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Bugatti Unveils the Tourbillon: A Powerful Hybrid Successor to the Chiron
In a recent unveiling at Bugatti’s historic headquarters in Molsheim, France, the company’s CEO, Mate Rimac, smiled as he addressed concerns about the future of the iconic brand. "When I came in, many were worried that the next Bugatti would turn electric or overly digitalized. It’s actually the contrary," he explained.
The new Bugatti Tourbillon sets aside the Chiron’s legacy by introducing a formidable 1,800-horsepower plug-in hybrid engine that features an 8.3-liter V16. Despite its strong lineage, the Tourbillon could have had a different identity altogether, as Bugatti wrestled with several options for its future vehicle.
“We contemplated the possibility of creating a luxury vehicle. All options were open for discussion,” Rimac stated. Although Bugatti is now celebrated for its high-speed cars that break records with horsepower figures exceeding 1,000, the brand has a rich history. One of its notable models was the Type 41, a lavish 12.8-liter straight-eight-powered limousine from 1926 that dwarfed even the famous Rolls-Royce.
Ultimately, the decision was made to continue Bugatti’s legacy of hypercars, recognized for pushing boundaries in speed and performance. “Bugatti is about pushing boundaries, so having a hypercar was essential,” Rimac reasoned.
A critical decision that followed was the selection of the powertrain. Rimac and his team weighed various options, including fully electric and hybrid configurations. Given Rimac’s expertise in electric motors and batteries, there was speculation that the successor to the Chiron would be electric. This discussion gained traction as Volkswagen Group, which revived Bugatti two decades ago, also favored an electric model.
"We had two straightforward choices: the Nevera, which boasts a 2,000-horsepower electric drivetrain capable of hitting 400 kilometers per hour, and the Chiron with its combustion engine. It would have been easy to create a Bugatti version of the Nevera," he reflected.
Despite the ease and cost-effectiveness of modifying the existing EV platform, Rimac and his team chose to pursue a different path. “We believe that designing a Bugatti involves more than just taking the simplest route; it’s about making the right choices,” Rimac emphasized, noting that integrating a combustion engine was vital to evoke the emotional experience associated with Bugatti.
With the vision taking shape, the hypercar evolved into a successor to the Chiron featuring a rear-mid-mounted gasoline engine capable of astounding horsepower.
Rimac was adamant about utilizing a naturally aspirated engine, feeling it was more "emotional" than its turbocharged counterparts, while the hybrid system would compensate for any shortcomings in low-end torque. The team faced a pivotal decision: they could either craft an entirely new engine or extend the life of the existing W16, which was first introduced in the Veyron in 2005.
Emilio Scervo, Bugatti’s chief technical officer, posed the question of why not use a V12 instead, suggesting that achieving the same power could be simpler. However, they opted against downsizing. “Mate insisted on keeping the 16-cylinder layout; if it’s comparable, it’s not truly a Bugatti,” Scervo explained, emphasizing the goal of creating something unique with the 16-cylinder engine.
As discussions evolved, Scervo challenged the idea that a longer engine necessitated a longer vehicle, suggesting a reworking of the car’s architecture instead. The V16 was favored not only for its exclusivity but also because it is lighter than the W16, contributing to a lower center of gravity—an essential characteristic for performance.
The engineering team faced additional challenges, such as accommodating the hybrid system’s 25-kilowatt-hour battery while maintaining optimal vehicle design. They cleverly integrated features like adjustable pedals while keeping the seats fixed to maximize space. The engine’s tilt—11 degrees toward the cabin—also aided in fitting in a large air diffuser.
“For weeks, an engineer would approach me stating they needed additional space in the wheelbase, and I would resolutely deny the request,” Scervo proudly recounted, showcasing the team’s commitment to the design blueprint.
The result? The 8.3-liter V16 engine is approximately 9.4 inches longer than the previous W16, yet the Tourbillon’s wheelbase is about an inch longer than that of the Chiron. Additionally, the new model is lighter and more spacious than its predecessor, affirming Rimac’s assertion of its uniqueness in the market.
Bugatti continues to redefine the hypercar landscape, proving that the legacy of innovation and performance remains at the forefront of the brand’s future.
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