Bugatti’s legacy of crafting the world’s fastest cars spans over a century, from Ettore Bugatti’s Type 35 to the record-shattering Chiron. Now, the French marque unveils the Tourbillon, a hybrid hypercar that combines cutting-edge electric motors with an 8.3-liter V16 combustion engine, delivering a combined 1,800 horsepower and a top speed exceeding 276 mph.
Unlike the W16 engine that propelled the Veyron and Chiron, Bugatti partnered with Rimac to craft a hybrid system. The centerpiece is an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16, an engine, developed by Cosworth, that churns out 1,000 horsepower on its own, with a redline at 9,000 rpm. Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, explains, “The philosophy driving this innovation challenges conventional thinking about electrification in high-performance cars. Rather than electric motors serving as a replacement for the combustion engine, they are enablers, unlocking the full emotional potential of a high-revving V16.”
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Complementing the V16 are three electric motors: two at the front axle and one integrated into the rear eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. These motors add 800 horsepower, powered by a 24.8-kWh, 800-volt T-shaped battery pack nestled within the carbon composite monocoque. The rear motor, capable of spinning to 24,000 rpm, delivers torque-vectoring precision, sharpening the Tourbillon’s handling. The system allows for 37 miles of electric-only range.
Crafting a hybrid hypercar demands more than bolting on motors. The Tourbillon’s chassis, built from next-generation T800 carbon composite, integrates the battery as a structural element, reducing weight and enhancing rigidity. The rear diffuser doubles as a crash structure, while front air ducts channel cooling air through the monocoque. “This clever engineering doesn’t just help to reduce weight, but it helps to reduce the Tourbillon’s footprint, too,” notes a Bugatti press release.
Suspension upgrades include forged aluminum multi-link setups that replace the Chiron’s double-wishbone steel design, offering sharper response. Low-pressure thin-wall aluminum castings and 3D-printed structural braces further shave weight.
The interior features mechanical gauges and minimal screens, ensuring the car feels eternal. “For a car that will be displayed on the concours lawns of this and the next centuries, technology can easily date,” Bugatti notes.
Priced at €3.8 million ($4.6 million), with only 250 units planned, it’s a rare artifact for the ultra-wealthy. For enthusiasts, the wait to see it storm the roads—or the lawns of Pebble Beach—will be agonizing. But one thing’s certain: Bugatti hasn’t just built a hybrid. They’ve redefined what a hypercar can be.
