When it comes to speed, Bugatti has been around the block many, many times. The automotive company also knows a thing or two about records, as the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport has been holding the world’s fastest production car title for quite some time. Now, thanks to this hybrid powertrain combining an internal combustion engine with electric motors, Bugatti is charting its own path forward.
Bugatti’s new engine that will have hearts racing
When you hear ‘Bugatti, ‘ thoughts immediately trail off to timeless elegance and speed. The world has been focusing on small-displacement plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles (EVs) to try and get ahead in the race for zero carbon by 2050. But not Bugatti. The France-based creator of high-performance vehicles has opted for a new hybrid engine instead. Who needs mainstream anyway?
Bugatti leaked a teaser video online that had fans’ hearts racing. The new hypercar and successor to the Chiron will be sporting a carbon-fiber-bathed V16 engine and will still have all 16 cylinders. The new hypercar and engine will be unveiled in June, and as Bugatti mentioned:
It is not just designed for the present but “pour l’éternité.“
Going its own way while hydrogen fades
Many rumors have been circling the world, but at least one has been confirmed. This new V16 powertrain is set to make a bold statement as many automakers have been turning away from hydrogen and, like Bugatti, embracing internal combustion engines instead. Hydrogen has been used numerous times as an alternative fuel to power vehicles, but its momentum in the hypercar segment appears to be waning.
“With each generation of its hyper sports car, Bugatti has shifted the benchmark of design, engineering, performance and craftsmanship to new heights. And this year, eight years to the day since the Chiron was revealed, Bugatti shows the world the first page of the newest chapter in its rich history.” – Official statement by Bugatti
Now, coming this June, the new powertrain has been confirmed to be a hybrid. Other rumors report that revolutions of 9,000 rpm can be expected and that the combination with three electric motors will result in a significant output of 1,800 horsepower. Thankfully, we are in the midst of the debut month, so hopefully all our questions will be answered soon.
Power and speed do not come cheap
Many have also speculated that the latest French hypercar will be a completely new model instead of an adaptation of the Chiron and Veyron. What makes this model special is that it will be the last to be designed under outgoing Bugatti Director of Design Achim Anscheidt. The design team will be taken over by his successor, Frank Heyl, who will have big shoes to fill for future Bugatti models after the Chiron successor.
We have suspected a hybrid model for the Chiron successor for a while, since Bugatti partnered with Rimac, a Croatian automaker, back in 2021. Anscheidt confirmed all suspicions in 2024 during an interview with Autocar. We just hope you realize that power and speed do not come cheap. Just look at the Mistral Roadsters with their W16 engines that were in the market for $5 million. Yet, somehow, somewhere, all 99 of them have been sold since 2022.
You will still have time to save up (or sell a kidney or something), as Bugatti confirmed that the new hypercar’s production and deliveries will only start in 2026. If you feel nostalgic, you can always opt for the Bolide, a track-only car that will be one of the last models to be powered by the W16. If not, then patience is key for a 16-cylinder car that will be “incomparable in every detail.”
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