The Audi Nuvolari has been named Design of the Year at the 2026 UK-based CAR Genius Awards, earning international recognition for its progressive design, clear proportions, and unmistakable Audi character.
The award marks an important milestone for the Nuvolari, the first series-production vehicle to embody Audi’s new design language. The CAR Genius Awards jury praised the supercar for bringing restraint and clarity to the segment while creating a form that feels distinctly new yet immediately recognizable as an Audi.
More than a showcase of design, the Nuvolari serves as a technological and creative “North Star” for the brand, pointing toward the direction of future Audi models.
The car was developed at an unusually rapid pace. From the first sketch to a drivable prototype, the Nuvolari project took just 405 days, demonstrating a new approach to vehicle development at Audi.
A focused, cross-functional team brought together specialists in design, vehicle technology, aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and powertrain development from the beginning of the project. Short communication lines, quick decisions, and close collaboration allowed the team to move rapidly while maintaining the standards expected of an Audi flagship.
The development journey stretched across Europe. Initial design work began in Ingolstadt, followed by cold-weather testing in Lapland, lightweight construction work in Neckarsulm, wind-tunnel development in Ingolstadt, suspension tuning in southern Spain, and high-speed testing at Nardò in Italy.
The final stages of development also drew on Formula 1 expertise. Audi Revolut F1 Team drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg tested the Nuvolari under demanding conditions. Bortoleto drove the car at the Nardò Technical Center, while Hülkenberg evaluated it at the test track in Neustadt an der Donau.
Hülkenberg highlighted the Nuvolari’s acceleration and full system output of more than 1,000 PS, while Bortoleto praised its speed, sound, and driving character.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner described the Nuvolari as a strong example of how quickly Audi can bring an idea to life. Rouven Mohr, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, has also described it as the fastest and most powerful road car Audi has ever produced.
The Audi Nuvolari made its world premiere in Antibes on June 4, 2026, before making its road debut around the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco.
Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella said the project demonstrates what can be achieved through the right mindset, close teamwork, and rapid decision-making.
With its Design of the Year recognition, the Audi Nuvolari stands as more than a high-performance supercar. It represents the beginning of a new design chapter for Audi, combining progressive aesthetics, advanced technology, and extreme performance in a form that previews the future direction of the four rings.
