We’ve covered Bugatti’s documentary series extensively throughout the year, examining how the tourbillon evolved from design studies to aerodynamics and technical validation. The new context, shared along with a short Instagram clip from Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac, adds dimension to this story.
The clip begins with an excited Mate on a snowy day, pointing the camera at a two-door Wrangler and calling it the ideal vehicle for this weather. But a moment later he turns the camera and we see two unlikely vehicles: Bugatti’s latest hypercar, the Tourbillon, next to a Rimac Nevera.
What’s worth highlighting is that, unlike typical spy shots of heavily camouflaged prototypes being sent through test programs by development drivers, this clip shows the company’s CEO personally validating the final product, which will soon be delivered to customers.
Now it goes without saying that a 4×4 would are obviously more suitable under such conditions. Plus, supercars, let alone hypercars, would never see the light of day in this weather, but Mate wanted to show what these cars are capable of and how they perform in low-traction situations, on winter tires of course. Rimac is later seen driving the production Bugatti Tourbillon on snow, with a clear view of the analog dials inside the tourbillon that gave this car its name.
All 250 cars have already been taken. The tourbillon marks a clear break with the W16 era that characterized the Veyron and Chiron. The Pïech-era quad-turbo beast goes out and in its place comes a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine, paired with three electric motors for an all-wheel drive setup. The combustion engine alone produces more than 1,000 hp, the hybrid system produces a further 800 hp, for a total of 1,800 hp. While the V16 seems to be the way forward, we’re still uncertain about the W16’s future, as Bugatti showed it off at the one-off Brouillard at the Quail earlier this year.
Bugatti has some big shoes to fill in the post-W16 flagship, and the Tourbillon will have to live up to expectations as deliveries begin on this $4.4 million hybrid hypercar.
Images: @materimac
