Bugatti W16 Mistral Sets New World Record as Fastest Open-Top Car

The Bugatti W16 Mistral sets a new world record for open-top cars, reaching 453.91 km/h, showcasing unmatched engineering, luxury, and Bugatti’s legacy of speed.

Bugatti has once again redefined automotive excellence, setting a new top-speed world record for open-top vehicles with the W16 Mistral² World Record Car, which achieved an astounding 453.91 km/h on November 9 at the Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH (ATP) facility in Germany.

This milestone continues Bugatti’s legacy of record-breaking speed and engineering prowess, adding to its storied history alongside icons like the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, and Chiron Super Sport 300+.

The record-breaking run was piloted by Andy Wallace, Bugatti’s official driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner. Wallace praised the car’s stability and thrilling performance, noting the elemental experience of pushing the open-top W16 Mistral to its limits.

The event was meticulously monitored by SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH, ensuring the record was officially recognized.

Engineering Marvels of the W16 Mistral

The W16 Mistral embodies Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of innovation:

Powertrain: The iconic 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine delivers unparalleled performance.
Design: A visible-black carbon fiber body accented with vibrant “Jet Orange” details—a tribute to previous Bugatti World Record Cars—marries aerodynamics with elegance.
Interior: The cabin’s orange-accented features immerse the driver in a bespoke, luxurious, and performance-focused environment.

This one-off vehicle was custom-built for a Bugatti collector, joining an exclusive lineup in The Singh Collection, which also includes the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, and Chiron Super Sport 300+.

A Legacy of Speed

Bugatti’s quest for speed began over a decade ago:

In 2010, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport set a world record of 431.07 km/h.
In 2013, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse became the fastest open-top car at 408.84 km/h.
In 2019, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ shattered expectations with a record of 490.48 km/h.

Now, the W16 Mistral continues this lineage, setting a new benchmark for open-top vehicles while showcasing the perfect blend of cutting-edge engineering and exquisite craftsmanship.

A Celebration of Passion

The record-breaking day was attended by Bugatti’s CEO, Mate Rimac, senior management, and the car’s owner, who also experienced a high-speed passenger ride with Andy Wallace—possibly setting an unofficial record for the fastest passenger ride in history.

Reflecting on this achievement, Mate Rimac stated:
“Since 1909, Bugatti has continually redefined the boundaries of luxury, elegance, and performance. With the W16 Mistral World Record Car, we see not only history repeating itself but being made anew. This triumph embodies Bugatti’s essence: passion, perfection, and the relentless pursuit of the extraordinary.”

Priced at €14 million, the W16 Mistral World Record Car stands as a symbol of Bugatti’s unmatched legacy in speed, design, and innovation.

Subscribe today for the freshest car news delivered to your inbox