Mat Watson has driven the new Audi Nuvolari for Carwow, publishing his verdict on Monday, 9 November 2026. The car is an ultra-limited supercar built on the same foundations as the Lamborghini Temerario, and Carwow frames the review around whether it earns its place as a successor to the Audi R8.
Watson opens by admitting he had doubts about the design when he first saw photographs, finding it overly angular and reminiscent of a Tesla Cybercab. Seeing the car in person changed his view. He now describes it as dramatic and unlike anything else on the road, and notes that the vents and fins are not decorative — each one handles cooling or aerodynamics.
Why it matters
The Nuvolari sits at the centre of Audi's effort to fill the gap left by the R8, and Carwow's review treats that comparison as the central question. The car shares its mechanical basis with the Temerario, which makes the review a useful read on how two brands can take the same starting point in different directions.
According to Carwow, the Audi also outpoints its Lamborghini relative on power. The Temerario produces 920hp, while the Nuvolari is quoted at 1,000hp. That gap, combined with the car's limited production run, gives the review weight beyond a single drive.
Hardware, cabin and the track question
Carwow reports that the Nuvolari pairs a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with three electric motors — the same arrangement found in the Temerario. Performance figures quoted in the review are 0-62mph in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 270mph.
The car rides on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear, and carries an active rear wing capable of generating up to 400kg of downforce. Watson notes the absence of plastic: the grilles are milled from aluminium and the body is made entirely from carbon fibre.
Inside, Carwow describes a clean, simple dashboard layout with quality the reviewer rates above anything else on the market. Air vents and most switches are solid metal, and the remaining surfaces are trimmed in leather and suede.
Practicality is where the review turns blunt. There are no cup holders and no door bins, which Watson frames as a minor loss given how quickly the car gathers speed.
The engine note drew criticism. Watson found the V8 sounded industrial when revved out, and he contrasted it unfavourably with the V10 that powered the R8.
On track, Carwow's verdict is mixed. Watson calls the car impressive but says a Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the better choice for track driving. He found the steering precise yet short on feel and feedback at speed, while noting the tail can be brought out easily through corners. The Nuvolari comes across as playful rather than fully engaging in that setting.
Where the Nuvolari wins
The road drive drew the strongest praise. Even with the adaptive dampers set to track mode, Carwow reports the car rides bumps comfortably. Visibility is described as excellent, helped by the rear-view camera, and Watson found it easier to handle in town than the Temerario.
The hybrid system allows roughly 12 miles of electric-only running, which Watson notes lets drivers hear bystanders reacting to the car. He reports being stopped several times by people telling him how good it looks.
His conclusion splits the decision. Buyers chasing the best track car should take the 911 GT3 RS, but Watson still rates the Nuvolari highly for its road manners, its cabin and its presence. He adds that the car is sold out.
Audi has not indicated whether further build slots will follow; for now, the Nuvolari's reception rests on reviews like this one rather than showroom availability.
