Audi Nuvolari supercar debuts in North America at Monterey Car Week
Audi brought its 499-unit Nuvolari hybrid supercar to Monterey Car Week for its North American debut, its first run on U.S. roads.
- 499 units
- 1,001 PS
- more than 350 km/h
- 17
What Happened
The Audi Nuvolari made its North American debut at Monterey Car Week, arriving just 17 days after the Audi Q9's world premiere in New York City. The supercar, limited to 499 units, also took to California's coastal roads for its first U.S. drive. Audi describes the U.S. as the world's second-largest automotive market and said the Monterey appearance underscores its strategic importance.
“While the Q9 was specifically tailored to the needs of American customers, the Nuvolari serves as a technology and design flagship for the renewal of our brand. Together, these two vehicles show that we are consistently translating our strategic direction into compelling products.”
Audi deliberately chose Monterey Car Week for the Nuvolari's first North American appearance, calling the event one of the world's most important gatherings for collector cars and luxury automobiles. The car was shown at The Quail and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, complemented by exclusive events for collectors and potential customers. Audi said it used the week to deepen engagement with opinion leaders, media, and the international collector community.
“Monterey Car Week is the pinnacle premium automotive stage for Audi to showcase the brand's first halo supercar. With the Audi Nuvolari, we're representing what Audi stands for — progress built on substance — while further igniting, energizing, and growing the brand in the United States.”
The highlight was the Nuvolari's road debut on the winding roads around Carmel-by-the-Sea, after its track debut at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. With a high-performance hybrid powertrain producing 1,001 PS and a top speed of more than 350 km/h, the Nuvolari is described as the fastest and most powerful production car in Audi's history. It combines motorsports expertise, innovative aerodynamics, and a newly developed Audi Space Frame with a carbon exterior, embodying 'Vorsprung durch Technik.'
Audi is entering the high-performance segment for the first time with the Nuvolari. Although official European presales don't begin until the fourth quarter of 2026, the supercar is already generating significant interest from buyers worldwide, and first deliveries are planned for the first half of 2027.
World premiere of the Audi Q9 in New York City, 17 days before Monterey
North American debut of the Audi Nuvolari at Monterey Car Week
Track debut of the Nuvolari
Official European presales begin
First deliveries planned
Previously from Audi
Audi previously revealed that it took only 405 days to develop the Nuvolari from first sketch to drivable prototype, with F1 drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg testing it during development.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Audi's official releases.
Why this matters
The Nuvolari is Audi's first high-performance supercar and its fastest production car ever, signaling the brand's push into a new segment. With the U.S. called the world's second-largest auto market, Audi is using the debut to show its product renewal to American buyers and collectors.
Terms in This Story
- PS
- Pferdestärke, a metric unit of horsepower commonly used in Europe.
- Halo supercar
- A flagship, high-performance model intended to draw attention to a brand and showcase its capabilities.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.