Bugatti’s latest hypercar trades turbos for a V16 hybrid powerplant

Forward-looking: Bugatti has taken the wraps off its next hypercar, pushing the category-defining brand to a new level of performance and luxury. The successor to the Chiron, the new Bugatti Tourbillon features an all-new 8.3 liter, 64-valve V16 that ditches the quad-turbo forced induction system for natural aspiration.

The engine pumps out 1,000 horsepower and revs all the way to 9,000 RPM, no doubt delighting the senses.

The Tourbillon additionally features a pair of electric motors that supply an additional 600 horsepower to the front wheels, while a third adds an extra 200 horsepower at the rear. A 25 kWh, oil-cooled 800V battery powers the electric motors, and delivers an all-electric range of around 37 miles. Combined, you’re looking at 1,800 total horsepower and as you can imagine, performance is off the charts.

According to Bugatti, its new hypercar can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in two seconds, and reach 186 mph in less than 10 seconds. Keep the pedal to the floor and you’ll be soaring past 250 mph in about 25 seconds en route to a top speed that’s been limited to 277 mph.

The Tourbillon sits on a bespoke set of Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires – 285/35 R20 at the front and 345/30 R21 at the rear. A new world record is no doubt within grasp, but Bugatti wants to focus on launch first.

Despite its impressive performance, the Tourbillon is a luxury vehicle first and foremost. That’s no more obvious than in the interior, where comparisons to a work of art aren’t a stretch.

The instrument cluster is “designed and built with the expertise of Swiss watchmakers,” and is comprised of more than 600 individual parts made of titanium as well as gemstones like sapphire and ruby. Better yet, it’s a fixed hub design meaning the cluster remains fully visible even as you turn the wheel.

The center console, meanwhile, features high-end aluminum parts and crystal glass that went through 13 stages of production to ensure clarity and safety in the event of an accident.

Further elevating the timeless, analogue design is the visible absence of a screen by default, which Bugatti design director Frank Heyl describes as digital detoxing. There is a screen hidden in the dash that can be summoned when needed, but otherwise it stays out of sight and out of mind.

Bugatti even went high tech on the audio side, opting to forego a traditional sound system for something that is lighter and more efficient. The end result uses exciters to turn existing panels into speakers, which sounds a lot like tech we saw from LG Display back in 2022.

As for the name, tourbillion is derived from the art of watchmaking.

Bugatti’s Tourbillon is currently undergoing testing, with the first customers expected to take delivery sometime in 2026. Only 250 examples are being built, with a starting price of 3.8 million euros. Unfortunately, all of them have already been spoken for.

Source link

Leave a reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here