Audi Nuvolari Spotted at the Nürburgring: 1,001 HP and Just 499 Units Planned: spy photo

Just a few weeks ago, Audi unveiled its new flagship supercar. According to the brand's plan, the model will finally fill the void currently occupied by the R8 a little more than two years from now. Almost immediately after its debut, pre-production prototypes wrapped in Bauhaus-inspired camouflage headed to the Nürburgring, where they were captured by photographers.

Judging by the spy shots, the Nuvolari looks genuinely aggressive. A closer look makes it clear that the Lamborghini Temerario served as the primary source of inspiration. The wedge-shaped silhouette is visible from nearly every angle, while the shape of the windshield pillars mirrors the Italian supercar so closely that it's difficult to dismiss it as coincidence. Even the side mirrors appear to have been borrowed directly.

The prototype seen testing is believed to be close to the version that will debut a little over a year from now. It features slim headlights and a relatively small grille, though the large side air intakes remain. A spoiler stretches across the entire lower edge of the front bumper, and the downforce-generating surfaces at the corners have grown noticeably.

The character line running along the rocker panels flows smoothly toward the rear, where familiar "blades" reminiscent of the old R8 are visible once again. At the back, the diffuser becomes the dominant styling element, though it doesn't extend as deeply underneath the car as expected. Audi appears to have chosen a different aerodynamic approach, including a higher cut around the wheel arches.

An electrically deployable rear spoiler is a must, while the entire rear section is packed with vents to help dissipate heat generated by the powerful drivetrain. The taillights and exhaust outlets are no longer hidden. There is very little in common with the previous R8, though one Lamborghini-like detail stands out: a glowing red light deep inside the rear fascia. This isn't decorative lighting, but rather the result of extremely high operating temperatures.

Bringing such a machine to a halt will be a carbon-ceramic braking system. The Nuvolari is expected to use a plug-in hybrid setup consisting of a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing 800 horsepower and revving to 10,000 rpm, plus three electric motors rated at 150 horsepower each, for a combined output of 1,001 hp.

Two electric motors are mounted at the front axle, while the third sits between the gasoline engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Combined torque reaches 1,586 lb-ft. Audi claims a 0-62 mph sprint in 2.6 seconds and 0-124 mph in 6.8 seconds, while top speed is rated at 217 mph.

The official debut is expected in the middle of next year, with sales scheduled to begin in 2028. Unlike the relatively mass-produced R8, however, the Nuvolari will be extremely exclusive. Production will be limited to just 499 examples.

The starting price is expected to be around $705,000 including taxes, though that's before any personalization options. Fully customized cars are likely to command significantly higher prices.