Only 499 will be built, but Kiwis already want Audi's new $1m supercar

Audi New Zealand says it has already received significant interest in the upcoming Nuvolari supercar, despite the limited-run flagship not entering production until 2027 and expected pricing well north of $1 million.

Speaking to CarExpert, a spokesperson for Audi New Zealand confirmed there has been "a lot of customer demand" for the hybrid supercar since it was revealed globally earlier this month.

According to the local distributor, prospective buyers have wasted little time making enquiries.

"After the global launch, customers were immediately asking, 'How do I get one?'"

The level of interest isn't entirely surprising given New Zealand's appetite for Audi's high-performance RS models. Audi told CarExpert at the public debut of the RS 5 Avant that New Zealanders buys more RS-badged vehicles per capita than any other market globally.

While Audi New Zealand stopped short of confirming any local allocation, it suggested pricing will comfortably exceed the seven-figure mark.

Asked whether the Nuvolari would cost around $1 million locally, Audi's response was blunt.

"No, it will be more."

That would make the Nuvolari the most expensive production Audis ever offered in New Zealand, should any examples ultimately be allocated to local customers.

Audi unveiled the Nuvolari ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix earlier this month, catching the automotive world by surprise with what is effectively a spiritual successor to the departed R8.

The mid-engined flagship shares its core architecture with the Lamborghini Temerario, continuing a long-standing relationship that previously saw the R8 share components with the Gallardo and Huracán.

Just 499 examples will be produced worldwide, making the Nuvolari significantly rarer than any previous R8 generation.

European reports have suggested a starting price of around £500,000 (approximately NZ$1.1 million) before taxes and local costs, though Audi New Zealand's comments indicate the final drive-away figure here could be substantially higher.

Named after legendary Italian racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, the new flagship combines a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with three electric motors for total outputs of 736kW and 730Nm. Audi claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.6 seconds, a 0-200km/h time of 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of more than 349km/h.

The V8 engine alone produces 588kW and revs to 10,000rpm, helping the Nuvolari eclipse the related Lamborghini Temerario's 677kW output.

Formula 1-derived technology also features prominently. Active aerodynamics include a deployable rear wing and a drag reduction system (DRS), while Audi claims the car can generate more than 400kg of downforce in its most aggressive setting.

For many Audi enthusiasts, the Nuvolari fills a void left by the R8. Audi's iconic supercar arrived in New Zealand in 2007 and remained on sale in various forms until production ended in 2024. 

Over its lifespan the R8 evolved from a 4.2-litre V8-powered coupe into a V10-powered flagship sharing much of its DNA with Lamborghini's Gallardo and Huracán, becoming one of the most successful and longest-running European supercars of the modern era. 

The Nuvolari now picks up where the R8 left off, albeit with significantly more power, technology, and exclusivity.

Production is scheduled to begin during the first half of 2027, though Audi has yet to confirm how many examples, if any, will be allocated to New Zealand.

With only 499 units planned globally and local buyers already lining up, securing a build slot could prove more difficult than finding the money to pay for one.