Bugatti’s New Tourbillon Marries Cutting-Edge Performance with Timeless Design
Mate Rimac, the enthusiastic CEO of Bugatti Rimac, may have a slight cold, but his spirits certainly aren’t dampened. He’s eager to discuss the Bugatti Tourbillon, the second new model since the merger of Bugatti with Rimac in 2021. The Tourbillon represents a significant step forward, blending raw power with meticulous craftsmanship.
The Tourbillon replaces the Chiron’s quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16 engine with an entirely new 8.3-liter V-16. This naturally aspirated engine, developed with assistance from Cosworth, features a cross-plane crank—the 16-cylinder equivalent of a flat-plane V-8—and revs to an impressive 9000 rpm. It produces 986 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque.
Hybrid Powertrain and Performance
The Tourbillon’s powertrain isn’t just about its high-revving internal combustion engine. It incorporates electric motors, with two at the front axle and one at the rear. These motors contribute an additional 789 horsepower, resulting in a combined output of 1775 horsepower. The hypercar can also travel nearly 30 miles on electric power alone, offering a glimpse into the future of high-performance vehicles.
The Tourbillon’s design also reflects this innovative approach.
Interior and Design Details
The engine swap gave Bugatti Rimac flexibility in arranging the Tourbillon’s components. This allowed the team to create a more ergonomic cabin, complete with seven-figure-car-worthy dihedral doors and a lower, more aggressive profile. The eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox is now positioned behind the engine, and the 21.0-kWh battery pack runs up the center of the car.
The Tourbillon’s name, which refers to a rotating cage found in high-end mechanical watches, hints at its design inspiration. The instrument cluster, presented as a mechanical timepiece, is mounted to the steering column and is never obscured. The dials are covered with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, reinforcing the connection to luxury watchmaking.
Rimac emphasizes the focus on innovative interior design because, as he points out, screen technology often quickly dates a car. Frank Heyl, Bugatti Rimac’s director of design, echoes this sentiment, stating the need to create a car that remains relevant in the future.
Inside, the Tourbillon features a fixed-hub steering wheel that never obscures the instrument cluster. The gauges are crafted by a Swiss watchmaker, complete with raised numbers and physical needles. While there’s a small screen available for those who want it, this display can fold away. All elements of interior design are customizable, allowing Bugatti to match the car to a specific watch or yacht.
Aerodynamics and Performance
Exterior design cues, such as the horseshoe grille, the C-shaped dividing line at the cabin’s rear, and the raised spine on the roof, link the Tourbillon to past Bugatti models like the Type 35 and the Atlantic. Although it shares a silhouette with the Chiron, the Tourbillon has no shared components. It’s also 1.3 inches lower, with a narrower horseshoe grille, edgier C-line, and wider fenders.
Unlike many modern hypercars, the Tourbillon manages airflow through subtle entry points. A carbon-fiber underbody diffuser runs beneath the rear, allowing the submerged rear wing acts solely as an airbrake. The car’s software efficiently manages the engine and electric motors, with 0 to 60 mph acceleration estimated at 2.0 seconds and 0 to 250 mph in approximately 25 seconds. The car will reach a top speed of 277 mph.
Rimac states that the Tourbillon is about the same weight as a Chiron yet has more power, a reduced frontal area, and a hybrid powertrain. Only 250 of these exclusive hypercars will be built, with production starting in 2026. Those eager to own one must have an established history of purchasing Bugatti or Rimac models.
