The Spirit of the R8 Lives On: Audi’s New V8 Hybrid Could Wear the Nuvolari Name

[Source: TheSupercarBlog]

Audi fans might want to sit down for this one. Ever since the final R8 GT rolled off the assembly line, enthusiasts have been wondering if Ingolstadt would ever build another true supercar. Now, it appears we may finally have our answer. According to a report from TheSupercarBlog, Audi is preparing to unveil a new hybrid sports car concept on June 4, just ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. More importantly, this could be the long-awaited spiritual successor to the R8, and it may borrow its powertrain from one of Lamborghini’s newest supercars.

A few months ago, we drove the Lamborghini Temerario and came away convinced that its platform would make an incredible foundation for a future Audi halo car. At the time, that seemed like wishful thinking. Today, it looks like a very real possibility. What’s fueling the speculation isn’t just anonymous sources or internet rumors. Audi has released an official teaser video referencing legendary racing driver Tazio Nuvolari, complete with the date June 4 prominently displayed at the end. The teaser has sparked speculation that Audi could revive the Nuvolari name for its new flagship performance model.

Audi’s social media post reads, “The magic name of Nuvolari. The man who raced every race in a yellow jumper.” That could be a subtle hint about the car’s launch color, but enthusiasts are far more interested in what’s hiding beneath the bodywork.

If the new model shares its hardware with the Temerario, we’re talking about a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 paired with three electric motors. In Lamborghini form, the setup produces a staggering 907 horsepower and revs all the way to 10,000 rpm. That’s roughly 300 horsepower more than the most powerful R8 ever built.

For years, Audi fans have been asking for a true R8 successor. If these reports are accurate, the wait may finally be over. With June 4 just around the corner, it feels a lot like Christmas Eve for Audi enthusiasts.