Bugatti’s Final W16 Monster: The Mistral
Bugatti has unveiled its final street-legal Bugatti powered by the quad-turbocharged W16 engine, the Mistral. This roadster is different from the Chiron and has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it meets the requirements for full street-legal status in major markets worldwide.
Bugatti re-engineered the monocoque during the development phase of the Mistral, reinforcing the sills and transmission tunnel to meet homologation requirements. Aerodynamic and engine tests were completed in October 2023, with the 1,600-horsepower W16 engine extensively tested on a dyno before road testing began.
Bugatti is currently road-testing the Mistral on various surfaces, elevations, and weather conditions, covering nearly 20,000 miles so far. The testing includes on and off-track driving, verifying the top speed of over 260 mph, with plans to run the final high-speed test on a suitable track.
Production of the Mistral is limited to 99 units excluding development cars, with all units already spoken for despite a base price of around €5 million. Bugatti also has plans to produce 40 units of the track-only Bolide before closing the chapter on the W16 engine series.
With the conclusion of the W16 engine era, Bugatti will shift its focus to the V16-powered Tourbillon model following the production of the Mistral. The Tourbillon is set to enter production after the delivery of the Bolide units, representing the next chapter in Bugatti’s lineup of high-performance vehicles.
The Mistral stands as the final testament to Bugatti’s legacy of powerful W16 engines, representing the pinnacle of engineering and performance in the automotive world. As production comes to a close, the Mistral and its limited run of units will hold a special place in automotive history.