Bugatti has just unveiled the latest addition to its stable, the Tourbillon, a descendant of the Chiron, named after the intricate mechanical clocks. But the French marque isn’t stopping there in its battle against the rising tide of two-seat electric cars.
This is Bugatti’s first-ever hybrid supercar, combining a gasoline engine with electric motors. It’s also the brand’s first model to feature butterfly doors and, more importantly, a bold departure from traditional instrumentation, replacing touchscreens and digital displays with a classy mechanical Tourbillon clock.
Powertrain
Let’s delve into the Tourbillon’s engineering before exploring its design, interior amenities, and price tag. Bugatti has ditched the iconic W16, 8.0-liter engine that powered the Veyron and Chiron, in favor of a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine designed by Cosworth, capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm.
The experts at Rimac, who took control of Bugatti in 2021, decided against making the Tourbillon a fully electric vehicle. Instead, they utilized their expertise to create a hybrid setup with three motors, nearly doubling the total horsepower and delivering superior performance. This setup also provides an all-electric range of 37 miles (60 km), allowing wealthy owners to cruise around districts without worrying about fuel consumption.
The V16 engine alone produces a mighty 986 horsepower, almost matching the original Veyron’s W16 output of 987 hp, but without the aid of four turbochargers. However, while that power was considered the pinnacle two decades ago, the Tourbillon takes it a step further with its hybrid system, adding an extra 789 hp to the mix.
And unlike modern Bugattis, which tend to be relatively subdued after a stab of the throttle, this car can truly “sing.” The new V16 engine emits a noise akin to a chainsaw on nitrous as it chews through the rev range, delivering a combined output of 1,775 hp.
While this might not represent a significant leap over the standard Chiron’s 1,479 hp or the Chiron Super Sport’s 1,578 hp, the performance figures suggest Bugatti is continuing its pursuit of speed, much to the delight of enthusiasts and the dismay of Koenigsegg. With this immense power, the Tourbillon is not just a megacar but the king of the hypercar jungle.
According to Bugatti, the Tourbillon needs just 2 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h), four-tenths of a second quicker than the Chiron. But that’s just the beginning. It takes less than 10 seconds to reach 186 mph (300 km/h), or roughly the same time it takes a small SUV to hit 62 mph. That’s a 3-4 second improvement over its predecessor.
And things get even more ludicrous from there. The Tourbillon hits 249 mph (400 km/h) in under 25 seconds. The Chiron needed 32.6 seconds to achieve the same feat, and the record-breaking Rimac Nevera requires 21.3 seconds. The Tourbillon’s default top speed is 236 mph (380 km/h), matching the Chiron, but with the optional second key, things get wild. The Chiron’s top speed increases to 261 mph (420 km/h), but the Tourbillon will reach a mind-boggling 277 mph (445 km/h)
Exterior and Interior Design
The Tourbillon borrows design cues from several previous models, including the Chiron’s reshaped headlights, waistline, and taillights reminiscent of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire. The butterfly doors are the most distinctive feature, setting it apart from its stablemates.
However, the Tourbillon’s true essence lies within its cockpit. This V16, naturally aspirated supercar features a gauge package crafted by Swiss watchmakers. Returning to the impressive specs, those massive speeds are displayed on a gorgeous cluster of gauges that evoke the passion of a watch enthusiast with a soft spot for early ’90s supercars.
The Tourbillon, invented in 1801, is still incorporated into high-end watches today, including a $170,000+ option in the Bentley Bentayga, to enhance precision. While Bugatti doesn’t appear to have a literal tourbillon, the emphasis here is on timeless technology.
While other automakers, including Porsche, are embracing the trend of fully digital dashboards that may look sleek but will seem outdated—if they still work—in 30 years, Bugatti is striving for timelessness.
Hence, the five-dial gauge cluster, with a combined speedometer and tachometer displaying both ICE and electric outputs, is almost entirely analog. The only concession to our digital age is a small digital speed readout at the bottom of the cluster.
But shift into the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and within two seconds, a vertical screen will emerge from the top of the dashboard to show what’s behind you. Alternatively, you can summon it independently, and within five seconds, you’ll have a standard horizontal screen with full access to Apple CarPlay.
The rest of the interior resembles the Chiron, but with some neat touches. One is the dial on the dashboard that you use to activate the Tourbillon, evoking the classics of the 20th century. Similar to BMW’s recent Neue Klasse X SUV concept, it has two spokes fixed at the 6 and 12 o’clock positions.
However, what makes it truly unusual is the fixed hub and the fact that the spokes are attached behind the gauge cluster, ensuring that the ‘Bugatti’ logo remains upright and the driver’s view of the gauges is never obstructed by the spokes.
Fewer Cars, Higher Price
Bugatti produced 500 Chirons, with the last one rolling off the Molsheim assembly line in May, nine years after the model’s debut in 2015. However, the Tourbillon will be even more exclusive, with a limited production run of just 250 units. Testing is already underway, and the first deliveries are expected in 2026.
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