Bugatti has unveiled its latest marvel, the Bugatti Tourbillon, a groundbreaking hybrid supercar with a staggering price tag of $4 million. This new model is set to replace the $3.3 million, 1,500 horsepower Bugatti Chiron, pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation and luxury.
Contrary to expectations of an all-electric vehicle, especially given the industry’s shift towards electrification and Bugatti’s merger with Rimac, the Croatian electric supercar maker, the Tourbillon remains a hybrid. Mate Rimac, the CEO of Bugatti Rimac, affirmed his commitment to maintaining the essence of Bugatti’s heritage through a powerful plug-in hybrid, rather than an all-electric vehicle.
The Bugatti Tourbillon, like its predecessors the Chiron and Veyron, features a massive 16-cylinder gasoline engine. Developed in collaboration with the British racing engineering firm Cosworth, this engine is complemented by three robust electric motors—one at the rear and two at the front—collectively producing at least 800 horsepower. The combined output of the Tourbillon reaches an astonishing 1,800 horsepower, according to Bugatti Rimac.
One significant shift from the Chiron is the Tourbillon’s naturally aspirated engine, which lacks the four turbochargers found in its predecessor. Mate Rimac explained that the goal was to create the most exhilarating and emotionally engaging combustion engine possible, characterized by high-revving, naturally aspirated performance.
“We wanted to make the most exciting, most emotional combustion engine possible,” Rimac said, “and that is high revving, naturally aspirated.”
The Tourbillon’s interior design pays homage to traditional mechanical craftsmanship. Its name, derived from a complex set of gears used in mechanical watches to enhance accuracy, reflects this dedication. The car’s instrument display is inspired by mechanical watch dials, featuring a central speedometer with two needles—one indicating speed and the other showing the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM).
“One of the first things we did when the new company was formed, I took the whole team to Switzerland and we visited a few watchmakers,” Rimac shared.
In a nod to modern technology, the Tourbillon includes a concealed display screen with Apple CarPlay functionality, which emerges only upon request. Bugatti designers opted to minimize the presence of screens, believing that digital displays can quickly become outdated.
“We think, really, how will this product look in 50 years, 100 years,” Rimac explained. “And it’s clear that, if you have a screen, it won’t look that great.”
The Tourbillon’s hybrid system allows it to travel approximately 37 miles on electric power alone before the gasoline engine engages. However, drivers have the option to run the gasoline engine continuously if desired.
Production of the Tourbillon will remain a meticulous process, with each car being handcrafted at Bugatti’s boutique factory in Molsheim, France. Only 250 units will be made, ensuring exclusivity and preserving Bugatti’s legacy of bespoke luxury vehicles. The starting price for this engineering masterpiece is set at around $4 million each, solidifying its status as a symbol of unparalleled performance and opulence.