electric motors, two on the front axle and one at the rear. The V8 alone contributes 789 hp, peaking between 9,000 and 9,750 rpm. The three electric motors add 198 hp, putting estimated combined system output at 987 hp. Audi quotes 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds and a top speed exceeding 217 mph. Those are manufacturer estimates and explicitly preliminary, with final figures subject to change.
By way of comparison, the Nuvolari’s North American debut at Monterey Car Week last August showed the same 987 hp figure. The outgoing R8 V10 Performance quattro, which ended production in March 2024, made 620 hp and ran 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. The Nuvolari is not a replacement for the R8, but it occupies a category the R8 never reached.
The technical architecture reflects Audi’s stated intent to channel Formula 1 program knowledge into a road car. The chassis is an all-new Audi Space Frame with carbon-fiber reinforced polymer body panels produced using manufacturing methods derived from motorsport. Active aerodynamics include a three-stage deployable rear wing and a Drag Reduction System borrowed directly from F1 nomenclature. The system can generate more than 880 pounds of downforce at maximum deployment. Ceramic brake discs with a long-fiber design dissipate 21 percent more heat than standard ceramic hardware, and brake-by-wire replaces the conventional hydraulic connection between pedal and caliper.
The dynamics story centers on the world debut of quattro predictive ride, Audi’s approach to all-wheel drive that uses real-time vehicle modeling and advanced sensors to anticipate grip loss rather than react to it. The system ties torque distribution, braking interventions, and aerodynamic balance into one continuous calculation, coordinated with the electric front drive units and a 4-way adjustable suspension that handles both low and high-speed damping as well as compression and rebound independently.
Individualization is central to the ownership experience. The Nuvolari is available in over 50 gloss paint colors and more than 10 matte options, with fully exposed carbon fiber as an additional exterior path for buyers who want the structure visible. Thirteen brake caliper colors are available. Inside, the choices span three Dinamica microsuede colors and 33 leather options, 12 seat belt colors, and two switchgear finishes. Audi Exclusive paint and interior selections extend those options further. For a car priced at $700,000, the depth of the configurator is likely a feature in itself.
Audi has not announced Canadian pricing or a right-hand-drive allocation.
The R8 built its reputation across nearly two decades and more than 44,000 units. The Nuvolari will be measured against the best of a far smaller peer group, and it has 2.5 seconds to make the case.
Source: Audi. Images courtesy of Audi.
