Bugatti, the renowned hypercar manufacturer, has once again etched its name in automotive history by setting a new world record for the fastest open-top production car. This remarkable feat was achieved with the Bugatti W16 Mistral, a vehicle that embodies the brand’s relentless pursuit of speed, luxury, and unparalleled engineering. This record further cements the legacy of the Bugatti Car as a symbol of automotive excellence and innovation.
The record-breaking run took place at the high-speed oval track of ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH in Germany, a location known for facilitating world-record attempts. This event echoes Bugatti’s storied past of pushing speed boundaries, a journey that began in 2010 when the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport first claimed the world record at 431.07 km/h. Bugatti has consistently demonstrated its engineering prowess, further evidenced by the Chiron Super Sport 300+’s closed-cockpit record of 490.48 km/h in 2019. Not content with closed-roof records, Bugatti turned its attention to open-top vehicles, previously setting a benchmark with the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse at 408.84 km/h.
Pushing Limits with the W16 Mistral
Driven by the ambition to surpass its own open-top record, Bugatti meticulously prepared for this new challenge. Months of rigorous testing and planning culminated on November 9th in Papenburg. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as esteemed guests, Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, senior management, and the dedicated project team gathered to witness history in the making. Bugatti Pilote Officiel Andy Wallace, a Le Mans 24 Hours winner, was entrusted with piloting the one-off W16 Mistral World Record Car.
After a warm-up lap to prepare the bespoke high-performance tires, Wallace expertly navigated the Mistral onto the track’s banking. Gradually increasing speed to 200 km/h, he then unleashed the full force of the Bugatti car as he exited the banking onto the straight. With SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH overseeing and validating the attempt, Andy Wallace achieved an astounding 453.91 km/h, officially setting a new world top-speed record for an open-top production car.
A Driver’s Perspective
Andy Wallace recounted his exhilarating experience: “Throughout the testing program, the car’s stability was remarkable, almost urging me to push even harder. The record run itself was intensely thrilling. Feeling the raw power from the open cockpit and hearing the W16 engine’s roar from the air scoops beside me made the achievement deeply emotional. This record is a testament to Bugatti’s dedication to pushing automotive boundaries, demanding immense focus, commitment, and teamwork.”
An Exclusive Experience and a Unique Collection
Adding to the uniqueness of the event, the customer of the W16 Mistral World Record Car was present to witness this historic moment. This marked a first in Bugatti’s history, offering the customer an immersive weekend experience in celebration of the record. Further emphasizing the exceptional nature of the occasion, the customer had the extraordinary opportunity to experience a high-speed passenger run with Andy Wallace shortly after the record was set, reaching near-record speeds and potentially achieving an unofficial record for the fastest passenger ride.
This particular Bugatti car is set to join an unparalleled collection, The Singh Collection, owned by the customer. This collection already includes the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, and the Chiron Super Sport 300+, each representing Bugatti’s world record achievements. The W16 Mistral World Record Car, with its distinctive ‘Jet Orange’ accents – a color lineage tracing back to the original Veyron record cars – and visible-black carbon exterior, will stand as a vibrant symbol of this legacy. The interior echoes this design language with orange accents, enveloping the driver in the spirit of record-breaking success.
Bugatti’s Enduring Spirit of Innovation
Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, reflected on this significant milestone: “Since Bugatti’s inception, we have strived to redefine the limits of luxury, elegance, and performance. Our World Record Cars embody the pinnacle of speed and power, consistently setting new benchmarks for what a Bugatti car can achieve. The W16 Mistral World Record Car’s accomplishment is not just history repeating itself, but creating new history. We are incredibly proud of the entire team whose passion and pursuit of perfection made this possible. This is the essence of Bugatti – making the incomparable a reality.”
This record-breaking achievement with the W16 Mistral reaffirms Bugatti’s position at the forefront of automotive innovation and its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and luxury in the realm of the Bugatti car.
