Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Bugatti has unveiled its replacement for the legendary Chiron, the Tourbillon. On display at a star-studded world premiere in Molsheim, France, the all-new hypercar marks a complete departure from the brand's iconic W16 engine. This time it has been electrified, with the help of Mate Rimac, the unstoppable force behind the all-electric Nevera, the fastest accelerating hypercar in the world.
I attended the launch event and talked to Rimac about his approach to the design of the new multi-million-dollar monster. While still unmistakably a Bugatti, the Tourbillon is now electrified. First off, while the Tourbillon is electrified, it isn’t in the way most people predicted (and some feared).
Since Rimac joined forces with Bugatti and Porsche nearly three years ago , there has been an expectation that the new Bugatti would take the drivetrain of the Nevera or a heavily modified version of it, and become all-electric. But that hasn’t happened. Instead, the Tourbillon follows the hybrid route plotted by Ferrari with the SF90 Stradale and McLaren with the Artura – except with a uniquely Bugatti twist.
There is still an all-new 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine, engineered in collaboration with legendary British race engine maker Cosworth, playing a central role. But this has been paired with a powerful electric powertrain consisting of a front e-axle with two electric motors and an additional rear motor.
The combination.