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Contrary to popular belief, the demise of the combustion engine has been greatly overstated. Unexpectedly, it’s not an environmentalist who is advocating for its future, but rather Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti, who is famously known for creating all-electric hypercars in Croatia. Rimac is not trying to save the combustion engine per se; instead, his mission is to preserve the essence of the Bugatti brand, which he believes should remain luxurious and exclusive, not just a commodity.
This week, under Rimac’s leadership, Bugatti introduced the Tourbillon, a vehicle that redefines expectations for what the successor to the Chiron could be. The Tourbillon boasts an astonishing 1,800 horsepower, generated by a new naturally aspirated V16 engine combined with a hybrid system featuring three motors and a 25-kWh battery. While it may be classified as a hybrid, this hypercar prioritizes power and performance over fuel efficiency.
There had been speculation that the next Bugatti would shift towards electric power. In a docuseries produced by Bugatti, Rimac acknowledges this idea. However, his genuine passion for cars led him to steer the brand in a different direction—for the time being. In the first episode of the series, he notes that transitioning to an electric vehicle would have been simple: “Just take the Rimac Nevera and make a Bugatti out of it.” He also reflects that such a move would feel somewhat disingenuous; after all, why copy one’s own work?
“But Bugatti is not about taking the easy route; it’s about the challenge and doing things the right way,” Rimac emphasizes. “I believed it was essential to have a combustion engine. It should evoke strong emotions, which, for me, means naturally aspirated.”
[insert standing ovation here]
In a manner reminiscent of a student presenting at a science fair, Rimac showcased his concept of a powerful hybrid powertrain using a scale model. His pitch must have resonated well since then-CEO of Volkswagen, Herbert Diess, was supportive of the idea. Despite this endorsement, Rimac encountered significant skepticism from others who doubted his capabilities.
“[Diess] was supportive, but there were plenty of detractors who insisted the next vehicle must be electric or questioned my ability to develop a hybrid,” Rimac recalled. “Some even said I had no experience building a combustion engine car.”
While there is some merit to those concerns, Rimac’s response was both humble and assertive. “My reply was that I haven’t accomplished anything before! Over the past 15 years, we’ve done things we had no right to attempt—especially in a country without an established car industry.”
Rimac’s expertise and determination echo the ideals of Bugatti’s founder, Ettore Bugatti, who famously asserted: “if it’s comparable, it’s no longer Bugatti.” Although an electric vehicle may come in the future—especially if there is demand from wealthy clients—one thing is clear: Bugatti has chosen the right leader to guide its future.
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