Bugatti has officially introduced its newest creation, the Bugatti Tourbillon, a revolutionary hybrid supercar with a jaw-dropping price tag of $4 million. This exceptional model is designed to replace the $3.3 million, 1,500 horsepower Bugatti Chiron, setting new benchmarks in performance and luxury.
While the automotive industry is rapidly moving towards electric vehicles, Bugatti has taken a different approach with the Tourbillon. Despite its merger with Rimac, a company renowned for its electric supercars, Bugatti Rimac’s CEO Mate Rimac decided against an all-electric Bugatti. Instead, the focus was on developing an immensely powerful plug-in hybrid that maintains the essence of Bugatti’s legendary combustion engines.
The Tourbillon boasts a colossal 16-cylinder gasoline engine, crafted in collaboration with British race car engineering firm Cosworth. This engine is supported by three potent electric motors—one at the rear and two at the front—together generating a minimum of 800 horsepower. In total, the Bugatti Tourbillon achieves an extraordinary 1,800 horsepower output.
Unlike the Chiron, which featured four turbochargers to boost its power, the Tourbillon’s engine is naturally aspirated, meaning it operates without turbochargers. Mate Rimac emphasized their goal to create the most thrilling and emotionally charged combustion engine possible, characterized by high revving and natural aspiration.
“We wanted to make the most exciting, most emotional combustion engine possible,” Rimac said, “and that is high revving, naturally aspirated.”
The interior of the Tourbillon reflects a deep appreciation for traditional mechanical engineering. The car’s name is inspired by a sophisticated gear system used in mechanical watches to enhance precision. This theme is evident in the instrument display, which mimics the design of watch dials. The central speedometer features dual needles—one showing the car’s speed and the other indicating the engine’s revolutions per minute.
“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 explained.
Incorporating modern technology, the Tourbillon includes a hidden display screen with Apple CarPlay compatibility, which emerges only when requested. Bugatti’s design philosophy minimizes the use of screens, considering them prone to becoming outdated quickly.
“We think, really, how will this product look in 50 years, 100 years,” said Rimac. “And it’s clear that, if you have a screen, it won’t look that great.”
The Tourbillon’s hybrid system allows for up to 37 miles of electric-only driving before the gasoline engine is required. However, drivers can choose to keep the gasoline engine running continuously if they prefer.
Production of the Tourbillon will be a meticulous process, with each car handcrafted at Bugatti’s boutique factory in Molsheim, France. Only 250 units will be produced, ensuring the car’s exclusivity and maintaining Bugatti’s tradition of bespoke luxury. With a starting price of approximately $4 million, the Bugatti Tourbillon represents the pinnacle of performance and craftsmanship, combining cutting-edge hybrid technology with timeless design.
