Bugatti isn't the only automaker with a new, V16-powered, mid-engined speed machine. Audi just announced it would get in on the fun with a supercar of its very own. There's one little catch, however, because it's based on a design from the 1930s. Built to commemorate the 1935 Auto Union Rennlimousine "Lucca," this one-off recreation matches its forebear almost exactly, from the streamlined bodywork and ultra-light construction to its V16 engine mounted behind the driver. A 1930s German Icon, Recommissioned Today Audi Tradition, the company's classic maintenance and parts specialist, turned to the vintage racing experts at Crosthwaite & Gardiner for the modern Lucca. Using original blueprints and period-correct construction methods, the English restoration shop meticulously handcrafted every single part of the car, including manually forming its sleek streamliner body – inspiration for the Audi Concept C, by the way – over an intricate wood frame. C&G finished the project in early 2026 after three-plus years of work, and last month, Audi put the reborn Lucca Rennlimousine into testing.1935 Audi Auto Union Lucca Recreation Construction In Progress 1Its first stop was a modern wind tunnel, where the vintage Auto Union racer scored 0.43 coefficient of drag. Although that doesn't sound particularly impressive by today's standards, it was a feat for 1935 considering a contemporary Mercedes-Benz sedan had a Cd of around 0.60. The fabulous Auto Union racer will make its official public appearance this month in Lucca, Italy, the same city where it reached a top speed of 326.975 kilometers per hour (203.2 miles per hour), earning it the eponymous nickname. Audi will also bring it to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, where we hope to see it screaming up the hill. Specs That Are Impressive Even Today The 1935 Auto Union Lucca Rennlimousine (German for racing sedan) was borne of an era when the automaker was in fierce competition with its native rival, Daimer-Benz AG. The two companies swapped places atop the record charts and Grand Prix podium over and over again throughout the 1930s, and in 1934, a specially prepped Mercedes racer set a flying-mile record on a stretch of deserted Hungarian highway with an average speed of 196.7 mph. Suddenly, Auto Union's engineers had to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to one up their rivals in Stuttgart. 1935 Audi Auto Union Lucca Recreation Engine 1The project started with a contemporary 1934 Type A racer, with its 4.4-liter V16 engine bored out to 5.0 liters, with a single supercharger helping it produce 371 horsepower. Using Mercedes' record-breaker as inspiration, Auto Union developed new bodywork for the car, testing it in a wind tunnel in both open-roof and enclosed configurations; the latter was chosen for the record attempt. The suspension and brakes were taken wholesale from the Grand Prix car, and extensive efforts to reduce mass led to a running weight of around 2,000 pounds. The car was completed in December 1934 and put into testing the following month.Finally, on February 15, 1935, the Auto Union Rennlimousine took to a closed stretch of highway in Lucca, Italy, with gathered press and spectators to observe the record run. With legendary Auto Union racing driver Hans Stuck behind the wheel, the streamliner completed two flying-start mile runs – one in each direction – and attained an average speed of 199 mph, edging out the previous-year Mercedes record by a little over 2 mph. More impressive still, the car completed a kilometer section of road in just 11 seconds, corresponding to a top speed of 203.2 mph. 1935 Audi Auto Union Lucca Historic Photo 1 A Special One-Off With Provenance The Auto Union Rennlimousine "Lucca" is unfortunately a one-off project, and it will live its life as part of Audi's heritage collection. There are precious few concessions to modernity in the car, but the automaker did make one change, subbing in a rebuilt Auto Union 6.0-liter for the original 5.0-liter – it makes a period-correct 513 hp. The company made that decision when considering long-term reliability, which we hope means it plans to trot its new toy out as often as possible.Source: Audi
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