Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has hinted at the possibility of an open-top version of the Nuvolari supercar. This model could become even more exclusive than the coupe, whose production is limited to 499 units. The car is equipped with a hybrid powertrain producing 987 horsepower.
Unexpected debut and limited production
Yesterday, Audi introduced the new Nuvolari supercar, which came as a real surprise. Deliveries of the model are scheduled for next year. Although the car is positioned as the successor to the R8, it will be significantly rarer due to a production limit of 499 units. However, as it turns out, this number may only apply to the coupe.
Hint at the roadster
Top Gear journalists asked Mr. Döllner whether 499 Nuvolari Spyder roadsters would follow the coupe. He answered “no,” but when asked whether this meant the Spyder would not be produced at all or that fewer than 499 would be made, Döllner reportedly laughed and said:
“Not 499.”
This hints that an even more exclusive open-top version will follow the coupe. Such a development raises a number of questions.
Audi Concept C
Which roof will they choose?
One of the main questions is the type of roof. The R8 Spyder had a soft top, while the Concept C concept car featured a rigid folding roof. It is quite likely that the Nuvolari will follow the same path, as the design of the models is similar, although this will add significant weight to the car.
Technical specifications
The coupe features a minimalist carbon fiber body and a high-performance hybrid powertrain. It consists of a mid-mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, a 7.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, and three axial electric motors. This system provides the all-wheel-drive supercar with a total output of 987 hp (736 kW / 1001 hp), allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds. The top speed exceeds 350 km/h.
Will the Spyder become an even more desirable collector’s item than the already rare coupe? Considering the Audi boss’s hint, this seems quite likely. A production limit of fewer than 499 units for the open-top version would make it a true rarity, and the choice between a soft or hard roof will be a key factor affecting the car’s weight and character. Given the technological foundation of the coupe, the Spyder promises to be not just beautiful, but also exceptionally fast.