Audi plans to launch the 2028 Nuvolari, a new model that marks the brand's return to a nameplate last used in 2003. Details remain sparse, but the vehicle signals Audi's intention to expand its lineup in the coming years.
The original Nuvolari, produced from 2003 to 2009, was a limited-edition roadster built on the A4 platform. It carried a 3.2-liter V6 engine producing 250 horsepower and represented Audi's bid at a lightweight, driver-focused sports car. The new iteration will operate in a different market context. Audi currently faces pressure to electrify its fleet while balancing performance enthusiasts' demands for combustion-powered alternatives.
The timing of a 2028 debut places the Nuvolari squarely in Audi's transition period. By then, the brand will have expanded its electric vehicle roster significantly, including next-generation Q4 e-tron models and successors to the e-tron GT. Reviving the Nuvolari nameplate suggests Audi wants to maintain some gasoline-powered performance offerings alongside its EV push, similar to how BMW reserves the M division for high-performance variants across multiple powertrains.
Speculation centers on whether the new Nuvolari will use a hybrid powertrain, a traditional internal combustion engine, or possibly an electric motor. Given Audi's corporate mandate under Volkswagen to reduce tailpipe emissions, a plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid setup appears most likely. The model could potentially share components with the A5 platform currently under development.
Audi hasn't released official specifications or design renderings. The company has only confirmed the nameplate's return and a 2028 market entry. Industry sources suggest the car will