The revival of Bugatti stands as one of the most remarkable automotive tales of the 21st century, weaving a narrative of aristocracy, artistry, and a touch of mystery.
In 2005, the late Ferdinand Piëch, a visionary leader at Volkswagen Group, brought Bugatti back to its former glory with the Veyron, followed by its successor, the Chiron, whose Super Sport variant remains the fastest production car in the world, hitting an astonishing 304.773 mph, thanks to racing expert Andy Wallace’s skills at a German test track in 2019.
As we look to the future, one can’t help but wonder how Bugatti will top such astounding achievements, especially with the automotive landscape evolving with 2,000-horsepower electric supercars; interestingly, Bugatti now falls under the stewardship of Croatian electric vehicle innovator Rimac, raising curiosity about the new direction Mate Rimac will take for this legendary French brand that has thrived for 114 years.
The result is the Tourbillon, an imperious super-coupé hybrid that sees Bugatti looking a hundred years ahead as much as it’s invoking its storied past—but not in the ways you’d expect.
The Tourbillon is Bugatti’s latest hybrid hypercar, the first to reveal Rimac’s influence on the manufacturer. “Icons like the Type 57SC Atlantic, renowned as the most beautiful car in the world, the Type 35, the most successful racing car ever, and the Type 41 Royale, one of the most ambitious luxury cars of all time, provide our three pillars of inspiration,” Rimac says. “Beauty, performance, and luxury formed the blueprint for the Tourbillon; a car that was more elegant, more emotive, and more luxurious than anything before it. And just like those icons of the past, it wouldn’t be simply for the present, or even for the future, but pour l’éternité–for eternity.”
Yep, it’s safe to say Bugatti is pretty excited about its new creation and has an eye on the pristine lawns of the Pebble Beach or Villa d’Este concours events a century hence, positioning its new hypercar as both head-spinningly high-tech and as an artful riposte to built-in obsolescence.
Reskinning Rimac’s own brilliant and fully electric Nevera hypercar was surely one option, but Rimac is respectful enough of Bugatti’s history to know that would never fly. “So I came up with a proposal to make a completely new car,” he says. He’s come an awfully long way since being the sole employee of Rimac back in 2009.
First there was Veyron. Then came Chiron. Now Tourbillon. Revealed today, Bugatti‘s new 1,800 hp hypercar delivers even more shock-and-awe than its predecessors. Gone is the famed 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine. In its place is a new 1,000 hp, 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 paired with a trio of electric motors delivering 800 hp. That combination makes this the most powerful Bugatti ever.
While the design of the all-carbon-composite body is clearly derived from the signature lines of both the Veyron and Chiron, its roofline is lower, the body lighter and more aerodynamic, and that iconic horseshoe grille more imposing. Yet the likely headline feature will be the car’s all-new interior featuring a skeletonized, titanium-and-sapphire-glass instrument cluster inspired by Swiss watchmaking (“tourbillon” referring to a mechanical complication that increases accuracy in high-end timepieces).
Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti-Rimac, passionately shared, ‘Beauty, performance, and luxury formed the blueprint for the Tourbillon. What we have created is a car that is more elegant, more emotive, and more luxurious than anything before it,’ during an exclusive preview at the company’s newly opened design studio in Berlin.
He explained that, four years ago, when the Tourbillon concept was on the drawing board, there were multiple suggestions for what an all-new Bugatti might look like. Options included an SUV, a coupe-like crossover, and a luxury four-door sedan. Then there was the choice of either a hybrid or all-electric power train.
Rimac reflected on the decision-making process, stating, ‘The proposal to make it electric was the obvious choice. We had our [Rimac] Nevera, from which we could easily transfer our technology and re-skin the body. But I felt it was wrong for Bugatti. I wanted a successor to the Veyron and Chiron, a true hypercar with a combustion engine. Our customers agreed.’
Comprising more than 600 components, the skeletonized instrument cluster is constructed from titanium and features sapphire-glass faces and detailing that incorporates rubies. To create it, Rimac teamed with Cosworth, a renowned British engine builder, to help develop the naturally aspirated V16 mill. Designed to rev to 9,000 rpm, the engine offers a similar output as the original Veyron’s quad-turbocharged W16. To heighten the performance, Rimac and his team used their proven expertise in electric propulsion to pair the V16 with twin electric motors driving the front wheels, with a third at the rear. For battery power, a 25 kWh, oil-cooled 800-volt pack is integrated into the chassis and located behind the passengers. It’s powerful enough to give the Tourbillon a usable electric-only range of around 37 miles.
The Tourbillon is engineered to deliver breathtaking speed, with Bugatti’s chief technical officer, Emilio Scervo, revealing that prototype tests indicate it can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 2.0 seconds, reaching 124 mph in 5.0 seconds, and hitting 186 mph in a mere 10 seconds, while aiming for a maximum speed of 445 kph (276 mph) and a speedometer capable of reading up to 550 kph (341 mph), suggesting there may be even more performance to uncover.
The center console showcases exquisite crystal glass crafted through 13 meticulous stages, ensuring both strength and clarity, and in essence, the Bugatti Tourbillon transcends the notion of a mere car; it embodies a bold declaration of automotive excellence, merging decades of legacy with pioneering technology, solidifying Bugatti’s commitment to luxury, performance, and innovation for future generations.
The Bugatti Tourbillon is more than just a contemporary hypercar; it pays homage to legendary Bugatti designs, drawing inspiration from the Type 57SC Atlantic, celebrated as the world’s most beautiful car, the Type 35, known for its racing accolades, and the luxurious Type 41 Royale, intertwining these historical elements into the Tourbillon’s DNA to create a narrative that resonates deeply with automotive aficionados and collectors.
At the heart of the Bugatti Tourbillon is its innovative hybrid powertrain, a testament to engineering excellence. With a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine producing 1,000 horsepower combined with three electric motors generating an additional 800 horsepower, this hypercar achieves an astonishing 1,800 horsepower. This hybrid setup exemplifies Bugatti’s commitment to blending traditional combustion power with cutting-edge electric technology, preserving the raw driving experience while enhancing efficiency.
What distinguishes the Tourbillon from its predecessors is its embrace of advanced manufacturing techniques, particularly 3D printing, which allows key structural components like suspension arms to be crafted in ways that are both lightweight and intricately designed, showcasing Bugatti’s unwavering dedication to redefining the limits of automotive engineering.
Exclusivity is a hallmark of Bugatti, and the Tourbillon will be no exception. With only 250 units planned for production, each starting at a staggering €3.8 million, this hypercar is designed for a select group of collectors. This limited availability not only heightens the allure of the Tourbillon but also ensures that it remains a coveted piece of automotive history.
Ultimately, the Bugatti Tourbillon stands as a remarkable convergence of artistry, engineering, and unparalleled performance, and as we eagerly anticipate its official debut and the chance to witness its extraordinary capabilities on the road, it’s evident that Bugatti has once again raised the standard for hypercars, crafting a masterpiece that honors its illustrious legacy while boldly charting a thrilling future.
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