Audi has revealed the Nuvolari, the fastest and most powerful production vehicle in its history. The hybrid supercar produces 1,001 PS (736 kW) from a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo paired with three axial flux electric motors. Only 499 will be built, starting at €600,000.

The V8 alone delivers 800 PS and revs to 10,000 rpm, territory previously reserved for motorsport. Each of the three electric motors adds 110 kW. Combined, the powertrain launches the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed above 350 km/h.

The Nuvolari shares its platform with the Lamborghini Temerario, which produces 920 PS. But Audi pushed the output higher and added its own tech, including a system called quattro predictive ride. It processes steering angle, acceleration, yaw rate, and grip level in real time, coordinating the electric motors, brakes, and aerodynamic surfaces as a unified network.

The body is almost entirely carbon fibre reinforced polymer, built on an Audi Space Frame. Active aerodynamic surfaces, inspired by Formula 1, adjust position to generate downforce on demand. A vertical frame made of 64 individually angled tiles channels air through a concealed S-duct.

It is a plug-in hybrid, not a pure EV, at a time when Europe’s cumulative EV investment has passed €200 billion. Weighted fuel consumption sits at 11.3 l/100 km combined with 7.8 kWh/100 km of electric use. CO2 emissions land at 270 g/km. Those are preliminary figures, but they make clear this car is built for performance, not efficiency.

The timing is notable. Audi had signalled a push toward full electrification, but the Nuvolari is a combustion-led halo car arriving as the brand enters Formula 1 in 2026 and works to rebuild its performance credentials. It also comes as foreign automakers struggle to compete in China, where domestic brands now control 70% of the market. CEO Gernot Döllner said the car shows how Audi is “taking ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ into a new era.”

The name honours Tazio Nuvolari, one of the most celebrated racing drivers to represent the four rings. Ferdinand Porsche once called him “the greatest driver of the past, the present and the future.” Order books open in late 2026, with deliveries beginning in the first half of 2027.

Toyota and Lexus may have just shelved one of the most exciting electric vehicle concepts shown in recent years. According to reports from Automotive News and Nikkei Asia, Toyota has halted development of the next-generation Lexus EV that was expected to be based on the futuristic LF-ZC concept.

For EV enthusiasts and Lexus fans, the news is particularly disappointing because the LF-ZC represented one of the clearest signs that Lexus was finally preparing to make a serious leap into the premium electric future.

One of Lexus’ most ambitious EV projects has reportedly been paused

The Lexus LF-ZC concept was first revealed in late 2023 as part of Toyota’s next-generation EV strategy. The sleek fastback sedan featured aggressive aerodynamic styling, an ultra-modern cabin, steer-by-wire technology, and promises of significantly improved battery efficiency and range.

Toyota had originally planned to launch a production version around 2026 as one of the brand’s most advanced EVs yet. The vehicle was also expected to introduce several next-generation manufacturing technologies, including giga-casting and advanced software-driven architecture.

Now, however, reports suggest the automaker has suspended development of the project while reassessing EV demand, production priorities, and broader market conditions. Toyota reportedly told suppliers that the LF-ZC-based EV program was being halted while the company reevaluates future plans. According to Automotive News, Toyota cited fluctuations in EV demand and the workload tied to vehicle planning and manufacturing as key reasons behind the decision.

The move comes during a complicated moment for the global EV industry. While electric vehicle adoption continues growing overall, several automakers have recently slowed or delayed EV expansion plans amid softer-than-expected demand growth in some markets, rising production costs, and uncertainty around charging infrastructure.

Why this matters

The cancellation or delay matters because the LF-ZC was not just another concept car. It represented Lexus’ attempt to redefine itself for the electric era.

Compared to Lexus’ current EV lineup, which has often been criticized for being conservative or late compared to rivals, the LF-ZC looked genuinely futuristic. It promised longer range, lighter construction, more efficient batteries, and software-focused features designed to compete directly against premium EV brands.

The decision also reinforces Toyota’s much more cautious approach toward full electrification compared to companies like Tesla, BYD, and even traditional rivals rapidly expanding EV lineups. Toyota has consistently argued that hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen, and EVs should coexist rather than pushing aggressively toward fully electric vehicles alone.

What happens next

Toyota has not officially killed the LF-ZC entirely, meaning the project could still return later in revised form. The company is still expected to continue developing next-generation EV technologies, including solid-state batteries and new software platforms for future Lexus vehicles.

But for now, one of the most visually striking and technologically ambitious Lexus EVs appears stuck in limbo. And honestly, that is frustrating. Because in a market increasingly crowded with similar-looking electric crossovers, the LF-ZC actually felt bold, futuristic, and different – exactly the kind of EV many enthusiasts hoped Lexus would finally build.