Audi has been without a true halo model since the amazing mid-engined V10-powered R8 supercar went out of production. We almost cried when that happened. But what's this? Is Audi about to bring the R8 back, with hybrid power?
Well?!?!!? Is it?!?!?!?! Tell us!!!!
It certainly seems possible, because, following hot on the heels of the TT-alike Concept C convertible electric sports car (which apparently is still headed for production), comes this: the Nuvolari concept. And we're getting distinct new-era R8 vibes from it.
Why is it called Nuvolari?
Tazio Nuvolari is one of the greatest racing drivers who ever lived - indeed, the late, great Murray Walker named him as the best of all time, and he would know - and was one of the few drivers in the 1930s who could properly tame the insanely powerful, difficult to drive Auto Union V16 Grand Prix car. Auto Union is the predecessor of Audi, of course, so there's a connection here to the brand's awesome pre-war racing era.
Would Nuvolari like this new concept?
We suspect he would, certainly with the 1,001hp power output that Audi is quoting. And the top speed of 350km/h. Audi is clearly not playing around with this thing.
In fact, the Nuvolari - which is still a concept car, we'd remind you - claims 0-100km/h acceleration of just 2.6 seconds and will hit 200km/h from rest in just 6.8 seconds. That's Ferrari-fast.
What's powering the Nuvolari?
The Nuvolari gets a mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that develops 800hp on its own. That's backed up by three 'axial flux' electric motors, which develop 110kW each. Those are fed by a small 7.3kWh battery. The front wheels each get one motor, and the third wheel is sandwiched between the engine and gearbox.
"With the Audi Nuvolari1, our entire team has once again demonstrated its technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication,” said Rouven Mohr, Audi's chief technical officer. "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.”
What about the chassis?
The Nuvolari gets four-wheel drive - it's a quattro, natch - but it also gets what Audi calls 'quattro predictive ride.' "The system processes the current driving state based on a highly precise vehicle state model. Detailed sensor data - including steering angle, acceleration, yaw rate (rotation of the vehicle around its vertical axis, which determines steering response in corners), and current grip level - continuously feed into the control system. If the system anticipates a potential loss of grip in a corner, it responds proactively as an integrated system,” said Audi.
There are four driving modes, selected by a neat rotary controller on the steering wheel - E-Hybrid, for maximum efficiency; Balanced, for all-round performance; Dynamic, for sportier driving, and Dynamic+ for MORE SPORTIER DRIVING.
No need to shout…
Sorry, got a bit carried away. The Nuvolari uses Audi's traditional aluminium space-frame chassis, but is clothed in carbon-fibre panels painted in the same soft silver as the brand's new Formula One car. Indeed, Audi says that the F1 squad has had more than a little input into the Nuvolari. The forged centre-lock alloys are a nice touch, as is the 'face' of the car, which features a slim, upright grille and piercing lights, which looks set to become the new corporate look of Audi. Bring it on, frankly.
What else does the Nuvolari have up its sleeve?
Active aerodynamics for a start, again with the assistance of the F1 team, which includes a vented front 'S-duct' that runs under the front structure of the car, and a deployable rear wing that has both high downforce and low downforce modes. In high-downforce trim, the Nuvolari apparently develops 400kg of downforce.
There's also 'dynamic energy management', which means that the car's electronic systems can juggle the petrol engine and the electric motors and e-braking for either maximum efficiency or maximum fun. On its own, the regenerative braking system can decelerate the Nuvolari at 0.3G, which is quite some going.
When you need to stop harder than that, there's a carbon-ceramic brake disc setup, with 420mm front discs and ten-piston calipers.
What about the interior?
Audi says that the Nuvolari's cabin layout takes some inspiration from those 1930s Grand Prix cars, and there are lightweight bucket seats and lots of exposed carbon fibre. It looks awesome in there.
Will Audi actually put this into production?
Well… we've been here before with Audi. The stunning Avus concept. The Quattro Spider. The Quattro Coupe concept. All of which promised much, but which were shunted aside in favour of… more SUVs. Sigh.
However, this time around, there seems to be intent behind the concept. "With the Audi Nuvolari1, we are accelerating technological progress,” said Gernot Döllner, chairman of the board of Audi. "It shows what is possible when the focus is on technology, performance, and execution through teamwork - and when we achieve progress together.”
Audi has said that the Nuvolari will be built in 2027, with 499 scheduled for production, but we'll count our chickens when they're hatched.
