Audi has rebuilt the legendary 1935 Rennlimousine, a streamlined speed-record machine that achieved 203 mph nearly 90 years ago. The reconstructed vehicle will make its public debut climbing the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill course this summer.
The original Rennlimousine represented peak German automotive engineering in the 1930s. Its 5.5-liter V-16 engine, producing around 550 horsepower, powered it to that remarkable 203 mph top speed. The car's torpedo-shaped body minimized aerodynamic drag, a design philosophy that wouldn't become standard until decades later. That single speed run made it one of the fastest vehicles on Earth at the time.
Audi's decision to resurrect this machine reflects growing enthusiasm among heritage brands for celebrating pre-war engineering excellence. The rebuild required meticulous documentation and reverse-engineering, as original manufacturing records remained incomplete. Specialists had to source period-correct materials and fabrication methods while ensuring the car could safely handle modern testing.
The Goodwood appearance matters beyond nostalgia. It places the Rennlimousine alongside contemporary performance cars, offering enthusiasts and engineers a visceral comparison between 1930s engineering and today's technology. A 203 mph run in 1935 required a V-16 and streamlining; modern hypercars exceed that speed with smaller engines and sophisticated electronics.
This project also positions Audi within a competitive narrative about automotive heritage. Mercedes-Benz and other German manufacturers regularly showcase pre-war racers and speed machines at festivals and museums. Audi's move demonstrates that even companies with less prominent racing histories can leverage their engineering archives to build brand prestige.
The Rennlimousine won't attempt a modern speed record. Instead, it will simply climb