Bugatti’s W16 finale is a masterpiece of open-top engineering.
The Bugatti W16 Mistral was revealed as the final Bugatti model to sport the W16 engine, a revolutionary powertrain with 8 liters of displacement and four turbochargers. Introduced with the Veyron, Bugatti’s W16-powered hypercars changed the world and forced the automotive industry to reimagine what performance cars are capable of. Finally, roughly 20 years later, Bugatti has started a new revolution, retiring its W16 powerplant in favor of a naturally aspirated V16 with hybrid assist, powering the new Bugatti Tourbillon hypercar with an incredible 1,800 horsepower.
However, the W16’s sunset hasn’t happened quite yet, as examples of Bugatti’s final and most impressive W16 hypercars are still going to be made. These are the extreme track-only Bugatti Bolide, and the open-top Bugatti W16 Mistral. The Bugatti W16 Mistral is not only one of the ultimate expressions of Bugatti’s W16 performance, but it is also the ultimate expression of Bugatti’s W16 roadsters, delivering its incredible performance and luxury with an open top.
This presented unique engineering challenges that proved surmountable through Bugatti’s unparalleled expertise and refusal to cut any corners. Promising a top speed above 260 mph, it was incredibly difficult to combine the targeted performance of the W16 Mistral with its open top body style.
Despite Bugatti’s cars being beautiful, the manufacturer is known for adopting a “form follows performance” design ethos, meaning that every detail of the W16 Mistral, from the shape of the iconic horseshoe grille, to the signature Bugatti “C” curve, and even the X-shaped taillight assembly are all crafted specifically to guide the air around the W16 Mistral in the most effective way possible, while simultaneously evoking avant-garde beauty and the cherished design elements of Bugatti classics, making the Bugatti W16 Mistral a one-of-a-kind masterpiece of hypercar engineering.
Image Source: Bugatti