Audi’s rich history has been a bit obscured in recent years by the marque’s onslaught of  rather homogenous crossovers with various single letter and number combinations as monikers—a nameplate convention as exciting as, well, it’s not very exciting. Within the last 12 months or so, however, the marque has put its foot down decisively on the throttle when it comes to a public display of its rich legacy of innovation and performance.  

Within that timeframe, Audi has revealed a future-forward design language with its all-electric Concept C sports car, it entered a factory team for the 2026 Formula 1 season, and, today, Audi unveiled what it touts as “the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in the brand’s history”—the 987 hp Audi Nuvolari hybrid supercar.

Last year, as part of our Best of the Best automotive coverage, we opined that hybridization should be the area of power-train focus, stating; “What was once perceived as a temporary fix may, however, prove to be the golden mean.” In the same essay, we quoted Jonathan Hall, head of research and advanced engineering at U.K.-based consulting group Mahle Powertrain, who noted; “when extreme performance is needed, then hybrids provide a more compelling answer.” Audi is obviously on the same page.

According to the official press release, the Nuvolari pairs a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8—delivering 800 hp and 538.4 ft lbs of torque—with a trio of 147.5 hp (110 kW) axial flux electric motors. Two of the latter are located at the front axle and generate a total of 1,585.7 ft lbs of torque, while the remaining one is set between the eight-cylinder mill and the transmission. Juice comes from a 7.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. As for some of the key the performance specs that result from this configuration, the zero-to-62 mph time is cited as 2.6 seconds, and the top speed is claimed to be greater than 217 mph—for a production Audi! (Interestingly, the 912 hp Audi RS e-tron GT Performance—a 2026 Robb Report Car of the Year contender—is limited to 155 mph.)

As for the drive experience, we have no idea yet what that’s like as the cover has just been lifted, but the Nuvolari has four primary drive modes that comprise E-Hybrid (the all-electric mode), Balanced (as the name suggests, it optimizes both the pairing of the ICE power plant and electric motors), Dynamic (delivering more athleticism), and Dynamic+ (even more athleticism and visceral engagement). In addition, there is a Track Mode which can be fine-tuned for wet or dry conditions, as well a race optimization and even the ability to turn the traction control off.

The press release also mentions that the Nuvolari debuts Audi’s combined use of its space-frame chassis with a carbon body. Another premiere, at least on Audi’s production models, are it use of forged center-lock wheels.

As for the body style, it’s defined by active aero that has been inspired by those of its Formula 1 cars. This is most noticeable with the retractable, multi-positional rear wing, able to disappear completely, or activate to adjust for either low or high downforce as required. There’s even a Drag Reduction System that can be selected from the steering wheel when it’s time to explore the car’s straight-line prowess. And while it’s designed to work on its own, the rear wing can also be put in a manual mode, with the driver selecting its position at will with the turn of a dial.

Also key to this supercar’s handling is the brake-by-wire setup that, per Audi’s press release, offers “precise interaction between hydraulic braking and electric deceleration.” At the front, the Nuvolari relies on 10-piston fixed-caliper carbon brakes, while at the back it has a four-piston-caliper setup. And Audi claims that enhanced brake-cooling measures present a  21 percent improvement “compared with conventional carbon-ceramic systems.”

When it comes to the interior, there’s not a lot to go on yet, other than it features a minimalist aesthetic, bolstered by carbon-fiber-supported seats, but from what we can see so far, dash controls will be more screen-driven than analog.

Named after last century’s Italian racer Tazo Nuvolari, Audi’s supercar is a declaration of intent to once again wow the market with the same automotive tour de force the four-rings marque was synonymous with early on. Its great hybrid hope, limited to 499 examples, and is expected to be available by the middle of next year.

Click here for more photos of the Audi Nuvolari supercar.