Audi Nuvolari supercar is ‘unlikely to ever turn a profit’ despite £500k-plus price tag
Nuvolari will be the brand’s most powerful production car.
Audi has admitted its £533,000-plus Nuvolari supercar – the fastest production Audi ever made – is unlikely to ever turn a profit.
Speaking at the launch of the 987bhp hybrid supercar in Monaco, Audi designer Stephan Fahr-Becker revealed that ‘at best’ the car would break even.
Only 499 of the hand-built hybrid supercars will be produced, with just 20 of them coming to the UK.
Fahr-Becker said: “We don’t earn money with this car. If the profit is there, it is going to be minor.
“We don’t do it for the profit, but we’re happy to do it because it’s time to do something.”
The Nuvolari, which costs in the region of £533,000, features a twin-turbo V8 with three electric motors that combine to produce 987bhp.
It is capable of hitting 60mph in just 2.6 seconds, 124mph in 6.8 seconds and can top 217mph.
Audi UK managing director José Miguel Aparicio told Car Dealer Magazine that the brand had flown five high-net-worth customers out to Monaco to see the car.
He told the magazine that “all five” ordered a Nuvolari within 24 hours of it being revealed with one opting for a £100,000 optional extra which exposes the car’s carbon fibre bodywork.
Aparicio confirmed the sales were the “most expensive Audis” ever sold in the UK.
Audi later contradicted the designer’s claim, issuing an official statement.
The car maker said: ‘While producing rare and special brand shaping supercars comes at a cost, the project will indeed still be profitable for the company overall.’
The launch, which took place on Thursday evening, was shrouded in secrecy with even top executives at the car manufacturer required to sign non-disclosure agreements before they were shown details of the car.
Customers were flown out to Monaco without even knowing a car would be launched. The car maker took over a billionaire’s £200m villa in the heart of the principality for the unveiling which took place against the Formula 1 weekend backdrop. Audi finished 11th and 13th in the race which was won by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.