Audi's New Supercar Discovers Its Italian Racing Roots

The Audi Nuvolari is shown for the first time in Italy in Mantua, the birthplace of Tazio Nuvolari.

Audi Nuvolari presented as a national premiere in Mantua

Photo by: Audi

By: Alberto Carmone

Translated by: Brian Potter

Sep 9, at 8:05am ET

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Audi Nuvolari takes a trip to Mantua, the Italian city tied closely to its namesake.
The supercar honors Tazio Nuvolari, the legendary 'Flying Mantuan' racing driver.
Its Italian journey continued through Monza and Milan, connecting Audi’s racing past with its future

The connection between Audi and Italy is being renewed through performance and history. With the debut of the Audi Nuvolari, the four-ring brand is unveiling the most powerful and fastest road car it has ever built.

The new 987-horsepower plug-in hybrid supercar is both a technological and design statement and a tribute to one of the most iconic names in global motorsport: Tazio Nuvolari. It is no coincidence that the exclusive German supercar’s national preview was held in Mantua.

The 'Flying Mantuan'

Audi Nuvolari presented as a national premiere in Mantua

Photo by: Audi

The Nuvolari’s Italian tour began in the Virgilian city before continuing with strategic stops in Monza and Milan.

The launch event took place in the prestigious setting of Palazzo Te. In the Mantuan villa’s Court of Honor, the new high-performance model was displayed alongside the historic Auto Union Type D, the single-seater with which Nuvolari—born in Castel d’Ario, a town in the province of Mantua—won the 1938 Italian Grand Prix.

Audi Nuvolari presented as a national premiere in Mantua

Photos by: Audi

Audi Nuvolari presented as a national premiere in Mantua

The storytelling route then continued to the Nuvolari Museum, with representatives from ACI Mantova and the museum in attendance, to explore memorabilia and the historical legacy tied to the driver.

Italy is fully embedded in the project’s identity. Beyond the name inspired by the legendary racing ace, the styling bears the signature of Massimo Frascella, Chief Creative Officer of AUDI AG, while dynamic development included significant high-speed testing at the Nardò Technical Center.

The Secrets Behind The Nuvolari

Audi Nuvolari presented as a national premiere in Mantua

Photo by: Audi

Developed in just 405 days, the car uses an all-carbon-fiber body—a first for Audi—and a mid-engine layout.

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The plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with three electric motors, producing a combined output of 987 hp. Performance figures include 0 to 62 mph in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of more than 217 mph, supported by a new-generation quattro all-wheel-drive system and Formula 1-derived solutions including active aerodynamics and carbon-ceramic brakes.

Built in an extremely limited run of just 499 units, with an estimated base price between €500,000 and €600,000 ($581,000 and $697,000), the Nuvolari later appeared in Monza and in the heart of Milan during FuoriConcorso events, positioning itself as a bridge between Auto Union’s racing heritage and the advanced technology of tomorrow.