Unveiling the Bugatti Tourbillon: a supercar masterpiece

The resurrection of Bugatti is one of the 21st century’s most notable automotive stories. Aristocratic, artistic, and more than a little arcane, Bugatti was a prewar marque that mastered luxury, design, and motorsport, the creator of Grand Prix winners, and arguably the most lavish motorcar ever made, in the shape of the early 1930s Type 41 Royale. Then it faded away.

It was the late Ferdinand Piëch, the monomaniacal kingpin of the Volkswagen Group, who bought the rights to the name and returned the brand to glory with 2005’s Veyron and its successor, the Chiron. The Super Sport version of the latter remains the world’s fastest production car, having achieved a top speed of 304.773 mph in the hands of racing driver Andy Wallace at a German test track in 2019.

How do you follow that—especially in a world in which 2,000-horsepower electric hypercars have comprehensively rearranged expectations? As fate would have it, Bugatti is now controlled by Croatian EV powerhouse Rimac, as a result of a complex 2021 contra-deal with VW and Porsche. So you’d be right to wonder what kind of encore wunderkind Mate Rimac would devise for the 114-year-old French legend.

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).

“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,” stated Mate Rimac, Bugatti-Rimac’s CEO, to Robb Report 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.

“The proposal to make it electric was the obvious choice. We had our [Rimac] Nevera, that we could easily transfer our technology and re-skin the body. But I felt it was wrong for Bugatti,” said Rimac. “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.

As you would expect, the Tourbillon has been developed to be blisteringly fast. According to Emilio Scervo, Bugatti’s chief technical officer, early prototype tests suggest a rate of acceleration from zero to 62 mph in 2.0 seconds, zero to 124 mph in 5.0 seconds, and zero to 186 mph in 10.0 seconds. Flat out, the max-speed target is 445 kph (276 mph), though with a speedometer that reads up to 550 kph (341 mph), we expect there’s more to come.

The center console features crystal glass that’s formed over 13 separate stages to ensure strength and clarity. In summary, the Bugatti Tourbillon is not just a car; it is a bold statement in automotive excellence, blending decades of heritage with cutting-edge technology. The Tourbillon stands as a testament to Bugatti’s commitment to luxury, performance, and innovation, carving out its legacy for generations to come.

Inspiration from Legendary Designs: The Bugatti Tourbillon isn’t just a modern hypercar; it draws inspiration from some of the most iconic Bugatti designs in history. The Type 57SC Atlantic, renowned as the world’s most beautiful car, serves as a benchmark for elegance. The Type 35, lauded for its racing success, influences its performance orientation, while the Type 41 Royale imparts a sense of luxurious ambition. By weaving these classic elements into the Tourbillon’s DNA, Bugatti ensures a rich narrative that resonates with car enthusiasts and collectors alike.

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 sets the Tourbillon apart from its predecessors is its use of advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing. Key structural components, such as suspension arms, are created using this technology, which not only reduces weight but also allows for intricate designs that traditional methods cannot achieve. This innovative approach showcases Bugatti’s dedication to pushing the boundaries 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.

The Bugatti Tourbillon is not merely a vehicle; it represents a convergence of artistry, engineering, and performance. As we eagerly await its official unveiling and the opportunity to witness its breathtaking capabilities on the road, one thing is clear: Bugatti has once again set the bar for hypercars, creating a masterpiece that is both a nod to its storied past and a bold vision for the future.

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