Audi has built a new V16 supercar that looks like a unique version of the Batmobile. This one-off project celebrates the Auto Union Lucca, a car that was once the fastest road-going vehicle in the world. This 90-year-old design could reach 203 mph (326.975 km/h).
The original 1935 car was incredibly fast, even by today's standards. It hit 203 mph on an Italian highway.
Recreating a Lost Legend
The original record-breaking car was lost during World War Two. Audi spent a large, undisclosed sum to recreate it. After three years of work by specialist restorers, the 'new' Lucca has been revealed. It is set to appear at the UK’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
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Start Your News DetoxThis car is an extraordinary machine. Its huge supercharged six-liter V16 engine will likely be heard across much of southern England.
Crosthwaite & Gardiner, a high-end workshop in Sussex, England, recreated the Lucca. This workshop is known for having the largest stock of Bugatti parts globally. They also build new engines for historic race cars like Maseratis and Jaguars.
The Lucca project was challenging because the original car and most technical drawings were missing. It had to be built from scratch, using old photographs and a few 1930s engineering drawings. Every panel and component was handmade. Fitting the streamlined bodywork, cockpit canopy, and tail fin over the wooden frame was especially difficult.
Design and Performance
The car's unfinished look is intentional. German racers of that era stripped their cars of paint to save weight, earning them the nickname 'Silver Arrows'. The metal was finely sanded. The Lucca also had covers on its radiator and spoked wheels for better aerodynamics. Its fuel is a vintage mix of 50% methanol, 40% premium unleaded, and 10% toluene.
Audi has not yet announced the potential speed of the new car. The supercharged V16 engine produces 513 hp. The car weighs just over 2,000 lb (960 kg), similar to a Mazda MX-5. While those involved may not push it to its limits, it has the potential to outperform many modern vehicles.
The car was named Lucca because Auto Union driver Hans Stuck set its speed record near the Italian town in 1935. It was nicknamed 'Rennlimousine' or 'racing sedan'. This car was a key part of Auto Union's rivalry with Mercedes to build the fastest cars. Auto Union later became Audi, which is now part of the VW group.
Deep Dive & References
Audi Tradition Unveils Record-Breaking Car in Italy: Auto Union Lucca Joins the Silver Arrow Family - Audi MediaCenter, 2024
