There's no denying some TT coupe influence in the concept's profile, especially the shape of the shallow side glass. From its front three-quarter view the A-pillars and arcing roofline are also reminiscent of the popular sports car, as well its rigid shoulder line dives steeply downward as it bends over the front fenders, edging past uniquely shaped LED headlamp clusters and large brake ventilation ducts at each lower side of the front fascia.
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| The uniquely shaped LED headlamp clusters and huge grill make the Nuvolari's front-end stunningly dramatic. (Photo: Audi) |
Nuvolari's grille is its most dramatic design element. Looking large enough to scoop up cats, dogs and wayward toddlers, Audi's centerpiece pulls cues from the 2002 RSR and 2000 Rosemeyer concepts, both of which are inspirationally derived from pre war Auto Union V16 Type C mid-engine Grand Prix race cars, more popularly known as the Silver Arrows. Incidentally, Auto Union was the result of the amalgamation of four marques, Wanderer, DKW, Audi and Horch, each represented in the brand's four ring emblem. In 1969 the automaker merged with NSU and was renamed Audi NSU, and then finally simply became Audi in 1985.
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| Audi's concept is named after Italy's daring Tazio Nuvolari (1892 - 1953), arguably the most successful racing drivers prior to the Second World War. (Photo: Audi) |
Grand Prix history buffs will have immediately recognized the concept's Italian name, chosen after Mantua, Italy's daring Tazio Nuvolari (1892 - 1953), arguably the most successful racing drivers prior to the Second World War. Nuvolari was victorious in an amazing 61 Grands Prix, many of which were in Auto Union cars starting in 1938.
While Audi itself had nothing directly to do with Auto Union's early victories, it's fair to say that Silver Arrow DNA runs in the family gene pool. Perpetuating the breed, the Nuvolari concept effectively stirs emotions from the past with the technical excellence of the brand's modern day road cars, boasting a V10 power, a Tiptronic sequential automatic transmission with shift paddles, quattro all-wheel drive, lightweight aluminum space frame construction, Audi's MMI systems interface for controlling ancillary features, a fingerprint recognition glovebox locking system, a pushbutton-operated electro-mechanical parking brake, and 2 + 2-seat Gran Turismo practicality.