Unraveling the Enigma of the Audi Nuvolari's Oversized Fuel Door Button

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      The Audi Nuvolari stands out in a unique way. Perhaps it's because its arrival was largely unexpected, or maybe it reflects the uncompromising Bauhaus influence in its design, giving it an aesthetic that makes the previous generation R8 look almost charming in comparison.

      Whatever the reason, every element of the Nuvolari feels intentionally designed, which makes the placement of its oversized fuel door release and hazard light switches—located at the lower corners of the sloped infotainment screen—quite peculiar. Beyond the usual steering wheel controls, engine start/stop, push-button gear selector, and door window and lock switches, these are among the few physical buttons inside the vehicle. While hazard lights require noticeable placement, the fuel door release is unusual.

      Our editor-in-chief, Kyle Cheromcha, recently encountered the Nuvolari during Monterey Car Week and had the chance to discuss its design with Massimo Frascella, Audi’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Design, regarding the impact of Audi’s new supercar on the overall lineup. Naturally, the button's placement was one of Kyle's initial inquiries.

      The fuel door release mechanism is positioned at the base of the infotainment display where it connects with the center console.

      Frascella took a moment, exchanged a glance with the PR representative present, and laughed. When Kyle pressed for more clarity, he provided a vague response.

      “I think that was a place that felt logical and timely during the interior development,” Frascella said, adding that there was “no specific reason” for its placement. “It’s interesting. It’s not something I personally focus on, and it’s intriguing that you mentioned it.”

      Indeed, it is intriguing. He did leave behind a hint for us to consider: “timely during the interior development.” The Nuvolari shares its platform and powertrain with the Lamborghini Temerario, similar to how the earlier R8 was related to the Gallardo and Huracan. Additionally, the Nuvolari progressed from design sketch to final prototype in an impressively brief period of 405 days. Could the Lamborghini platform and expedited development timeline be related to this?

      As it turns out, yes, likely so. We began to investigate further, discovering that, while the Temerario features a markedly different interior, it also has a fuel door release button in the identical location. At first glance, this button appears smaller and is placed flat on the horizontal section of the center console, below the floating infotainment display. In the Audi, it manifests as that large rocker switch seemingly integrated into the infotainment panel. However, when viewed side by side, the two placements match up. The hazard switches on the left are also aligned.

      Left, the Lamborghini Temerario. Right, the Audi Nuvolari. The fuel door release button is circled on both. (Click to enlarge.) Audi, Lamborghini

      It seems Audi didn’t have the resources to reorganize the cabin and reposition those buttons as the Nuvolari was being developed, leading them to cleverly disguise the identical placement as much as possible. Audi has not provided additional commentary on this, so we can’t assert this with absolute certainty, but it is the only plausible explanation.

      This may seem trivial, but we aren't trying to criticize Audi in any way. The Nuvolari represents a significant achievement, and if anything, this detail serves as a playful easter egg for enthusiasts like us who ponder the size and positioning of buttons. There's no attempt to disguise that the Nuvolari is derived from the Temerario. It’s a testament to Audi that the fuel filler release button could be the most noticeable clue about the car—aside from the roaring V8 engine.

      Audi

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