The Audi Nuvolari made its North American debut at Monterey Car Week, bringing the supercar — limited to 499 units — to the U.S. market for the first time. The showcase came 17 days after the world premiere of the Audi Q9 in New York City, a sequence the company says underscores the strategic importance of the U.S. market. During the week, the Nuvolari also completed its road debut on the coastal roads near Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Highlights
- North American debut staged at Monterey Car Week, with the car displayed at The Quail and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
- Production limited to 499 units worldwide
- 987 horsepower (1,001 PS) of system output and a top speed above 217 mph (350 km/h)
- European presales open in the fourth quarter of 2026; first deliveries planned for the first half of 2027
Why Did Audi Choose Monterey Car Week?
Audi selected Monterey Car Week for the Nuvolari’s first North American appearance, citing the event’s standing as a gathering for collector cars and luxury automobiles. The car was shown at The Quail and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with the public display supplemented by closed events for collectors and prospective customers. Audi says it used the week to engage directly with opinion leaders, media, and the international collector community.
“Monterey Car Week is the pinnacle premium automotive stage for Audi to showcase the brand’s first halo supercar. With the Audi Nuvolari, we’re representing what Audi stands for — progress built on substance — while further igniting, energizing, and growing the brand in the United States.”
— Vito Paladino, President of Audi of America
Two Debuts Anchor Audi’s U.S. Positioning
Audi frames the Q9 premiere in New York and the Nuvolari’s North American showing as a paired statement in what it calls the world’s second-largest automotive market.
“While the Q9 was specifically tailored to the needs of American customers, the Nuvolari serves as a technology and design flagship for the renewal of our brand. Together, these two vehicles show that we are consistently translating our strategic direction into compelling products,” says Audi CEO Gernot Döllner.
Road Debut in California
The Nuvolari’s first drive on American roads took place on the routes around Carmel-by-the-Sea, near the Monterey Peninsula. The outing followed the car’s track debut at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix.
Audi’s Fastest Production Car
The car carries the same headline figures Audi disclosed at its world premiere: 987 horsepower (1,001 PS) of system output, a top speed of more than 217 mph (350 km/h), and a high-performance hybrid powertrain the company says makes it the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in Audi’s history. Audi describes the supercar as a technology showcase built around motorsport expertise, aerodynamics work, and a newly developed Audi Space Frame with a carbon exterior.
Preliminary Consumption Figures
Audi lists preliminary WLTP figures for the near-production prototype shown at Monterey:
- Combined weighted fuel consumption: 20.8 mpg (11.3 l/100 km)
- Combined weighted power consumption: 12.6 kWh per 100 miles (7.8 kWh/100 km)
- Combined weighted CO2 emissions: 434 g/mile (270 g/km), CO2 class G
- Fuel consumption with battery discharged: 16.0 mpg (14.7 l/100 km)
All values are preliminary and were determined under the WLTP procedure, which is not directly comparable to EPA test cycles used for U.S. window stickers.
Presales and Deliveries
Audi says presales in Europe do not open until the fourth quarter of 2026, with first deliveries planned for the first half of 2027. The company reports significant buyer interest ahead of that, pointing to the response at the car’s most recent public appearances, which have included a UK debut in London.
