Bugatti’s 1775-HP Tourbillon: The Ultimate Hybrid Hypercar You Need to Know About
Imagine a car that could redefine the boundaries of automotive engineering and design. Enter the Bugatti Tourbillon, the latest creation from the iconic French brand. Launched post the 2021 merger of Bugatti and Rimac, this hypercar marks a significant evolution from its predecessors like the Chiron. With a staggering 1775-horsepower and an astonishing hybrid powertrain, the Tourbillon is not just a marvel of mechanics but a testament to what the future holds for high-performance vehicles.
An Engine Like No Other
The heart of the Bugatti Tourbillon is an entirely new 8.3-liter V-16 engine, developed in collaboration with Cosworth. This beast of an engine, surprisingly, shuns forced induction in favor of natural aspiration, allowing it to spin up to a breathtaking 9000 rpm. This V-16 engine alone generates 986 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Unlike the Chiron’s quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16, this engine employs a cross-plane crank system, making it the 16-cylinder equivalent of a flat-plane V-8.
But don’t be quick to dismiss the Tourbillon as a step back from the Chiron’s 1578-hp output. Where it distinguishes itself is its hybrid powertrain. The V-16 engine gets an additional power boost from three electric motors—two at the front axle and one at the rear. These motors contribute an extra 789 horsepower, making the combined power output a mind-blowing 1775 horsepower. With the capacity to drive up to 30 miles purely on electric power, this hypercar is also somewhat eco-conscious.
Innovative Design and Ergonomics
The new engine architecture allowed Bugatti Rimac to rethink the car’s interior design. The Tourbillon boasts a more ergonomic cabin, characterized by luxurious dihedral doors and a lower, more aggressive body profile. Unlike the Chiron, which had its transmission positioned between the driver and passenger, the Tourbillon features an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox placed behind the engine. The 21.0-kWh battery pack runs through the center of the car, optimizing weight distribution and potentially improving drivability.
One of the unique highlights of the Tourbillon is its name. It’s inspired by a watch mechanism that continuously rotates in order to counteract the force of gravity, thereby improving accuracy. The gauge cluster in the car encapsulates this watch-like elegance, as it’s mounted on the steering column and made from milled sapphire crystal, offering unmatched scratch resistance. This sophisticated interior is complemented by a cluster of gauges crafted by Swiss watchmakers, offering a tactile and visual feast for the driver.
An Interior From Another Era
Bugatti has taken a bold step in ensuring that the Tourbillon’s interior stands the test of time. “The real revolution is in the interior,” says Mate Rimac, stressing the importance of avoiding quick-to-date screen technology. Frank Heyl, director of design for Bugatti Rimac, concurs, stating that the analog interior aims to keep the car relevant even in future decades when technologies like holographs and augmented reality become mainstream.
The Tourbillon’s interior is also remarkably customizable. Whether it's syncing the car’s aesthetics with a specific watch or yacht, Bugatti provides endless possibilities for personalization. This is luxury at its peak, where every element is meticulously designed and crafted for both form and function. Even the exterior keeps a nod to Bugatti’s heritage, maintaining classic design elements like the horseshoe grille and C-shaped lines while adding contemporary flair to ensure that the Tourbillon is unmistakably a Bugatti.
Engineering Masterpiece
Despite the Tourbillon’s luxurious leanings, it doesn't compromise on performance. The seamless integration of the V-16 engine with three electric motors allows this hypercar to achieve mind-blowing speeds. The car can hit 60 mph in an estimated 2.0 seconds and can achieve 250 mph in about 25 seconds. Smart software developed in-house at Bugatti Rimac manages the cohesion between the engine and the electric motors, ensuring flawless performance at all times.
A carbon-fiber underbody diffuser steers airflow efficiently, allowing the rear wing to function solely as an airbrake. This meticulous design aids in achieving a top speed of 277 mph while keeping aerodynamic drag minimal. According to Mate Rimac, the Tourbillon is about the same weight as the Chiron, or even lighter, thanks to the innovative hybrid powertrain and reduced frontal area.
Production of the Bugatti Tourbillon will be limited to just 250 units, with initial deliveries expected to commence in 2026. However, buying one won’t be as straightforward as pulling out your wallet. The French brand will handpick buyers who have a proven track record of owning Bugatti or Rimac models. This exclusivity adds another layer of allure to an already spectacular vehicle.
Conclusion
In the grand tapestry of hypercars, the Bugatti Tourbillon is a game-changer. It masterfully blends heritage with advanced engineering, luxurious craftsmanship with high performance, and groundbreaking innovation with an analog touch. It’s not just a car; it’s an experience, a collectible, and a glimpse into the future of automotive excellence. Keep your eyes peeled for this one—it’s set to redefine what we thought was possible and raise the bar for future hypercars.