The New Bugatti Tourbillon: A Timeless Masterpiece of Engineering and Design

Bugatti has unveiled the highly anticipated Tourbillon, a hypersports car that embodies the brand’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive excellence. Inspired by the legacy of Ettore Bugatti and his core principles of “if comparable it is no longer Bugatti” and “nothing is too beautiful,” the Tourbillon is designed to be incomparable, elegant, emotive, and luxurious – a true icon for eternity.

Drawing Inspiration from Legends

The Tourbillon departs from the tradition of naming core models after legendary Bugatti racing drivers. Instead, it embraces its character through the name itself. Referencing a watchmaking invention, the “tourbillon” signifies intricate beauty and enduring functionality. Just like these exquisite timepieces, the Tourbillon is meticulously crafted to withstand the test of time.

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A Timeless Design Language

The Tourbillon’s design philosophy prioritizes timeless aesthetics. Eschewing the rapid obsolescence of digital screens, the car features an elegant, fully analogue instrument cluster crafted by Swiss watchmakers, reminiscent of heirloom-quality timepieces. This focus on timeless design extends to every aspect of the car, ensuring it remains a head-turning masterpiece for generations to come.

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Shaped by Speed and Aerodynamics

Every line, surface, and intake of the Tourbillon is meticulously sculpted for optimal aerodynamic performance, exceeding 400 km/h. The design draws inspiration from four historical Bugatti design elements: the horseshoe grille, the Bugatti Line, the central ridge, and the dual-colour split.

Frank Heyl, Bugatti’s Director of Design, elaborates on the design influences: “The creations of Ettore and Jean Bugatti are ingenious in their aerodynamics, innovation, and enduring beauty… We find inspiration in the Type 57SC Atlantic, where the S stands for Surbaissé, meaning lowered… That’s something that was very important for us, carefully curating the placement of volumes that are both functional but also supporting the extreme proportions of the car.”

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Beauty Meets Functionality

Despite its stunning design, every element of the Tourbillon serves a functional purpose. The intricate interplay of airflow ensures optimal cooling for the V16 engine, electric motors, and battery, even at peak performance. The car boasts numerous patented technologies honed over two decades of experience with the Veyron and Chiron. For instance, the rear wing remains submerged during top-speed runs, maintaining perfect aerodynamic balance. The Tourbillon features a set of advanced, electrically actuated dihedral doors that not only provide easy entry but also create a dramatic sense of arrival. These doors can be opened and closed from the key fob, a button near the Bugatti Line, or the centre console.

The Tourbillon’s interior design philosophy centers around timelessness. Inspired by the world of horology, the car features an authentic analogue experience. The centrepiece is a skeletonized instrument cluster, designed and built with the expertise of Swiss watchmakers, constructed from lightweight titanium and featuring gemstones like sapphire and ruby. This intricate masterpiece remains fixed in place as the steering wheel rotates around it, offering the driver an unobstructed view of instrumentation regardless of steering angle.

The centre console showcases a blend of crystal glass and aluminium, revealing the intricate workings of the switches and the engine start lever. The aluminium parts are milled from a single block of metal, while the knurled aluminium switches sit atop a complex mechanism – a testament to Bugatti’s in-house engineering expertise. Even the act of starting the engine is designed to be a physical experience, a nod to the rituals of historic automobiles.

However, hidden from view is a high-definition digital screen that seamlessly integrates mobile connectivity and displays vehicle data. This screen deploys from the top of the centre console in either portrait or landscape mode.

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Uncompromising Performance and Comfort

Every interior decision prioritizes ultimate performance without compromising practicality or comfort. The seats are fixed to the floor for optimal weight distribution and driver position, while the pedal box can be electrically adjusted for personalized comfort. The audio system utilizes an advanced system with exciters on door panels, eliminating the need for traditional speakers and woofers for a lighter and more efficient sound experience.

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Unmatched Powertrain

Following the footsteps of the legendary W16 engine, the Tourbillon boasts an all-new 8.3-litre naturally-aspirated V16 masterpiece, co-engineered with Cosworth, paired with a front e-Axle featuring two electric motors and a third motor on the rear axle. This hybrid powertrain delivers a staggering 1,800 horsepower, with 1,000 horsepower from the combustion engine alone. This extraordinary achievement surpasses the Veyron’s 1,001 horsepower, remarkably achieved with a completely naturally aspirated engine. The electric motors are powered by a 25 kWh battery-housed in the central tunnel and behind the passengers.

The combination of the advanced hybrid powertrain, lightweight engineering, efficient packaging, and cutting-edge aerodynamics significantly reduces emissions compared to its predecessor. However, this eco-conscious approach doesn’t compromise the driving experience; instead, it elevates it to new heights, solidifying the Tourbillon’s position at the pinnacle of the automotive industry.

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