Mat Watson reviews the Audi Nuvolari
Car changing is a big deal
This is the new Audi Nuvolari – an ultra-limited supercar which is based on the Lamborghini Temerario. Is it a worthy successor to the Audi R8? Mat Watson has been driving it to find out.
When I first saw pictures of the new Audi Nuvolari, I was a bit critical about the design. I thought it was too angular, and looked too much like a Tesla Cybercab. However, now that I’ve seen it in the metal I’ve changed my tune.
I reckon it looks dramatic and feels different to everything else on the road. It’s not a case of form over function either, because every vent and fin you see on this car serves a purpose – whether that’s cooling or aerodynamics.
You get 20-inch wheels on the front and 21-inch rims at the back, as well as an active rear wing which can produce up to 400kg of downforce. There’s no plastic to be seen either. The grilles are made of milled aluminium, and the body is made entirely of carbon fibre.
The Nuvolari is just as exceptional inside. It’s a clean and simple dashboard layout, and the quality is unmatched by anything else on the market. The air vents are made of solid metal, as are most of the switches, and everything else is covered in expensive-feeling leather and suede.
Practicality is pretty naff though. There are no cup holders or door bins, so good luck keeping a drink with you. Not that you’d want to, because this car is so fast that you’d almost certainly spill it.
The Nuvolari is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, mated to a trio of electric motors. It’s the same setup as you’ll find in the Lamborghini Temerario, but while that car puts out 920hp, the Nuvolari has 1,000hp.
It’ll do 0-62mph in 2.6 seconds, before going onto a top speed of 270mph. I was disappointed with the engine noise though. It sounds a bit industrial when you rev it out, unlike the lovely V10 engine you used to get in the R8.
I had the chance to drive the car on track, and while it was impressive I do think a Porsche 911 GT3 RS is better. The Nuvolari’s steering, while precise, lacks a bit of feeling and feedback when you’re driving quickly. That said, you can get the tail out around corners pretty easily. It’s a playful car, just not quite as engaging as the Porsche.
Where the Nuvolari impressed me most was on the road, because even with the adaptive dampers in track mode it’s actually very comfortable over bumps. Visibility is also excellent, thanks in part to the rear-view camera. It’s easier to drive in town than a Lamborghini Temerario.
You can also drive around using electric power alone for around 12 miles, which means you can hear all the onlookers yelling compliments at you. I was stopped multiple times by people on the street telling me how cool this car looks, and that brings me to my final verdict.
If you’re looking for a supercar which is the best on track, I’d buy a Porsche 911 GT3 RS instead. However, I still love the Audi Nuvolari. It’s still impressive on track, but it’s also lovely to drive on the road and it feels really special inside. It’ll also turn heads wherever it goes, it’s just a shame that they’re all sold out.
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