The Type 52, affectionately dubbed the "Schnellsportwagen" or "fast sports car," was envisioned as a road-going version of the 1930s Type 22 Grand Prix racer. It boasted a 16-cylinder engine churning out over 200 horsepower, propelling it to a top speed of 200 km/h, making it one of the fastest cars of its time.

Unfortunately, this phenomenal supercar never progressed beyond the design phase; the Auto Union Type 52 project was shelved by 1935 as World War II loomed. But Audi, ever the custodian of its illustrious history, decided to resurrect this special vehicle for the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Audi tasked Crosthwaite & Gardner—a renowned historic race car manufacturer—with bringing the Auto Union Type 52 to life from scratch. Using original sketches and blueprints, everything from the chassis and body panels to the engine was meticulously crafted for this unique concept. The project kicked off in early 2023 and took over a year to complete.

Nestled under the rear deck is a mid-mounted, supercharged 16-cylinder engine akin to the one intended for the original car. This rendition boasts a 6.0-liter motor instead of the original 4.4-liter engine. Audi also bumped up the power output from an estimated 200 horsepower to a robust 512 horsepower. Naturally, it’s paired with a manual transmission.

To accommodate the new engine and chassis, Audi had to stretch the dimensions. The Type 52 now features a 3,315 mm wheelbase, compared to the original's slightly shorter 2,997 mm, and weighs in at 1,450 kg, whereas the original was around 1,300 kg.

Swing open the rear-hinged doors and you’ll discover a three-seat layout, reminiscent of the McLaren F1—only 60 years earlier. Audi has faithfully retained a retro vibe with old-school cloth seats, lacquered wood paneling, and massive throwback gauges.

But don’t mistake this exquisite one-off for a mere showpiece. Audi is set to run the Type 52 concept at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and Hans-Joachim “Strietzel” Stuck taking turns behind the wheel. We can’t wait to witness this marvel in motion.