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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

A collage showcasing Bugatti hypercar interior sketches in white and blue lines, paired with a photo of the finished Bugatti Tourbillon interior featuring matching blue seats and advanced controls.

By Khris Bharath – December 19, 2025

Bugatti Tourbillon Interior Explained: A Hypercar Designe...

Bugatti has been releasing a series of episodes over the past year, highlighting the engineering, design, and execution behind the Tourbillon, the French marque’s latest hypercar, all 250 examples of which have already been spoken for. So far, the series has covered everything from aerodynamics to exterior design influences and even featured CEO Mate Rimac himself giving an overview of the new V16 engine. The latest episode focuses on some of the details of the Tourbillon’s exquisite interior, its deliberate pursuit of timelessness, and the watch-inspired gauge cluster from which this Bugatti hypercar takes its name. “Just like any precious timepiece, a Bugatti vehicle needs to be timeless; these objects pass from generation to generation. With the Tourbillon, it needs to preserve its own character, not following any trends. That’s why, in this digital age, we decided to pursue analogue technology – where the art of watchmaking meets digital detox.” -. Design Director Frank Heyl, Bugatti. Inside the Tourbillon, Bugatti’s iconic center line and C line converge to form a clear division between driver and passenger, a detail also seen in the outgoing W16-powered Chiron. A horizontal color split reinforces the separation, while newly developed fabrics for the seats and door panels sit alongside supple leather. Bugatti refers to this philosophy as “car couture,” translating the logic of haute couture into a tailored automotive interior. The analog theme culminates in the steering wheel and instrument cluster. The fixed hub steering wheel allows the rim to rotate freely around a stationary airbag while integrating controls and paddle shifters. Beneath it sits a fully analog gauge cluster, developed with Swiss master watchmakers, featuring milled aluminum casings, skeletonized mechanisms, and crystal displays. Speaking of displays, the central screen does exist, although it mostly stays hidden away behind the dashboard and can be deployed at the flick of a button. “The role of an interior designer is to, of course, design a full vehicle cabin from the first sketches all the way to production. But we need to consider many aspects in this journey – not only Bugatti’s DNA, and making sure we honor all of the marque’s stylistic cues, but also develop a theme; a user sequence that is understandable.” - Chief Interior Designer Ignacio Martinez, Bugatti. Martinez further states that during the design process, the team also had to take into account critical modern-day safety requirements, while maintaining that core design ethos for a marque like Bugatti, desirability and long-term prestige matter as much as outright performance. In 50 years, a screen and its embedded technology may feel obsolete or unusable. However, with everything connecting back to the world of Horology and that semantic link, it should ensure that the Tourbillon’s cabin stays relevant for decades to come. View All Bugattis For Sale " width="680"> Images: Bugatti

By Khris Bharath – November 01, 2025

Record-Breaking Gathering: 60 Bugattis Unite at the Las V...

Las Vegas has hosted its fair share of automotive spectacles, but this one, from earlier this week, is one of the most significant. In the early morning light, rows of Bugatti Veyrons and Chirons gleamed under the Nevada sky, framed by the Wynn’s manicured lawns and the unmistakable red glow of the Sphere in the background. More than 60 Bugattis gathered for the Las Vegas Concours (October 31 - November 2), making it the largest Bugatti gathering in history. Among them, 49 Veyrons and dozens of W16-powered successors and special editions, all assembled to mark the 20th anniversary of the Veyron 16.4, the car that rewrote the rules of supercars and exotic cars back in the mid-2000s. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miller Motorcars (@millermotorcars) Last year, Bugatti brought similar energy to the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, hosting an ultra-luxury owners' experience that saw clients drive on the F1 circuit under the lights, while also venturing out into the Nevada desert. That same blend of performance and exclusivity carried over into this year’s Concours event, where an unprecedented fleet of Bugattis, Veyrons, Chirons, Divos, Centodiecis, Mistrals, and Bolides lined up in perfect symmetry on the grass. Every car gathered here tells part of the story that began in 2005, when the Veyron famously debuted with 1,001 horsepower and a verified top speed of 253 mph, dethroning the McLaren F1’s long-held record to become the fastest production car in the world. That historic top speed run at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track, with factory driver Andy Wallace behind the wheel, marked the beginning of Bugatti’s modern age. Image Source: Bugatti Under Ferdinand Piëch’s leadership, the now iconic quad-turbo W16 became the foundation of an era defined by innovation. From the Veyron Super Sport to the Chiron, each new model refined the same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged masterpiece. Now, with the Rimac-led Tourbillon set to debut with an all-new V16 hybrid powertrain, this gathering was both a celebration and a farewell. The Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance at the Wynn has quickly evolved into one of America’s most exclusive automotive events. Set against the opulent backdrop of the Strip, it brings together historic icons, coachbuilt masterpieces, and contemporary legends in one place. For Bugatti, it was the ideal stage to honor two decades of engineering excellence. With just 450 Veyrons and 500 Chirons ever produced, this stunning lineup of 60+ Bugatti hypercars in Nevada represented a once-in-a-lifetime view of the entire W16 bloodline and 90,000+ horsepower, gathered in one single place. For Miller Motorcars and Bugatti Greenwich, which has long played a role in the sale and upkeep of many of these vehicles, this event marked a celebration of a two-decade-long relationship with the French marque and its clientele. View All Bugattis For Sale Images: @millermotorcars @bugattigreenwich

Bugatti dealership exterior with large glass windows displaying a Bugatti car inside; "BUGATTI" sign above entrance and "Kingsway Apex" sign on upper left, representing a premier Shanghai showroom in Mainland China.

By Khris Bharath – October 20, 2025

Bugatti Expands Into Mainland China With New Shanghai Sho...

Bugatti has just opened its first dedicated showroom in mainland China. Located in the heart of Shanghai, the nation’s financial capital and one of the world’s most progressive cities, this new space is a sign of Bugatti’s deepening roots in a market that’s become one of its most passionate. The company’s long-standing partnership with Kingsway Apex, covering both mainland China and Hong Kong, has been central to building Bugatti’s presence in Asia. VIP clients and select media got a first look at a space that meets Bugatti’s global standards, blending minimalist sophistication with the brand’s design-inspired DNA. Also making its China debut was a 1-of-40 Bugatti Divo. Each carries an $8 million price tag and is powered by Bugatti’s legendary quad-turbocharged W16. Top executives, including Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, and Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director of Bugatti, attended the launch, highlighting how crucial this market is to Bugatti. “With the unveiling of the Tourbillon in China earlier this year, we have witnessed an incredible passion for Bugatti hypercars since the Veyron, which celebrates its 20-year anniversary, and an exceptional appreciation for engineering artistry. Shanghai – a city where tradition and innovation converge – is the ideal location for our first brand showroom in mainland China. This new space has been designed as a destination where clients can have a taste of the unparalleled experience we champion for all over the world.”- Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director at Bugatti. Bugatti also used the occasion to preview its Bugatti Home collection, designed in partnership with Luxury Living. Pieces like the TYPE_3 sofa finished in Voltaic Blue with the ‘EB’ logo, the TYPE_14 rug that takes inspiration from Bugatti’s hypercar lineup, and the TYPE_11 side table, which follows the brand’s characteristic ‘C’ curve. From the stitching to the color palette, every detail reinforces what Bugatti stands for: engineering excellence and exquisite craftsmanship coming together. The Chinese automotive market remains the largest and one of the most dynamic in the world, with about 31 million passenger vehicles sold in 2024. The luxury segment alone is worth more than $150 billion. While domestic brands have grown and are increasingly becoming well known globally, a traditional legacy brand like Bugatti continues to hold its ground, because for Chinese collectors, the French marque represents something no startup brand can match: provenance and heritage. The Shanghai showroom cements that connection and is a space where customers can not only specify their own bespoke future creations, but also closely engage, visualize, and preview the vast selection of options and materials that Bugatti offers. View All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

Close-up view of a Bugatti's exterior, showcasing smooth green and black surfaces with a sharp panel line—hinting at the remarkable details of this one-off supercar ahead of its August 7 reveal.

By Khris Bharath – August 03, 2025

Bugatti Teases Mysterious One-Off Supercar Ahead of Augus...

Just when we thought Bugatti's Pïech-era W16 chapter might be closing with the Mistral, the French marque has dropped a mysterious teaser of a coachbuilt one-off hypercar, set to be unveiled this coming week on Thursday, August 7, just days ahead of an action-packed Monterey Car Week. Finished in a light hue of metallic green, the teaser clip doesn’t reveal much besides a sharply sculpted silhouette that conveys aerodynamic intent. A low-slung rear deck features what appears to be a twin-pane glass engine cover framed in matte black. The caption reads 'The art of coach building. It's been in our DNA for over a century. On August 7th, we will unveil our new chapter. Our latest Solitaire.' This bespoke build has been commissioned by Dutch entrepreneur Michel Perridon, founder of Perridon Holdings and a longtime Bugatti collector, with everything from pre-war greats like the Type 57G “Tank” to modern-day Bugattis like the EB110 and multiple versions of the record-breaking Veyron and Chiron. Given the ultra-exclusive nature of the models in his collection, you can expect more of the same from this upcoming coach-built one-off. Bugatti’s legacy in coachbuilding, of course, goes back nearly a century. In the 1930s, the marque produced iconic cars like the coveted Type 57SC Atlantic and the Type 41 Royale, while in the modern era, Bugatti has revived that spirit with the likes of the track-focused Divo (coming up for public auction at Monterey), and the one-off La Voiture Noire, inspired by Jean Bugatti’s long-lost black Atlantic. While Bugatti hasn’t officially revealed any details about the chassis, it is highly likely that this could continue to be based on the Chiron platform, given the fuel-consumption link shared in the post, which points to Chiron derivatives. But crucially, if Bugatti is still continuing to build bespoke W16-powered cars in 2025, long after announcing the end of W16 production, could this be the start of a new swan song series, before the hybrid era truly kicks off with the upcoming V16-powered Tourbillon? Whatever it is, we will find out this coming week. Watch this space. View All Bugattis For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by BUGATTI (@bugatti) Source: Bugatti

A white LEGO sports car with black details is displayed on a black background, accompanied by a LEGO figure in white. LEGO and Bugatti unite to celebrate the iconic Centodieci, bringing this legendary car to brick-built life.

By Khris Bharath – August 03, 2025

LEGO and Bugatti Unite to Celebrate the Iconic Centodieci

When the Bugatti Centodeici was conceived, only 10 examples were built at the French marque’s Molsheim Atelier to exacting bespoke standards, with each of them being a highly exclusive model sold to collectors. Now, a new 291-piece LEGO Speed Champions Bugatti Centodieci is an homage to the French hypercar and is giving the rest of us a chance to park one on our shelves. “The Bugatti Centodieci is among the most distinctive creations in our history. Thanks to our collaboration with the LEGO Group, more people than ever before can experience this extraordinary car.” - Wiebke Ståhl, Managing Director of Bugatti International S.A. Centodieci may sound exotic, but it simply translates to “one hundred and ten” in Italian, a nod to the 110th anniversary of Bugatti’s founding in 1909. Unveiled during Monterey Car Week in August 2019, the hypercar was also a tribute to the 1990s icon, the EB110, and it entered production in 2021 and wrapped up the following year. Wearing Quartz White paint, carbon-fiber trim, and a quilted Light Blue Sport leather interior, this Lego set is a tribute to that final Centodieci delivered in December 2022. At just over 6.0 inches long, 2.5 inches wide, and 1.5 inches tall, the model might be small and comparable to between 1:28 and 1:32 scale models, but the attention to detail is anything but. LEGO Designers worked on highlighting iconic Centodeici features like the five circular side air intakes, the aggressive overhanging rear wing, the horseshoe grille, the razor-sharp headlights, and even the four tailpipes stacked on either side of the aggressive rear diffuser. Unique wheels and a Bugatti-branded driver minifigure round out the package. Now, this isn’t LEGO’s first foray into Bugatti territory. Over the years, the LEGO Group has tackled multiple hypercars, including the extreme Bolide and even full-scale, drivable 1:1 models based on the Chiron and the Centodeici joins that legacy. “LEGO fans really appreciate aesthetic and detailed cars. With this set, they can build and display the Centodieci, a piece that embodies elegance and high performance.” - Michael Vanting, Marketing Lead at LEGO Speed Champions. Where the real Centodieci took months to build and cost millions, this one fits in your hand and sells for considerably less at $26.99. With a set like this one, the aim is to inspire the next generation of Bugatti enthusiasts. The LEGO Speed Champions Bugatti Centodieci is now available for purchase via the LEGO website and at LEGO stores globally. Shop Bugatti Centodeici Speed Champions LEGO Set Source: LEGO

By Khris Bharath – August 01, 2025

#1-of-40 Bugatti Divo Could Fetch $9 Million At The Quail...

By any measure, the Bugatti Divo is already a marvel of engineering. But this particular example chassis # VF9SD3V34LM795015 is especially significant, because it’s the first Divo being offered at public auction. When it crosses the block at The Quail, this Divo, being offered by Bonhams Cars (Lot 196) at no reserve, with fewer than 800 miles on the clock, could fetch between $7.0 and $9.0 million based on early estimates. That’s no surprise for a machine as rare, radical, and revered as this one. Earlier this month, we reported on a Bollide, another ultra-limited Bugatti going under the hammer for an estimated $6.0 million. While that one is a track-only, no-rules hypercar, built for circuit domination, the Divo, on the other hand, is street-legal. However, let’s be honest, this car isn’t likely to rack up much mileage either. It’s destined for climate-controlled collections, hypercar concours gatherings, and the occasional adrenaline-filled canyon run or track-day stint, if that. This particular example, with contrasting racing blue accents and the French tricolor, was delivered new to a Florida collector in 2020; it was later displayed at the Petersen Museum’s Hypercars: The Allure of the Extreme exhibit. Currently fitted with aftermarket alloys for presentation, the car comes with its original wheels and documents. But for some context about what makes the Divo so exclusive and collectible, we need to rewind about seven years. Unveiled in 2018 at Pebble Beach, ironically, very close to the venue where it will go under the hammer for the first time in a few weeks from now, the Divo can be best described as a more aggressive evolution of the Chiron. Same chassis, same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 putting out an identical 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque, but with a totally reimagined body and mission. Bugatti set out to create a machine with sharper handling, more downforce, and greater agility. The Divo’s top speed at 236 mph is lower than the Chiron’s 261 mph, but around the 3.85-mile handling loop at the Nardò ring in southern Italy, it was a full eight seconds quicker than the standard Chiron. As for the name, Albert Divo, the French driver who won the Targa Florio twice for Bugatti back in the 1920s, this hyper sports car also revived Bugatti’s long-standing tradition of in-house coachbuilding. Every line and intake on the aggressive Divo’s bodywork, from the wider air inlets and large front splitter to the dramatic roof-mounted NACA duct and active rear wing, serves a purpose. At 1,005 pounds, the Divo generates 198 pounds more downforce than the Chiron and weighs 77 pounds less, thanks to carbon fiber components, thinner glass, and even carbon-fiber wipers, tipping the scales at 4,323 pounds. Inside, it’s a study in lightweight luxury. Alcantara dominates the cabin, the Divo Blue accents flow into the sculpted seats, and even the paddle shifters are enlarged for quick engagement. There's a quiet nod to history with Rembrandt Bugatti’s elephant emblem on the passenger seat. With only 40 units made, all of which were offered exclusively to Chiron owners and sold out even before the aforementioned public reveal at Pebble Beach, it presents collectors with the rare opportunity to acquire something really special. Cars like the Divo rarely surface on the market, and, along with the Bolide and the Mistral, it remains a jewel in Bugatti’s modern portfolio from the Pïech-era, with Tourbillon embarking on the next chapter. View Listing Source: Bonhams Cars

A Bugatti W16 Mistral speeds down the road, while a person tests and writes notes near another sports car in Molsheim; gloved hands tightly grip a steering wheel inside a car.

By Khris Bharath – July 01, 2025

No Bugatti W16 Mistral Leaves Molsheim Without Surviving ...

In the modern Bugatti lineage, the Mistral is a model of great significance. As the French marque moves on to a naturally aspirated V16 in the Tourbillon, the iconic W16 that defined the record-breaking Veyron and subsequently the Chiron, represents the swan song for the mighty engine envisioned by none other than the late Ferdinand Pïech. So with a two-decade-long legacy to uphold, Bugatti has left nothing to chance with the quad-turbo unit's final act, the Mistral. The W16 Mistral is Bugatti's first roadster in over a decade, with its predecessor being the mighty Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. The Mistral packs an 8.0-liter W16 engine that produces 1,600 horsepower. But building the ultimate open-top Hypercar also means pushing every boundary, both emotional and mechanical, to the absolute limit. Before signing off, every single Mistral must earn its badge through a brutal 400-kilometer (248-mile) real-world quality assessment road test, across the Alsatian countryside in France, home turf for Bugatti. Our evaluation protocol isn’t just about validating functionality, but a confirmation that each W16 Mistral is imbued with the pure essence of quality, precision, and craftsmanship that makes a Bugatti truly extraordinary. - Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles According to Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles, this evaluation process goes beyond the normal fit & finish assessment and is one that has been evolving for the past 20 years, since the days of the Veyron, refined for the Chiron, and now perfected for the Mistral. The test route features everything from narrow-cobblestone streets in medieval European villages that test the ride quality and chassis irregularities to sweeping technical mountain passes that put the powertrain under varying elevation and atmospheric conditions. Fast sections on the autoroutes (highways) help evaluate stability under sustained loads. Transmission performance is also thoroughly analyzed during acceleration, deceleration, and varied load scenarios, ensuring every gear change feels instinctive Each test car is assigned to one of only three Bugatti-qualified personnel, who have been trained over the years to sense and detect even the most minute irregularities, if any. Test drivers rely on acoustics to detect unwanted resonance or drivetrain inconsistencies. All the data is recorded and logged through a dictaphone for further evaluation and analysis, and if needed, the car is partially or even completely disassembled to fix issues. Close to 90 percent of the test relies upon human touch, sight, and sound. The remaining 10 percent is a precise digital affair that relies upon proprietary telemetry and data loggers for performance tracking, down to the millisecond. Bugatti also subjects the Mistral to comprehensive noise testing, analyzing the acoustics of the exhaust, road, and wind, with and without the roof in place. The removable roof is not only rigorously tested for fit and function, but also to ensure that it holds firm at 300 km/h (186 mph) on Colmar airfield's 1,600-meter (1 mile) test strip. As part of Bugatti’s track session, the automaker maintains an exclusive partnership with the facility where braking systems, ESP, and ABS are tested from 300 km/h (186 mph). After fixing any issues (if found), each car returns for a final evaluation, often on a 50 km (31 mile), re-run, and this continues until Bugatti themselves is satisfied and every detail is perfected, all before a Mistral ever sees a showroom floor. In conclusion, before any Mistral ever reaches its new owner, it must prove its worth on real roads and under real scrutiny of Bugatti’s stringent and unforgiving standards. View All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Khris Bharath – June 03, 2025

Bugatti Unveils Brand-New Washington D.C. Showroom Amid T...

On May 30, 2025, Bugatti officially opened its new showroom in Washington, D.C. An elegant evening of cocktails and live entertainment, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, saw more than 60 VIPs, ranging from clients and connoisseurs to distinguished collectors, attend the grand opening. They were joined by key company figures like Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, Sascha Doering, COO for the Americas, and Amir Hadzimehmedovic, General Manager of Bugatti Washington. The 202 square-meter space has been designed from the ground up and is a reflection of the French marque’s latest corporate identity, something that we also saw not too long ago at the unveiling of Bugatti’s new Berlin Design HQ. “This space is not a showroom. It’s a home—a place for clients to be immersed, inspired, and ultimately create a car that reflects who they are.” - Amir Hadzimehmedovic, General Manager of Bugatti Washington At the heart of this celebration was the V16-powered Bugatti Tourbillon, sitting alongside a Chiron Pur Sport and a Heritage Type-35. Unveiled in June last year, Bugatti’s latest flagship hypercar is now beginning the North American leg of its global tour. Washington is its first stop, an intentional choice that aligns with the dealership’s strategic role to make Bugatti’s presence felt, not just in the region, but on the East Coast. Since launching operations back in April 2022, under Lithia Motors, Inc., Bugatti Washington has quickly become one of the most impressive outposts in the brand’s North American strategy, as it has secured orders for two Chiron Super Sports, three Chiron Pur Sports, four Mistrals, and nine Tourbillon models. In the niche world of multi-million-dollar supercars and hypercars, such numbers speak volumes. Washington’s position as a diplomatic epicenter means that this location has a global impact. From ambassadors and government officials to international entrepreneurs, D.C. has one of the highest concentrations of high-net-worth individuals in the United States and is well suited for a brand like Bugatti. “Washington represents the perfect convergence of diplomatic influence, cultural sophistication, and appreciation for engineering excellence” - Sascha Doering, COO for the Americas, Bugatti As Bugatti continues to expand its presence across North America, the new Washington showroom is yet another significant step in reinforcing its presence on the East Coast. It joins a carefully curated network of fewer than a dozen Bugatti dealerships across the United States, positioned to serve a clientele that values performance, luxury, exclusivity, and heritage that goes back over a century. View All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti