The wait is finally over! Bugatti unveiled its latest hypercar, ushering in a new era for the century-old French automaker. Bugatti has abandoned its recent tradition of naming hypercars after notable drivers and has chosen a very unconventional name for the Chiron replacement. The latest seven-figure figure is called the Tourbillon – named after the mechanism used in expensive mechanical watches that counteracts the negative effects of gravity. But the unique name is only the tip of the iceberg; almost everything about the French brand’s latest creation is extraordinary. The first Bugatti model created under Mate Rimac is such an exceptional piece of automotive art that there seems to be an endless list of things to talk about. However, here are 7 things you should know about the Bugatti Tourbillon.
Familiar and yet completely tailored
At first glance, you could mistake the Bugatti Tourbillon for an elegant variant of the mighty Chiron. Some of its design cues might even make you think it’s a cool concept based on the brand’s outgoing hypercar. The aim was to draw on Bugatti’s 115-year-old design philosophy and maintain an instantly recognizable style. The French automaker says it wanted the Tourbillon to be unmistakably Bugatti. But don’t let the familiar design fool you. The Bugatti Tourbillon is completely bespoke, not sharing a single part or component with the Chiron or its derivatives, which is absolutely insane!
While the new hypercar isn’t longer than its predecessor, it sits 1.3 inches lower and the greenhouse is narrower to reduce drag. The famous horseshoe-shaped grille has also undergone a transformation, which is wider and shorter than before. The centreline, inspired by the iconic Type 57SC Atlantic bolted center fin, runs from the new radiator grille to the rear. Slimmer headlights are topped with aerodynamic slats that direct air towards the engine, while the hypercar has a one-piece taillight that beautifully contours the curved rear. If that wasn’t all, the new Bugatti comes with upward opening doors.
All-new hybrid powertrain
For its new hypercar, Bugatti ditched the insane four-liter supercharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that powered all modern Bugatti hypercars and built an all-new Cosworth-developed 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16. In fact, the automaker teased the wild internal combustion engine a few months before its launch. But now we finally have all the information, including the details of the electrical side of the powertrain. The V16 engine eschews forced induction and can rev up to 9,000 rpm, producing 986 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque.
The high-revving internal combustion engine is assisted by three electric motors: two on the front axle and another on the rear axle. The trio of e-motors produces 789 horsepower, bringing the total output to 1,775 horsepower. The motors draw power from a surprisingly large 25.0kWh battery that sits in the center of the car, giving the hypercar a 30-mile all-electric range.
Stunning performance data
With almost 1,800 horsepower, the Bugatti Tourbillon is destined to be incredibly fast. The French automaker claims that the new hypercar can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds and reach 250 mph in around 25 seconds. While it’s unclear whether the hypercar will set a new top speed record, the Tourbillon is limited to 277 mph for its customers.
Now let’s put this top speed into a hypothetical context. At a speed of 277 mph (or 445 km/h), the new Bugatti hypercar could circle the Earth in just 90 hours – that’s the equivalent of three days and 18 hours! Imagine driving at a constant maximum speed in an endless straight line around the world that covers the circumference of the Earth approximately 40,075 km. By comparison, “around the world in 80 days” sounds almost peaceful. Even more impressive, at full throttle and nonstop, you could reach the Moon (384,400 km away) in just 36 days.
Inspired by Haute Horlogerie
Watchmaking and luxury cars have shared close ties for many decades, giving rise to countless special edition watches inspired by high-end automobiles. In fact, thanks to Bugatti’s collaboration with Jacob & Co. produced some crazy limited edition watches. However, this is the first time the world has seen a highly exclusive vehicle that is heavily inspired by Haute Horlogerie. The influence is most noticeable inside the cabin, which, unlike the exterior, is completely different from the predecessors of the hypercar. The switchgear and instrumentation of the Bugatti Tourbillon pay tribute to the art of highly complex mechanical watchmaking.
Discover America
One of the biggest highlights of the Bugatti Tourbillon cabin is the insanely beautiful dashboard and steering wheel that revolves around it. Let’s start with the instrument panel. As the entire industry moved towards digital displays, Bugatti decided to equip its new hypercar with the most complex instrument cluster with mechanical gauges. Developed in collaboration with Swiss watchmakers, the watch is designed to look like a skeleton watch with the intricate gears exposed.
Plus, Bugatti paired it with the most complex steering wheel system we’ve ever seen. The instrument panel seems to float in the middle of the steering wheel with a fixed hub, which is equipped with a complex system of planetary gears.
Each individual component is a work of art
Mate Rimac’s obsession with making the Bugatti Tourbillon the most distinctive modern automobile is clearly visible. Whether it’s the exposed V16 engine wrapped in plenty of carbon fiber or the way the small entertainment screen emerges from the center console, the attention to detail is unmatched. The center console is also a work of art, which is composed of crystal glass and aluminum. However, the obsession with aesthetics also affects things that are not visible to the eye. As an example, the car’s rolling carbon fiber chassis is so beautifully designed that it’s nothing less than an achingly beautiful piece of sculpture.
More exclusive than its modern predecessors
Bugatti has announced that production of the Tourbillon will be limited to just 250 examples, making it twice as exclusive as the Chiron. Mate Rimac said production will begin in 2026 and be completed within 2.5 years. As for the price, the Bugatti Tourbillon starts at $4 million.
