The Veyron redefined the supercar and launched the hypercars genre which thrives today. Bugatti pushed the limits of automotive engineering, but the formula was tweaked over time. The Chiron was a further push of that philosophy, but now with the Tourbillion it is taking a bold move to change the hypercar scene much like the Veyron. This is not a reworked Chiron but an automotive Fabergé egg with a rocket engine strapped onto the back of it. Bugatti could’ve reworked Chiron, but chose to start from scratch. The Tourbillon has a brand new engine, which is a V16 that is incredibly powerful and beguiling.
The W16 turbocharged engine was used in the previous Bugattis. It had a personality built around it. The W16 is a turbocharged engine that was built into the previous Bugatti cars. TourbillonThe electric assistance is provided by three motors, including the e-Axle, which has two motors mounted on the rear axle and another motor at the front. Tourbillon’s combined power is 1,800 horsepower, 1,000 of which comes from its combustion engine and 800 from its electric motors.
The new Bugatti is therefore an electric vehicle on one hand and has more power than many supercars just from its electric motors, but when combined its epic engine it becomes a rocketship. It can reach 276 mph with a special key, but its Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires also have the power to handle this. The car also features a new chassis and a lightweight front axle with dual independent engines, including the dual inverter. This fits into the same package as the Chiron. Bugatti has managed to keep weight down on the Tourbillon despite the hybrid powertrain.
Tourbillion has a name that is inspired by a traditional watchmaking tradition, which focuses on the craftsmanship. Bugatti’s billionaire customers prefer an analog design to the digital one. The instrument cluster is the centrepiece, which was designed and constructed with Swiss watchmakers’ expertise.
The titanium and gemstones, such as ruby and sapphire, are used to construct the more than 600 pieces. Even the skeletonized group weighs only 700g. It is fixed to the steering wheel rim, unlike other cars. Tourbillons allow drivers to see the instrumentation clearly regardless of the steering angle, as the spokes extend around the back of instrument cluster.
The screen has been hidden so as not to disturb the ambiance of the interior. Even the central switchgear adheres to the Tourbillion philosophy of being exposed and revealing the intricate workings. Bugatti has managed to maintain the pure driving experience by using fixed seats with adjustable pedals. The audio system, too, is different from standard cars. It has an exotic lighter one that uses exciters in the door panels.
The Tourbillion, then, is more than a hypercar that worships only speed. It also includes luxury and craftsmanship to match its name. Only 250 Chirons will be made for clients, but despite the $3.9m price tag most of them are already spoken for. In terms of hypercars, the Bugatti Tourbillion truly is something special.