Mate Rimac, the CEO of Bugatti Rimac, articulated the guiding principles behind the Bugatti Tourbillon¹: “The development of the Bugatti Tourbillon was continuously shaped by Bugatti’s 115-year legacy and the ethos of Ettore Bugatti himself. His unwavering principles, ‘if comparable it is no longer Bugatti’ and ‘nothing is too beautiful,’ served as my personal compass, as well as for the design and engineering teams tasked with sculpting the next thrilling chapter in the Bugatti hyper sports car saga.”
“Icons such as the Type 57SC Atlantic, celebrated as the most beautiful car globally, the Type 35, the most victorious racing car in history, and the Type 41 Royale, one of the most ambitious luxury automobiles ever conceived, represent our three pillars of inspiration. Beauty, performance, and luxury formed the foundational blueprint for the Tourbillon; a vehicle designed to be more elegant, more emotionally resonant, and more luxurious than any predecessor. In essence, incomparable. And akin to those legendary forebears, it is not merely intended for the present, or even the future, but Pour l’éternité – for eternity.”
Marking a departure as the first Bugatti in over two decades not powered by the iconic W16 engine, the tradition of naming core models after historic Bugatti racing legends is reimagined. Instead, the moniker Tourbillon was deliberately chosen to perfectly encapsulate the car’s essence. A French term, subtly nodding to Bugatti’s French roots and its Molsheim home, tourbillon refers to a horological innovation born from a Swiss genius residing in France in 1801. A wholly original and unmatched creation, it embodies both complexity and beauty, ingeniously counteracting gravity’s influence on a watch to ensure unparalleled timekeeping precision. Even over two centuries later, it remains revered as the zenith of watchmaking artistry.
This notion of enduring mechanical artistry was central to the Bugatti Tourbillon’s creation. For a car destined for concours lawns in this century and beyond, rapidly evolving digital technology, particularly large screens, can quickly become dated. Therefore, the focus was on incorporating timeless components. The Tourbillon embraces numerous design and engineering philosophies that transcend time, including a fully analogue instrument cluster meticulously crafted by Swiss watchmakers. It is finished with the same meticulous care and attention to detail found in the world’s finest timepieces. Just as these watches become cherished heirlooms across generations, the Tourbillon is envisioned as a car designed for eternity, a true Bugatti Tourbillon Car.
Image alt text: Close-up of the Bugatti Tourbillon emblem and script, emphasizing the car’s name and the brand’s philosophy of timelessness and heritage.
Design and Aerodynamics: Shaped by Speed
Consistent with every modern Bugatti, the Tourbillon is intrinsically ‘shaped by speed’. Achieving velocities exceeding 400 km/h demands that every surface, inlet, and contour be meticulously sculpted. This ensures not only optimal aerodynamics but also contributes beneficially to the car’s thermodynamics. This principle underpins the Tourbillon, further refined by four core Bugatti design elements rooted in its illustrious history: the signature horseshoe grille, the sweeping Bugatti Line, the commanding central ridge, and the distinctive dual-color split.
Frank Heyl, Bugatti Director of Design, elaborated: “The creations of Ettore and Jean Bugatti are masterclasses in aerodynamic ingenuity, groundbreaking innovation, and enduring aesthetic appeal. We draw inspiration from the Bugatti Type 35, where the entire form of the car flowed from the horseshoe grille, tapering into a streamlined fuselage. The Type 57SC Atlantic inspires us – the ‘S’ denoted ‘Surbaissé,’ essentially meaning lowered – reducing the frontal area, lowering the roofline, lowering the driver, and establishing that iconic stance and proportion. Carefully orchestrating the placement of volumes, both functionally and proportionally, was paramount for us, supporting the car’s extreme dimensions. A lower car inherently appears wider, accentuating the wheel size; it conveys a sense of muscular tension, a posture poised to unleash. Every design decision is calibrated to evoke speed, even when stationary.”
“Ever since Jean Bugatti pioneered bold dual-tone paint schemes on his vehicles, it has become an integral facet of Bugatti’s design DNA. In the Tourbillon, we have reimagined it in a manner that is both authentic and contemporary. This color division occurs around our fourth key design element: the Bugatti line, originally inspired by the color split lines of the Type 41 Royale and revived as a central design motif for both the Veyron and Chiron². In harmony with our new proportions and lowered roofline, the Bugatti line now curves more sharply, leaning slightly forward as it elegantly traces the roofline, infusing the side profile with a sense of forward motion.”
While undeniably beautiful in its design and proportions, every surface, intake, and vent is meticulously engineered to manage the immense aerodynamic forces encountered at speeds exceeding 400 km/h. They also address the thermodynamic demands of the V16 engine, electric motors, and battery system operating at peak performance in this Bugatti Tourbillon car.
Leveraging over two decades of expertise from the Veyron and Chiron programs, the Tourbillon incorporates several patented technologies. Consequently, the rear wing remains subtly integrated even at top speed, achieving a perfect equilibrium of forces through these innovative solutions. The wing actively adjusts to generate increased downforce at lower speeds and acts as an airbrake to enhance stability during deceleration.
A significant contributor to this aerodynamic balance is the novel diffuser concept, which ascends from just behind the passenger compartment, rising at an optimal angle to maintain the Tourbillon’s poise. The diffuser is constructed around a completely redesigned crash structure, seamlessly integrated within the diffuser itself. This keeps it exceptionally effective yet discreetly concealed, enabling the open rear-end aesthetic.
At the core of the Tourbillon’s design ethos is the iconic horseshoe grille, the origin point for all the car’s lines, shaping the central fuselage volume. Flanking this are the ‘flying fenders’ which channel air beneath the headlights, boosting airflow into the side intakes. This intricate interplay of airflow is further exemplified in the frontal design. While maintaining the dimensions of a sculpted overhang, it cleverly houses an ultra-efficient cooling system that directs air through and out of the front bonnet. This augments downforce while ingeniously packaging a sizable front trunk (frunk) between the two radiators.
Advanced, electrically actuated dihedral doors not only facilitate effortless entry but also create a dramatic sense of arrival. They can be operated via the key fob, a door button discreetly positioned beneath the Bugatti Line, and on the center console.
Image alt text: Side profile of the Bugatti Tourbillon showcasing its aerodynamic silhouette, the signature Bugatti line, and the dihedral doors, highlighting the fusion of design and performance.
Interior: Timelessness Redefined
As automotive manufacturers embraced digital screens and touchscreens, the pace of technological advancement has been so rapid that technology can appear outdated within a decade. Envisioning the Tourbillon gracing concours d’elegance lawns not just in 10 years, but potentially in 100, the interior design philosophy prioritized timelessness. Inspired by the world of horology, where wristwatches over a century old remain wearable and seamlessly integrated into modern lifestyles, the design and engineering teams pioneered an authentic analogue experience within the cabin of this Bugatti Tourbillon car.
The centerpiece of this philosophy is the instrument cluster, a literal embodiment of horological principles. Designed and constructed with the expertise of Swiss watchmakers, this masterpiece comprises over 600 individual parts, crafted from titanium and precious gemstones like sapphire and ruby. The skeletonized cluster is built to tolerances as fine as 50 microns, with the most minute detail at 5 microns, yet weighs a mere 700g. This meticulously engineered marvel remains the focal point of the driving experience. It is fixed in place while the steering wheel rim rotates around it – a configuration known as a fixed hub steering wheel. This ingenious design ensures Tourbillon drivers have an unobstructed view of their instrumentation regardless of the steering angle, as the spokes extend behind the instrument cluster.
The center console is an artful blend of crystal glass and aluminum, revealing the intricate mechanisms of the switches and the engine start ‘pull’ lever it houses. The glass underwent a 13-stage development process to ensure perfect clarity alongside extreme strength and safety in case of an accident. The console’s aluminum components are anodized and milled from a single block of metal. Knurled aluminum switches sit atop a complex mechanism fully visible beneath the crystal glass – entirely developed in-house. The act of igniting the all-new naturally aspirated V16 engine and electric powertrain is designed as a tactile ritual, a nod to the traditions of classic automobiles – a pull to initiate and a push to cease.
Discreetly concealed until needed is a high-definition digital screen, displaying vehicle data and offering seamless mobile connectivity. An intricately engineered mechanism deploys the touchscreen from the top of the center console; portrait mode for the reversing camera activates in just two seconds, and full landscape mode in five seconds.
Every interior decision, mirroring the exterior, is driven by peak performance without compromising practicality or comfort. The seats, for instance, are fixed to the floor for optimal lightness and a low seating position. However, the pedal box is electrically adjustable fore and aft to accommodate drivers of all sizes comfortably. This innovative solution contributes to a spacious interior, ideal for extended journeys and daily usability. Even the audio system deviates from conventional speakers and woofers, opting for an advanced system that utilizes exciters on door panels and throughout the car, turning existing interior panels into speakers. This results in a lighter and more efficient audio setup compared to traditional systems.
Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti, stated: “Alongside the remarkable analogue innovations that define this timeless interior, we prioritized material authenticity and unwavering perfection in every detail. We informally say ‘what you see is what you get,’ meaning if you perceive a component to be titanium, it is indeed titanium. Or if you see carbon fiber or leather, it is precisely that – and always of the highest possible quality. With the Tourbillon, we are elevating this impeccable authenticity and craftsmanship to unprecedented levels. Our entirely new Bugatti platform is meticulously designed in every aspect to embody the pursuit of engineering excellence. Observing any of Ettore Bugatti’s creations, it’s evident that every component – even unseen elements – is a work of art. This was our guiding principle for the Tourbillon as well. It is breathtaking in every detail, unmistakably Bugatti, and a masterpiece of packaging and engineering.”
Image alt text: Detailed view of the Bugatti Tourbillon’s interior, emphasizing the analogue instrument cluster crafted by Swiss watchmakers, the crystal glass center console, and the luxurious material finishes.
Powertrain and Performance: A New Masterpiece of Engineering
The Bugatti W16 engine, upon its debut, was unparalleled in the automotive world. With its quad-turbo configuration and staggering power output, it established a new benchmark for combustion engine technology. Even two decades after its inception, it remains unmatched and unreplicated. Following in its monumental footsteps is another incomparable marvel of internal combustion engineering, seamlessly integrated with the instantaneous torque and responsiveness of electric motors in this Bugatti Tourbillon car.
This next-generation Bugatti hyper sports car is propelled by an all-new 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine – engineered in collaboration with Cosworth – coupled with a front e-Axle incorporating two electric motors and a single electric motor positioned at the rear axle. Collectively, the Tourbillon generates 1,800 horsepower, with 1,000 hp originating from the combustion engine and 800 hp from the electric motors. This is an extraordinary achievement, realized through the implementation of cutting-edge materials and technology. Remarkably, the Veyron, with its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16, produced 1,001 hp, while the new V16 achieves comparable output naturally aspirated. Constructed from lightweight materials, the engine weighs a mere 252 kg.
Powering the electric motors is a 25 kWh oil-cooled 800V battery pack, strategically housed in the central tunnel and behind the passenger compartment. Featuring four-wheel drive and comprehensive torque-vectoring, it delivers ultimate traction and agility. The front e-axle incorporates two electric motors, with an additional motor on the rear axle, totaling 800 hp from the electric powertrain system. The electric powertrain, with motors reaching speeds of up to 24,000 RPM and a fully integrated dual silicon-carbide inverter, stands as one of the most power-dense globally. The e-axles achieve over 6 kW per kg of e-axle mass, encompassing inverters, motors, and gearboxes. While power, throttle response, and torque-fill are paramount for the electric powertrain, the substantial 25 kWh energy capacity provides a practical all-electric range exceeding 60 km / 37 miles.
In the automotive industry, it is common for each new model to be heavier than its predecessor, particularly when incorporating hybrid powertrains or enhanced performance. However, with a new Bugatti, defying expectations is the norm. The Tourbillon boasts significantly improved performance, a potent electric powertrain, a large battery pack, yet it weighs less than the Chiron. This is a testament to the exceptional engineering behind the Tourbillon. With its lightweight construction and instantaneous torque delivery from the electric motors, the Bugatti Tourbillon delivers unprecedented performance.
Thanks to the synergy of an exceptionally advanced hybrid powertrain, lightweight engineering, efficient packaging, and refined aerodynamics, the Tourbillon will substantially reduce emissions compared to its predecessor while elevating the driving experience and pushing the boundaries of automotive excellence.
Emilio Scervo, CTO Bugatti Rimac, explained: “The Tourbillon had to be incomparable in every dimension. Our guiding principle was to take every facet of the Chiron and elevate it, seeking elegant and sophisticated engineering solutions and pioneering technologies to craft a timeless masterpiece. We aimed for every component of this car, inside, outside, and underneath, to be worthy of display in an art gallery. The outcome is a vehicle that is both aesthetically stunning and technically profound, the most powerful Bugatti to date, simultaneously elevating mechanical fascination and technical beauty to a new zenith.”
“The powertrain was perhaps the most critical decision we faced, considering every conceivable option: re-engineering the W16, transitioning to fully electric, or creating something entirely novel. Ultimately, we embraced the most challenging path – developing a powertrain from the ground up and seamlessly integrating it with a complex e-motor system, a new generation eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and more, all specifically engineered for the Tourbillon. It was crucial for us that this car retained the pure and raw analogue feel of a naturally aspirated combustion engine, while complementing it with the agility and responsiveness offered by electric motors.”
“We have experienced the visceral and awe-inspiring sound of this car reaching its 9,000rpm redline under full throttle, a sensation that will resonate for eternity. With the Tourbillon, we have engineered a car that delivers the best of both combustion technology and electrification – free from compromises and built with a timeless dedication to creating an unforgettable driving experience.”
Image alt text: Close-up view of the Bugatti Tourbillon’s V16 engine, highlighting its naturally aspirated design and the engineering collaboration with Cosworth, emphasizing power and innovation.
Engineering: Redefining Hypercar Architecture
The Tourbillon is architected around an entirely new chassis and body structure. The structure is constructed from a next-generation T800 carbon composite, incorporating weight-saving innovations such as integrating the battery as a structural element of the monocoque and an unprecedented crash composite rear diffuser, inspired by top-tier motorsport engineering. The front composite air ducts that channel air through the car’s front are also structurally integral, ensuring every component of the rigid, lightweight structure is optimized. For example, the front and rear frames feature low-pressure thin-wall aluminum casting and 3D-printed structural braces, contributing to a structure significantly lighter and stiffer than its predecessor.
The completely redesigned chassis incorporates multi-link suspension both front and rear, forged from aluminum, moving away from the double wishbone steel construction of the Chiron. By adopting a new organic-designed suspension arm and upright, 3D-printed in aluminum, engineers achieved a 45% reduction in suspension weight compared to the Chiron. The rear suspension also features an AI-developed 3D-printed hollow airfoil arm to enhance vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic performance of this Bugatti Tourbillon car.
The brakes are equally advanced, featuring state-of-the-art carboceramic technology. A bespoke brake-by-wire system is introduced, seamlessly integrated with the adjustable pedal box and blended through an integrated vehicle non-linear controller developed by Bugatti to harmonize with the hybrid powertrain. Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires – sized 285/35 R20 at the front and 345/30 R21 at the rear – are bespoke developments specifically for the Tourbillon.
Within the new chassis, the ultra-compact and lightweight front e-axle with dual independent motors, including the dual-inverter, fits within the same packaging space as in the Chiron. This adds greater complexity without increasing space requirements. Designers and engineers also created more storage capacity and a larger luggage compartment as part of the clean-sheet chassis and bodyshell design, enabling owners to accommodate a set of bespoke Bugatti Tourbillon luggage.
Image alt text: Exploded view or schematic of the Bugatti Tourbillon’s chassis and engineering components, highlighting the carbon composite monocoque, multi-link suspension, and advanced brake system.
Coming in 2026: The Future of Bugatti
Mate Rimac, CEO Bugatti Rimac, concluded: “Looking back through Bugatti’s history at the creations of Ettore and Jean, it’s immediately apparent that they refused to compromise. Ettore’s extensive patent portfolio is testament to his relentless pursuit of the best solution, not the simplest. Even if a solution didn’t exist, he would create, test, and refine it until perfection was achieved, and then imbue it with beauty. This is why Bugatti cars are so revered today, and it is the driving force behind everything we have accomplished with the Tourbillon.”
“Yes, it is audacious to engineer a new V16 engine, integrate it with a novel battery pack and electric motors, incorporate a genuine Swiss-made watchmaker instrument cluster, 3D-printed suspension components, and a crystal glass center console. But this is precisely what Ettore would have done. It is what renders a Bugatti incomparable and timeless. Without such ambition, one might create a remarkable hyper sports car, but not an icon ‘Pour l’éternité’.”
The Bugatti Tourbillon is now entering its rigorous testing phase, with prototypes already undergoing road trials in anticipation of customer deliveries commencing in 2026. A limited run of 250 examples will be produced, with a starting price of 3.8 million EUR net. Hand-assembly will take place at the Bugatti Atelier in Molsheim, following the final W16-powered Bugatti models, the Bolide³ and W16 Mistral⁴. The Bugatti Tourbillon car represents not just a new vehicle, but a new epoch for hypercar excellence.
