Audi Has Built A New V16 Hypercar! | 4K
This video from Top Gear presents the Audi Luca – a brand new, yet historically significant supercar project. It is a faithful replica of a legendary record-breaking car from Auto Union in the 1930s, completed just a few weeks ago.
The Story Behind the Myth
- Origin: Born from a rivalry between Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz in the 1930s, sponsored by the Nazi regime to demonstrate German engineering superiority.
- The Record: On February 15, 1935, Hans Stuck reached a speed of 327 km/h (203 mph) on a public road near the Italian city of Lucca (hence the name), setting a world record for public roads.
- Loss of Originals: Unlike Mercedes, which kept its cars in the West, most Auto Union race cars were lost in Soviet-occupied Eastern Germany after the war. The original 'Luca' no longer exists.
The Technology of the Recreation
The project was commissioned by Audi Tradition and built by British specialist Crosthwaite & Gardner. It is not a museum piece but a fully functional vehicle.
- Engine: A modern 6.0-liter supercharged V16 producing 520 hp and 800 Nm of torque, an evolution of the historic engine. It runs on a methanol-gasoline mixture.
- Design & Aerodynamics: The car has a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.43 and a very low frontal area. The design blends steampunk with a modern, groundbreaking layout (mid-engine, front radiator, fuel tank behind the driver).
- Challenges: The cooling system is marginal, the massive drum brakes are the largest Audi could install, and there are no electronic driving aids. The historic canopy is still being optimized as original data was lost.
A Look Inside the Cockpit
The interior is a study in minimalism: a massive, open-gate five-speed manual gearbox, an enormous steering wheel (for leverage without power steering), an upside-down tachometer, and a speedometer that tops out at 300 km/h. There is no seatbelt – just a strap holding the seat cushion in place.
Audi Tradition: The Secret 'Audi Heaven'
The video offers rare access to the secret garages of Audi Tradition in England, housing over 900 vehicles, including:
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- Original Audi 50s, DKW vans, and pre-war Wanderers.
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- Legendary rally and race cars like the Audi Sport Quattro and IMSA GTO.
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- Rare prototypes and the hypercar predecessor Type 52.
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- Even an Audi A3 (the newest car in the collection) preserved for eternity.
Conclusion
The 'Luca' is more than just a car; it is a rolling monument that revives a lost and tragic era of German motorsport history. This meticulously detailed recreation is a tribute to pioneering spirit and engineering ingenuity – and proof that Audi has not forgotten its roots.
