The W16 Mistral is the last road-going Bugatti model that will be powered by the brand’s legendary W16 engine. Bugatti wanted to give the W16 Mistral a fitting send-off and focused on “absolute engineering excellence”; in essence, Bugatti wanted it to be far more than simply a re-development of the Chiron. The W16 Mistral, features Bugatti’s 1,600 PS incarnation of the W16 engine.

The existing monocoque has undergone a meticulous process of re-engineering and reshaping, resulting in a more rounded silhouette. This transformation ensures full compliance with stringent crash regulations, despite the absence of a roof.

A pivotal challenge in the project was achieving the objective of crafting a roadster with a remarkable top speed of 420 km/h (260mph), while seamlessly blending this performance-driven quality with a luxurious, refined, and assured experience within the cabin.

The crux of the challenge lay in optimizing the roadster’s architecture to be both rigid and lightweight. Bugatti’s engineering team strategically utilized ultra-high-performance lightweight composite materials and intricate structures to minimize mass while simultaneously enhancing the chassis’s rigidity.

The revamped exterior design of the roadster necessitated the development of a completely new air intake system tailored specifically for the W16 Mistral. The ram induction air scoops, positioned behind the headrests, were designed and engineered to meet performance rollover safety tests.

The interior features, intricate woven leather adorns newly designed door panels. In a respectful homage to the W16 Mistral’s illustrious predecessors, the gear shifter—precision-machined from a solid block of aluminium—features a nod to Rembrandt Bugatti’s renowned ‘dancing elephant’ sculpture.