Bugatti W16 Mistral Is The Open-Top End Of The W16 Era

Reveal /21 Comments

Say goodbye to a genuinely legendary engine with "the ultimate roadster."

  • 1,578-horsepower Chiron Super Sport 300+ engine
  • 99 will be made at $5 million each, all sold out
  • Aims to become the world's fastest roadster

Over the past few weeks, Bugatti has beendropping subtle hintsthat it will be unveiling a new roadster and biddingadieutoits incomparable W16 engine, and here is that creation, the Bugatti W16 Mistral. We got ourfirst shadowy looks at the carearlier this week, but now the drop-top hypercar has been unveiled in all its glory, and it's simplymagnifique!

The car is, as ever, based upon the basic platform of theBugatti Chiron(a car that will never get its own convertible variant), but it's comprehensively different, and there is clear inspiration from the recent Bolide track toy, the one-off La Voiture Noire (albeit mildly so), and the Divo too. But this is more than just a pretty thing to look at, and Bugatti calls it "the ultimate roadster." Unsurprisingly, Bugatti will use this limited-edition to chase a new world record.

Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti

Bugatti explains that this is more than just a development of the Chiron and, as such, needed a name associated with freedom, elegance, and speed. Thus, it took inspiration from the mistral, a powerful wind from southern France. Interestingly, the name has been used by another automaker in the Maserati Mistral, produced from 1963-1970. But we don't think anyone will mistake this for a leaking Italian. In addition, this French hypercar is officially named the W16 Mistral because the engine is central to the roadster's character.

Notably, the Mistral is powered by the 1,578-horsepower version of the 8.0-liter, quad-turbo W16 engine found in the Chiron Super Sport 300+. Are you thinking what we're thinking? Bugatti is on the same wavelength: "There can only be one goal in mind: to become the fastest roadster in the world once more." Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster, take note. The French are not retreating this time around.

Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti

可悲的是,加速度和最高速度要求不是yet being made, but Bugatti has an outstanding track record. Of course, the engine is not the sole concern in achieving a ridiculous top speed in a convertible.

The car's design and engineering are said to be completely bespoke, the existing monocoque having been re-engineered and reshaped. But rather than simply trying to create the most efficient shape possible, Bugatti used this landmark opportunity to get creative. Using the1934 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raidas its muse, the W16 Mistral boasts aerodynamic nacelles behind the headrests and launches in "a warm black with hints of truffle brown and subtle yellow accents throughout." This is an homage to the coachbuilt classic car but alsoEttore Bugatti's favorite color scheme.

Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti

Bugatti has also reinterpreted the V-shaped windscreen of the Grand Raid by fitting the W16 Mistral with a curved, wraparound windshield that creates a 'visor' effect. It's curved "just enough to create the rounded visor design, without destroying the driver's vision."

The side windows lead your eye to the side intakes, with the character line that underscores these ducts picked up in front and its horseshoe grille. Oil cooler intakes on the side were intentionally separated from the engine intakes for optimum airflow and a cleaner look. The engine is fed by those scoops above and behind occupants' heads, which calls to mind the Grand Raid again, but also the magical Veyron.

Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti

As we touched on at the outset, the front end is clearly influenced by the Divo, and the bespoke headlights are similar in execution to those of La Voiture Noire, while the rear shows a "more elegant iteration of Bolide's X-theme taillight motif."

Even design flourishes have a purpose, as the headlights have a four-light signature as a nod to four driven wheels and four turbochargers. Moreover, the three-dimensional surface of these fixtures is an aerodynamic aid that funnels air through the light and out via the wheel arch. The taillights help to vent hot air from the side oil coolers, too, creating a low-pressure zone in the center of the rear.

Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti

Finally, the cabin. This displays an intricate woven leather on newly designed door panels, the gear shifter is machined from a solid block of aluminum with a touch of wood and an insert made of amber. This insert has Rembrandt Bugatti's famous 'dancing elephant' sculpture within, something seen on the hood of the Type 41 Royale.

Essentially, this is Bugatti's last chance to chase a drop-top world record, but it has also taken the opportunity to reference a large portion of its illustrious back catalog and show off its mesmerizing levels of quality and unique design capabilities.

Just 99 examples will be produced at a price of €5 million before taxes (around $5.04 million). But don't bother ringing your accountant - the car was sold out long before we first saw it.

Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti
Bugatti

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