The all-new Bugatti Tourbillon is a plug-in hybrid
No, what you see here is not another special edition of the Chiron but infact an all-new car from Bugatti that also happens to be their first attempt at futureproofing their 16 cylinders. The new Bugatti Tourbillon follows in the steps of its iconic predecessors, the Veyron and Chiron, but it replaces the quad-turbo arrangement with natural aspiration and acquires a hybrid system with three electric motors.
Unlike the other two cars though, the Tourbillon isn't named after legendary Bugatti drivers but instead after a high-end watch mechanism that ensures more consistent time-keeping.
The Chiron and Veyron's famous quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W-16 engines have been replaced with a new naturally aspirated 8.3-litre V-16 engine. Despite weighing just 252 kg, it produces 1,000PS and 900Nm of torque, with a redline of 9,000 rpm. This powers the rear wheels via a new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox and an electronic limited-slip differential.
As for the electrification bit, there are 3 electric motors. Two up front and one for the rear wheels. These motors are connected to a 25kWh battery and an 800-volt architecture, these motors alone generate 800PS. They can cover more than 60 kilometres on EV power alone. Alternatively, they can be paired with the engine to produce 1,800PS.
Bugatti claims that the all-wheel-drive Tourbillon can accelerate to 100 kmph in 2.0 seconds, exceed 200 kmph in under 5 seconds, and reach 300 kmph in less than 10 seconds. The maximum speed with the 'speed key' inserted in allows the Tourbillon to exceed 444 kmph.
This incredible powerplant is supported by a totally new chassis that incorporates the most recent developments in material technology. The new composite structure is created in a far different way than the underpinnings of the Veyron and Chiron, with the rear crash structure made of carbon fibre and features like the air intake now integrated into the overall structure of the car. The front and rear suspensions are still mounted on aluminium subframes, but they are now composed of new thin-wall 3D castings with 3D-printed complicated structural bracing.
To limit the Tourbillon's top speeds, it has carbon ceramic brakes and a brake-by-wire system coupled to the motor via an integrated vehicle non-linear controller. The enormous discs are hidden behind magnificent alloy wheels (20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the back), covered in unique Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tyres measuring 285/35 R20 at the front and 345/30 R21 at the rear.
While Bugatti maintains the Tourbillon shares no components with the Chiron, its design is evolutionary. The Bugatti horseshoe grille has been expanded and moved forward, with wider flanking intakes. Bugatti's designers drew on its legacy, designing a unique spine inspired by the one featured on the 1936 Bugatti Type 57S Atlantic. On the side, a familiar Bugatti C-shape defines the car's appearance, but instead of the Chiron's dropping window line, a new upward flick creates a more compact and aggressive glasshouse.
Bugatti chose the moniker because its new Tourbillon foregoes digital displays in favour of an analogue instrument cluster developed and constructed using the expertise of Swiss watchmakers. Three big displays mounted on the steering wheel show everything from speed to engine rpm, gasoline amount, engine temperature, and more. The gauges were designed and manufactured by Switch watchmakers, and they are permanently attached to the steering column, remaining motionless when you spin the wheel.
The Tourbillon is also the first Bugatti to include an infotainment screen, but in order to keep the dash clean, it is mounted on an intricate folding mechanism that can also adjust the screen's orientation to portrait or landscape, depending on the use case.