Audi has unveiled a one-off recreation of the historic Auto Union Lucca, reviving one of the most unusual and influential racing machines from the 1930s while reconnecting the brand with a significant chapter of its early motorsport history.
The rebuilt vehicle, commissioned by Audi Tradition and developed by restoration specialist Crosthwaite & Gardiner, pays tribute to the original Auto Union Lucca that once held the distinction of being the fastest car ever driven on a public road.
Although Audi traces its roots back to 1909, the company’s modern identity was shaped decades later when Volkswagen merged Auto Union and NSU Motorenwerke in 1969. Long before that merger, Auto Union had established itself as a fierce rival to Mercedes-Benz in the pursuit of speed records and grand prix dominance.
The original Lucca debuted in 1935 as part of Auto Union’s grand prix racing program. Its dramatic streamlined bodywork made it instantly recognizable, featuring an elongated silver design and a cab-forward layout that stood apart from nearly every other race car of the era. The vehicle’s aerodynamic profile helped it achieve remarkable speeds at a time when automotive engineering was still rapidly evolving.
Powering the original racer was a rear-mounted 5.0-liter V-16 engine producing nearly 340 horsepower. In February 1935, after weather conditions forced a relocation from Germany to Italy, the car reached a top speed of 326.975 kilometers per hour, or 203.17 mph, on a public road near Pisa. The run took place near the town of Lucca, which later inspired the car’s nickname.
Development on the car continued into 1936, including the installation of a larger V-16 engine, but the onset of World War II eventually ended the project. Over time, the original vehicle disappeared from public view and was ultimately considered lost.
Audi’s newly completed recreation was developed over three years using archival materials, historical photography and engineering records. While designed to remain faithful to the original racer, the rebuilt machine includes several mechanical upgrades.
The new Lucca now features a 6.0-liter V-16 engine producing 513 horsepower. The engine operates on a fuel blend consisting of methanol, premium unleaded gasoline and toluene, giving the modern recreation significantly more power than its predecessor.
Audi plans to showcase the rebuilt racer in motion during this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, scheduled for July 9 through July 12. The appearance could offer the first indication of whether the revived Lucca is capable of surpassing the speed record that made the original a motorsport legend nearly a century ago.
Via Audi
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