Bugatti’s journey into a bold new era continues to be defined by its fusion of art and engineering, a commitment that has shaped the brand for over a century.
With a legacy built on pushing the outer limits of automotive performance and design, the marque is once again rewriting the rulebook with its latest powertrain innovation – an entirely new, naturally aspirated V16 engine.
This groundbreaking achievement takes center stage in the latest installment of Bugatti’s YouTube docuseries, “A New Era,” where Episode Seven delves into the dramatic milestones behind this technological marvel.
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It all began in 2021, as Bugatti began laying the foundation for its next generation of hyper sports cars. At that pivotal moment, Mate Rimac initiated a partnership with Cosworth, a name synonymous with high-performance engine expertise.
Rather than follow conventional development protocols, which usually start with a rudimentary single-cylinder engine prototype, Bugatti broke with tradition.
Their engineers opted for a more ambitious path—constructing a four-cylinder mule engine right from the outset. This decision allowed them to gain deeper insights into engine acoustics, performance dynamics, and drivability much earlier in the development cycle, laying a robust foundation for the full-scale V16 that would follow.
As Powertrain Chief Engineer Marco Arnoletti explained, the expectations were naturally high—this was a Bugatti, after all. From the number of cylinders to the engine’s displacement, everything had to be executed at an extraordinary level. The sound, feel, and behavior of the engine couldn’t merely be impressive; they had to be spellbinding.
By 2023, after countless hours of prototyping, collaboration, and refinement, the team reached a significant milestone: the completion of the first V16 test engine. This was more than a mechanical achievement—it was a fusion of Bugatti’s audacious vision and Cosworth’s technical prowess.
The result was a power unit that delivered not just raw performance but also a deeply immersive, emotional connection. Engineered with an obsessive attention to detail, every element of the engine, including the plenum—a vital component of any naturally aspirated engine—was designed not only to function flawlessly but also to look like a sculptural masterpiece.
Bugatti Rimac’s Chief Technical Officer, Emilio Scervo, reflected on the moment with reverence. Measuring nearly a meter in length, the V16 stands as one of the largest and most distinctive engines ever built. Its size alone is a testament to Bugatti’s commitment to exceeding expectations. But beyond its dimensions lies an engine tuned to stir the soul, an embodiment of the brand’s refusal to compromise.
What truly sets this engine apart, though, is how it integrates into a hybrid system that adds a new dimension to performance. The culmination of these efforts is the Tourbillon—a hypercar that marries the immense mechanical force of an 8.3-liter V16 with the instant responsiveness of three electric motors.
This hybrid configuration yields a combined output of 1,800 horsepower, with the V16 alone delivering 1,000 HP at a head-spinning 9,000 rpm and 900 Nm of torque.
The electric drive contributes an additional 800 HP, transforming the Tourbillon into a force of nature capable of launching from zero to 100 km/h in just two seconds and reaching a top speed of 445 km/h.
This isn’t just about numbers. The Tourbillon, and the V16 at its core, redefine what’s possible in contemporary automotive engineering. Bugatti has produced a powertrain unlike anything else on the market, one that blends sheer power with visceral emotion, delivering a driving experience that resonates with both purists and futurists.
More than a car, the Tourbillon is a symbol of Bugatti’s fearless innovation, its pursuit of the exceptional, and its readiness to shape the next era of performance luxury.
For Bugatti, the V16 is not merely a mechanical triumph—it’s a philosophical statement. It signals a refusal to follow trends, an insistence on doing things the Bugatti way, with beauty, passion, and a relentless drive to astonish. As Scervo puts it, this engine is more than a technical feat; it’s the most audacious representation yet of the brand’s mission to create machines that aren’t just fast, but unforgettable.
Catch the full story of the V16’s development in “A New Era: A 16-cylinder Heart,” now streaming on Bugatti’s official YouTube channel.
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