Audi Nuvolari Prototype: 1,000-hp Hybrid Flagshipaudi (audi)The question of what will succeed the Audi R8 has finally been answered. Meet the all-new Audi Nuvolari, Audi's first high-performance hybrid. Although just a European preproduction prototype for now, it seems pretty dang close to production. And its claimed performance figures, at least these preliminary European ones, are preposterous.From a 4.0-liter twin-turbo hybrid V-8, the Nuvolari will produce 1,000 combined hp. That's 800 hp from the internal-combustion engine, which can rev up to an obscene 10,000 rpm, and 110 kW from three axial flux motors. Zero to 62 mph happens in an estimated 2.6 seconds, and top speed is more than 217 mph.Like the R8, the Nuvolari is mid-engined, and wears familiar but futuristic Audi styling cues. But rather than the R8's flowing lines, this new hybrid employs many upright and rectangular shapes, which contrast sharply against the unbroken roundedness of the wheel arches. From the rear, it looks distinctly Huracán-ish.AdvertisementAdvertisementSeeing as Audi and Lamborghini are very closely related, we'll note here the Nuvolari's credentials sound nearly identical to those of the Lamborghini Temerario.Deliveries are set to start in the first half of next year and will be limited to 499 cars. At this time, it's unconfirmed whether the Nuvolari will arrive for the U.S. market, as Audi says that's "subject to a future announcement." However, seeing as though its Lamborghini counterpart is indeed available here, we're fairly confident we'll get a bite of that first run of cars.Keep an eye on this space for a longer and more detailed story on the Nuvolari.Photo credit: audiPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audiAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audiAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audiPhoto credit: audi