Nuvolari: Audi reveals shock new V8 supercar to replace R8

Mohr added: “The Concept C was the visualisation of the new design language, but 'Radical Next' can be more than design, it can be product and technology.”

The powertrain is based around the same 4.0-litre V8 used in the Temarario, which on its own offers 789bhp and 538lb ft of torque and can rev up to 10,000rpm.

That is supplemented by three axial flux electric motors, each of which produces 148bhp.

Two of the motors are oil-cooled and mounted on the front axle, delivering up to 1586lb ft. The third motor is mounted between the mid-mounted V8 and the transmission. The motors draw power from a 7.3kWh battery, compared with a 3.8kWh unit in the Temarario.

Total system output is 987bhp, which is notably 80bhp more than the Temerario, despite the individual maximum output of the engine and motors being the same. The increase is due to a bespoke torque map and software and the larger battery.

It’s enough to power the Nuvolari from 0-62mph in 2.6sec – 0.1sec quicker than the Temarario – and onto 124mph in 6.8sec. Its top speed is more than 217mph. 

Mohr said: “The character of the two cars is completely different. If you would drive the car, you would not know that there is a similarity of the powertrain, you would never come on the idea, because this car really drives more from the Audi perspective. It gives you a very direct feeling on being relaxed and fast, but you can be fast like hell. An Audi always has to be stuck on the performance daily-user capability and a very high precision.”

The hybrid powertrain features an advanced torque-vectoring system that is branded as Quattro Predictive Ride. Audi refers to it as the “next generation of all-wheel-drive”. 

It essentially takes data from various sensors, measuring steering angle, acceleration, yaw rate and grip to distribute torque to the wheels as needed. It does this by controlling the front motors and can also utilise the brakes as needed and adjust the active aerodynamics to reduce slip.

There are various drive modes, selected via a steering wheel-mounted dial: E-Hybrid, Balanced, Dynamic, Dynamic+ and Track.

The Nuvolari's energy management system can adapt to driving conditions, grip levels and "driver intent", blending coasting and brake recuperation to optimise energy recovery.

The front motors are responsible for a significant portion of the braking energy on the front axle, and in total up to 0.3g of deceleration can be generated by the electric system alone.

The launch control function also makes used of the stored electric energy to offer maximum acceleration.

The Nuvolari sits on 21in wheels, with Bridgestone Potenza race tyres measuring 255/35 at the front and 325/30 at the rear. 

The brake-by-wire system with carbon-ceramic discs has been designed to blend with the energy recovery functions. There are ten-piston fixed callipers with 420x40mm discs on the front axle and four-piston 410x32mm discs on the rear.

Audi claims the cooling system increases heat dissipation by up to 21% compared with normal carbon-ceramic systems and claims the system can handle deceleration loads on par with an F1 car.

Chassis and aerodynamics

The Nuvolari is built around a spaceframe body and is the first production Audi to feature a carbonfibre exterior, with most components made from carbonfibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), similar to an F1 car.

The various parts are pre-shaped and then cured at high pressure and temperature, a process that is claimed to maximise structural performance while minimising weight.

Certain parts of the car that are exposed to high temperatures use heat-resistant materials.

The exterior bodywork has been honed for aerodynamic performance and includes a front splitter and dramatic rear diffuser. 

Audi F1 drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg are said to have produced feedback to fine-tune the aerodynamic development.

Also derived from F1 are the Nuvolari's active aerodynamics, which can balance downforce, drag and aerodynamic balance. The active rear wing has three settings: Closed, Low Downforce (LD) and High Downforce (HD).

There are large front air intakes to aid the cooling of the brakes and boost thermal management of the motors, plus an S-duct (technology previously seen in F1) that adds downforce at high speeds and provides extra cooling for the powertrain.

In Dynamic, Dynamic+ and Track modes, the rear wing operates automatically and will shift to the LD position on straights to boost top speed. There's a manually selectable drag reduction system (DRS) that further lowers the wing. Under braking, the wing will then automatically adjust to HD position; in this mode, the Nuvolari can generate more than 400kg of downforce.

Audi wouldn’t be drawn on the weight of the Nuvolari but, with its carbonfibre body and aluminium frame, it's expected to tip the scales lighter than the 1690kg (dry) Temerario.

Design

Thanks to its short 14-month development time, the Nuvolari will be the first production Audi to feature the new design language being introduced by new styling chief Massimo Frascella.

It therefore gives strong clues as to what to expect from the next generation of the firm's more mainstream models. 

The exterior is largely shaped by the aerodynamics, with an interpretation of the reduced, vertically oriented 'Singleframe' grille previewed by the Concept C - which will be a feature of the next-generation of Audi models. 

The square grille on the Nuvolari is reminiscent of the one featured on the Concept C but features a number of small square elements, which are angled to optimise aerodynamics.

The version of the Nuvolari shown at the launch event was finished in Titanium, Audi's new signature colour, as already seen on its F1 cars and the Concept C. 

Notably, at the rear of the car the Audi rings found on the top of the adjustable rear wing are milled from aluminium and then set flush inside the carbonfibre bodywork.

The interior also showcases the brand’s renewed focus on simplicity, with what it claims is a “driver-centric approach”. The key functions are all placed within the driver’s field of vision.