New ownership will not change Bugatti's aura

The Volkswagen era of Bugatti ownership is over.

After a two-decade production run of incredibly luxurious, high-performance hypercars like the Veyron, the Chiron, and their many variants, a new era has begun. On November 1, 2021, the Bugatti-Rimac joint venture began operation, with the Croatian manufacturer of fully electric hypercars holding 55% and Porsche AG holding the other 45%. Both Bugatti and Rimac will continue operating as independent brands.

Despite ownership changes, Bugatti's distinguishing elements remain

Bugatti will continue to court its high net-worth clientele with cutting-edge sports cars that blend extreme performance with luxurious interiors, the ultimate in craftsmanship, and customization options limited only by the customer’s imagination. The price tags will also continue to cross seven digits.

What will change is the drivetrain that powers future Bugattis, starting with their latest model, the Tourbillon. In place of the former Ferdinand Piëch-inspired 8.0-liter W16 engine that put out as much as 1,578 horsepower, the Tourbillon will use a new 8.3-liter V16 engine driving through an eight-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. The V16 is supplemented by three electric motors.

The Tourbillon offers plenty of power for plutocrats

The Tourbillon’s V16, designed with the help of Cosworth, has an output of 986 horsepower, similar to that of the original Veyron. When the electric motors and their instant torque join in, the total power escalates to 1775 horses, more than in any previous Bugatti. The company quotes a 0 to 60 mph time of two seconds, with zero-to-250 mph in a mind-blowing 25 seconds.

At the other end of the performance envelope, the Tourbillon’s 800V battery pack provides around 30 miles of all-electric driving range, ideal for entering ICE-restricted city centers. Remarkably, despite its three motors, the Tourbillon still weighs less than the outgoing Chiron.

Bugatti style demands that form follow function

While the design of the Bugatti Tourbillon is clearly evolutionary, it has been designed with speeds in excess of 248 mph (400 kph) in mind. This means that both aerodynamics and thermodynamics (managing the engine heat produced at those high speeds) have been refined.

Aerodynamically, the car is lower, while the drag-producing rear wing works as an air brake and does not protrude during high-speed runs. A diffuser is partially hidden underneath and balances aerodynamic forces.

Thermodynamics have also been well considered, with the two front radiators exhausting their heat through vents in the front hood panel. Openings under the headlights increase airflow to the side intakes and the similarly open design of the rear end helps to quickly remove heat from the vehicle.

An interior that tops previous Bugattis

The Veyron and the Chiron interiors are tough acts to follow, but the Bugatti Tourbillon has them beat. Inside the cabin, the driver is greeted by a truly spectacular instrument cluster built into the steering wheel. It showcases a combination speedometer and tachometer that is presented as if it were a fine watch, showing the gears within. Bugatti’s traditional engine output gauge, calibrated in horsepower, is also present. 

Final thoughts

Knowing that a brand with as much history and pedigree as Bugatti is in safe hands is a relieving thought. Mate Rimac has long proclaimed his love for the automobile and he is more than proving it with the development of the Tourbillon.

If anything, the Tourbillon could showcase an even more bespoke future for Bugatti, with design elements unlike anything we've seen in other cars. And where else can you find another 16-cylinder engine?