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Mastering incredible speeds and unrivaled power in a design of timeless elegance has always been an essential element of Bugatti's DNA. The W16 Mistral, the most extreme roadster in Bugatti history and the last appearance of the iconic W16 drive, is a masterpiece of the perfect symbiosis of design and technology.
Bugatti W16 Mistral
"Mastering thermodynamics and aerodynamics is crucial to achieve speeds in excess of 420 km/h in an open vehicle, even with the 1.600 hp of what is perhaps the most advanced automotive engine ever built," says Emilio Scervo, CTO of Bugatti Rimac . “We have to think very carefully about the shape of the W16 Mistral¹ to direct air through and around the car in a way that balances cooling and aerodynamics. But of course we have to do it all with the sense of elegance worthy of a Bugatti Roadster. A vehicle that is both purposefully designed and conveys a sense of timelessness.”
This marriage of pure artistic vision with mastery of the laws of physics is seamlessly crafted by Bugatti's design and engineering teams. A new, wider, deeper and more three-dimensional version of the famous Bugatti horseshoe-shaped radiator grille in the front end of the W16 Mistral allows the high-temperature engine radiator to be supplied exclusively via one inlet, leaving the two side inlets reserved for the intercoolers.
Airflow around the front corners is controlled by two intakes, one located on the wheel and the other integrated into the new three-dimensional headlight design. Air is channeled from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area in the wheel arch that would otherwise create turbulence and drag, thereby affecting the W16 Mistral's performance. "The front end of the vehicle is dominated by these large inlets," says Achim Anscheidt, chief designer at Bugatti Rimac. “It's unmistakably Bugatti, but we've taken some elements from the limited edition Divo, Centodieci and La Voiture Noire. The windshield curves in a sleek visor look and the front is more vertical to create a design that emphasizes speed and beauty in equal measure.”
the Bugatti C-Line reinterpreted
For the roadster's profile, the team reinterpreted the Bugatti C-Line, which traditionally characterizes the Chiron's profile. The line flows around the side air intakes to the upper edge of the side windows and then runs three-dimensionally over the edge of the windscreen. The development of this new line, which decisively shapes the visual identity of the W16 Mistral - which seems to leap forward - was no easy task.
"To do this, we had to separate the engine air intakes from the oil cooler intakes," explains Achim Anscheidt. "If we hadn't done that, we would have had to enlarge the side inlets disproportionately. So we went back to the Veyron 16.4 Vitesse and the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid and placed the engine air intakes behind the headrests. This solution is elegant, functional and safe. The slim side intakes are perfectly proportioned and only supply air to the oil coolers, while the engine air intakes behind the headrests provide a dramatic sound experience and also protect the occupants in the event of a rollover.”
The air taken in via the side intakes is channeled via the two side radiators and the rear wheels to the X-shaped rear lights of the W16 Mistral – an elegant reinterpretation of the iconic design of the bolide⁶. The air exits in the triangular space between the X lights. The resulting pressure gradient between the side intakes and the outlets at the rear of the W16 Mistral helps regulate the temperature of the engine even at high loads.
Top speed of 420 km / h
"The W16 Mistral will reach a top speed of 420 km/h in top speed mode and at the same time give the driver an ultimate feeling of safety," says Emilio Scervo. “Superior control in all conditions and at all speeds is a core part of Bugatti's DNA. To ensure this, the aerodynamic profile of the W16 Mistral was determined with the utmost care. A synthesis of technical expertise and design talent, the W16 Mistral achieves a fine balance of drag reduction and downforce with its sophisticated front splitter, aerodynamic underbody and high-energy airflow around the aerofoil rear wing.”
The W16 Mistral will drive in top speed mode with minimal rear wing tilt to reduce drag. The rear diffuser was optimized for this, as the downforce generated by a diffuser only has a minor effect on air resistance. The edge of the diffuser has been raised to increase the lean angle and expansion ratio, maintaining the W16 Mistral's confident handling and record-breaking speed – as well as its reputation as the ultimate roadster. "The W16 Mistral is a special moment in the history of Bugatti, a vehicle that you will see at top Concours d'Elegance events for decades or even centuries," says Achim Anscheidt. “We have created a timeless interior for this vehicle. An intricately quilted leather was used for the redesigned door panels, carefully inspected and manufactured to Bugatti's quality standards.
And in a nod to the W16 Mistral's famous ancestors, such as the Type 41 Royale, the gearshift lever, milled from a solid block of aluminium, is finished with wood and an amber insert incorporating Rembrandt Bugatti's famous "sculpture of the dancing elephant." Only 99 Examples of the W16 Mistral will be built. The price is 5 million euros net and delivery is scheduled to begin in early 2024. The entire production of the W16 Mistral is already sold out.
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Bugatti W16 Mistral: ultimate elegance with 1.600 hp!
Photo credit: Bugatti
