Audi's new Nuvolari supercar has been driven and reviewed by Mat Watson for Carwow, who tested the ultra-limited model on both road and track. The car is built on the same foundation as the Lamborghini Temerario and is positioned as a successor to the Audi R8. According to Carwow, every example is already sold out.
Watson's verdict is broadly positive, though not without reservations. He describes the Nuvolari as impressive on track but particularly strong on the road, and says it feels genuinely special inside. His main criticisms concern engine character and steering feedback.
Why it matters
The Nuvolari carries weight for Audi because it replaces the R8, a car with a long-standing reputation among enthusiasts. The R8's naturally aspirated V10 gave it a distinctive soundtrack, and Watson makes clear that the new car's powertrain does not replicate that experience.
The review also highlights how the supercar segment is changing. The Nuvolari pairs a V8 with electric motors, a layout borrowed from Lamborghini, and offers a short electric-only driving range. That combination of combustion and electrification is increasingly common at the top of the market, and how reviewers judge it will shape buyer expectations.
Design and interior
Watson admits he was initially unimpressed by photographs of the Nuvolari, calling the styling too angular and comparing it to a Tesla Cybercab. Seeing the car in person changed his view. He now considers it dramatic and unlike anything else on the road, and notes that the vents and fins are functional rather than decorative, serving cooling and aerodynamic purposes.
Carwow reports that the car rides on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear, and features an active rear wing capable of generating up to 400kg of downforce. The body is made entirely from carbon fibre, and the grilles are milled from aluminium. Watson says there is no plastic visible anywhere on the car.
Inside, he describes a clean, simple dashboard layout with quality he rates above anything else on the market. The air vents and most of the switches are solid metal, while the remaining surfaces are finished in leather and suede. Practicality is limited: there are no cup holders and no door bins, which Watson notes is just as well given how quickly the car accelerates.
Powertrain and performance
The Nuvolari uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 working alongside three electric motors, the same arrangement found in the Lamborghini Temerario. Output differs, however. Carwow reports that the Lamborghini produces 920hp while the Audi is rated at 1,000hp.
Performance figures quoted in the review are 0-62mph in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 270mph. Watson was less taken with the sound, describing the engine as somewhat industrial when pushed hard, and contrasting it unfavourably with the V10 that powered the R8.
On track, he found the car capable but felt a Porsche 911 GT3 RS remains the better choice for pure circuit driving. His criticism centres on the steering, which he calls precise but short on feel and feedback at speed. He does note that the rear can be brought around corners with relative ease, making the car playful even if it is not as engaging as the Porsche.
Road manners and attention
Watson was most impressed away from the circuit. Even with the adaptive dampers set to track mode, he reports that the Nuvolari copes well with bumps. Visibility is strong, helped by a rear-view camera, and he found it easier to manoeuvre in town than the Temerario.
The car can also run on electric power alone for roughly 12 miles, which Watson points out allows occupants to hear bystanders' reactions clearly. He says he was stopped several times by members of the public complimenting the car's appearance.
His overall conclusion is that buyers seeking the sharpest track tool should look to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but that the Nuvolari remains a compelling package thanks to its road comfort, interior quality and road presence.
Car and Driver has separately published a photo gallery of the 2028 Audi Nuvolari's exterior and a look inside the cabin, offering further detail on the car's design.
With the allocation reportedly exhausted, attention now turns to whether Audi will build further examples or confirm any additional variants.
