Audi Tradition has officially unveiled the recreated Auto Union Lucca, one of the most iconic and technologically advanced record breaking race cars from the 1930s. The historic Rennlimousine was revealed in Lucca, Italy the very location where the original car achieved a remarkable speed record nearly a century ago.

The Auto Union Lucca represents a major chapter in the history of the four rings and showcases the innovation that defined pre-war motorsport engineering. Originally driven by legendary racer Hans Stuck, the streamlined Silver Arrow reached a measured top speed of 326.975 kmph on February 15, 1935, making it the “fastest road racing car in the world” at the time.

A LEGEND RETURNS AFTER NINE DECADES

Audi Tradition partnered with British restoration specialists Crosthwaite & Gardiner to recreate the iconic record car using historical photographs and archival material. The project took more than three years to complete, with every component handcrafted specifically for this one off model.

The recreated Auto Union Lucca stays faithful to the original design while incorporating minor modifications for durability during demonstration runs. The aerodynamic bodywork, enclosed cockpit, fin shaped rear section, and teardrop wheel arches reflect the groundbreaking engineering concepts of the 1930s. Audi also confirmed that the car achieved a drag coefficient of 0.43 during wind tunnel testing.

THE STORY BEHIND THE RECORD

Back in 1935, Auto Union was competing fiercely against Mercedes-Benz in the global race for speed records. Engineers developed the Lucca Rennlimousine using advanced aerodynamic research from Berlin’s Adlershof Aeronautical Research Institute.

After several failed weather attempts in Hungary and northern Italy, the team finally selected a straight stretch of autostrada near Lucca for the record attempt. Hans Stuck successfully averaged 320.267 kmph over a flying start mile, while timing equipment recorded a peak speed of 326.975 kmph.

The achievement cemented Auto Union’s reputation as one of the pioneers of high speed motorsport engineering and aerodynamic innovation.

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED DEBUT CONFIRMED

Audi Tradition has confirmed that the recreated Auto Union Lucca will make its first public dynamic appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 9 to 12, 2026. Enthusiasts will get the opportunity to witness the legendary Silver Arrow in action for the first time in decades.

Powering the recreated machine is a supercharged 16-cylinder engine producing 520 PS and paired with a lightweight body weighing just 960 kg. The combination perfectly captures the spirit of early Grand Prix racing and Audi’s “Vorsprung durch Technik” philosophy.

With the return of the Auto Union Lucca, Audi has successfully revived one of motorsport history’s most beautiful and important engineering masterpieces.