Audi Nuvolari: from first sketch to drivable supercar in 405 days
Audi built the Nuvolari supercar from first sketch to drivable prototype in 405 days, with F1 drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg testing it.
- 405
- >1,000
What Happened
Audi says the Nuvolari supercar went from first sketch to drivable prototype in 405 days, a pace the company calls new for vehicle development. A making-of video traces the journey from concept, development, and testing to endurance tests with Audi Revolut F1 Team drivers and the world premiere in the South of France.
“The Nuvolari project is a striking example of how quickly we at Audi can bring an idea to life — that is 'Vorsprung durch Technik.'”
Development took place across Europe: initial designs in Ingolstadt, cold-weather testing with technology demonstrators in Lapland, lightweight construction in Neckarsulm, tests in the Ingolstadt wind tunnel, suspension tuning in southern Spain, and high-speed tests in Nardò, Italy. From the start, design, vehicle technology, aerodynamics, and powertrain experts worked in an autonomous, focused team with short communication lines and quick decisions. 'When you have the right mindset and close teamwork, you can succeed in delivering rapidly without making any compromises,' said Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella.
“The Audi Nuvolari is the fastest and most powerful road car we've ever produced.”
After 405 days, the team presented the drivable prototype, and Audi Revolut F1 Team drivers took over testing. Gabriel Bortoleto drove on the high-speed track at Nardò Technical Center and said: 'The car is extremely quick, the sound is incredible. I need more laps; I need to get more of this feeling.' Nico Hülkenberg tested at Neustadt an der Donau and called the acceleration and system output of more than 1,000 PS 'a real statement.'
On June 4, 2026, the Nuvolari debuted at its world premiere in Antibes, followed by a road debut at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco. Döllner said Monaco was the most fitting location for the first drive; Hülkenberg called it one of the most challenging tracks and said the team would present the Nuvolari to fans and the world there.
The Nuvolari is the first series-production vehicle to embody Audi's new design language, and it has been named 'Design of the Year' at the UK-based CAR Genius Awards. The jury praised it for bringing restraint and clarity to the supercar segment while feeling new yet unmistakably Audi. Further details are in the press kit, and the documentary is on YouTube.
Why this matters
The 405-day development cycle shows how Audi says an autonomous, focused project team with short communication lines can move from idea to car far faster than typical development. The Nuvolari is also described as Audi's fastest and most powerful road car ever and its 'technological North Star' for future models, so the project's approach and design language may shape the brand's upcoming vehicles. Buyers and enthusiasts will see the car publicly at its M…
Terms in This Story
- PS
- Pferdestärke, a German unit for horsepower; 1 PS is roughly 0.986 of a mechanical horsepower.
- prototype
- An early, working version of a vehicle built to test and validate the design before full production.
- wind tunnel
- A test facility that moves air over a vehicle to measure and refine its aerodynamics.
- design language
- A consistent visual style and set of design principles used across a brand's products.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.