Audi Tradition is bringing another stunning historic recreation to the Festival of Speed

You may remember when Audi brought the scarcely believable 16-cylinder Audi Union Type 52 hypercar to the Festival of Speed back in 2024, well brace yourself for this next jaw-dropping chapter in Audi’s mission to bring its heritage back to life.

Developed during the fierce 1930s speed wars between the world’s greatest automotive titans, the original Auto Union Lucca was a pioneer in wind-tunnel aerodynamics. The bodywork was sanded to a sleek finish and coated with lacquer to minimize wind resistance; it was a zero-compromise creation focused only on breaking records.

Speed in those days was a big deal. The pursuit of performance was an obsession of engineers and the public alike. Technology was advancing at an astronomical rate, and the progress of cars was a tangible measure that captivated the world.

Auto Union had become a leading figure in the quest of power, and on February 15^th 1935, the legendary racing driver and hill climb specialist Hans Stuck strapped into this futuristic streamliner on an autostrada near the Italian city of Lucca to try and push the dial.

He shattered expectations by achieving an average speed of 199 mph and a staggering top speed of 203 mph. Now, this engineering masterpiece, complete with 5.0-litre 16-cylinder engine has been meticulously rebuilt and is ready to live again.

This is exactly what the Festival of Speed is all about: bringing unthinkable pieces of automotive artistry out of the museums and into motion where they belong. If you’re a fan of historic engineering, seeing this resurrected speed king in the metal is worth the trip alone. 

Tickets for the Festival of Speed are limited. Friday, Saturday and four-day passes are now sold out and Thursday tickets are selling fast. If you’re not already part of the GRRC, joining the Fellowship means you can save ten per cent on your 2026 tickets and grandstand passes, as well as enjoy a whole host of other on-event perks.