More than ninety years after it first stunned Europe with record-breaking speed, the Auto Union Lucca has returned. Revealed by Audi Tradition in Italy, the recreated Rennlimousine is more than a historic revival, it’s a tribute to one of the most ambitious engineering stories of the 1930s.
The original car earned its place in motorsport history on February 15, 1935, when Hans Stuck reached a record-breaking speed of 326.975 km/h on an autostrada near Lucca, Italy. At the time, it was described as “the fastest road racing car in the world,” a title that transformed the sleek silver machine into a symbol of technological progress and Italian pride.
The newly recreated model feels remarkably modern, yet loyal to its original blueprint. Developed with wind tunnel testing at the Berlin-Adlershof Aeronautical Research Institute, the car features a fully enclosed cockpit, teardrop-shaped wheel arches, and a tapered rear fin created solely for the sake of speed. Audi describes the Lucca as an example of the brand’s longstanding commitment to aerodynamics, lightweight models, and performance engineering, values that continue to shape the marque today.
The new design was handcrafted over more than three years by British restoration specialists Crosthwaite & Gardiner using archival photography and historic documentation of the car. Every component was built specifically for the project, including the intricate aluminum bodywork and enclosed canopy that define the car’s dramatic silhouette. While the original Lucca no longer exists, Audi Tradition approached its recreation as a way to reconnect with a defining chapter of Auto Union racing history.
The car’s construction blends precision with respect for its heritage. Its lacquer-finished body and covered spoked wheels help reduce drag, while rear air intakes supply air to the carburetor and high-mounted exhaust pipes on each side guide airflow. It’s powered by a 16-cylinder engine from the 1935 season, but increased to five liters, producing 343 PS. The chassis and suspension are still those of the 1934 car, but the sleek and elongated body is a modern addition. The result is a distinctive, purpose-built Rennlimousine.
The vehicle’s sculptural proportions are striking in every detail. The long silver frame, enclosed wheels, and aircraft-shaped profile create a silhouette that feels surreal. Even today, the Lucca carries the sense of drama that made it unforgettable in 1935.
The recreated Auto Union Lucca will make its first dynamic appearance this summer at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, bringing one of motorsport’s most extraordinary silhouettes back to life once again.
