The Bugatti Mistral marks the closing chapter of one of the most extraordinary engines in automotive history. As the final roadgoing Bugatti model powered by the brand’s W16 engine, this exclusive roadster brings together exceptional performance, meticulous craftsmanship and the appeal of open-air driving.
Officially named the Bugatti W16 Mistral, it was unveiled in August 2022. Its purpose extends beyond delivering remarkable speed: it celebrates the engine that defined the Veyron and Chiron eras while giving it a distinctive final expression.
With an announced production run of just 99 examples, the Mistral occupies a special place in Bugatti’s history.
A Name Inspired by the Wind
The Mistral takes its name from the powerful wind that blows through southern France toward the Mediterranean. It is a fitting name for a car designed around speed and exposure to the elements.
Rather than simply adapting a closed-roof model, Bugatti reshaped and reengineered the Chiron-derived structure for an open-top configuration. The result is a roadster with its own proportions, aerodynamic requirements and visual identity.
The open cockpit also changes how occupants experience the car. Engine sound, airflow and the surrounding landscape become more immediate parts of every journey.
The W16 Engine: An Extraordinary Farewell
At the heart of the Bugatti Mistral sits an 8.0-liter W16 engine with four turbochargers, producing 1,600 PS. This is the same power output used in the Chiron Super Sport 300+.
The W16 helped establish modern Bugatti’s reputation for combining immense power with refined road-car engineering. In the Mistral, that mechanical heritage becomes the centerpiece of an open-air experience.
Prominent air intakes behind the seats supply the engine while bringing its intake sound closer to the occupants. Their position also gives the roadster one of its most recognizable design features.
Bugatti Mistral Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Bugatti W16 Mistral |
| Body style | Open-top roadster |
| Engine | 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 |
| Power output | 1,600 PS |
| Announced model top speed | 420 km/h |
| World Record Car speed | 453.91 km/h |
| Announced production run | 99 examples |
| Launch price | €5 million before taxes |
| Unveiling | August 2022 |
The 453.91 km/h achievement applies to the special W16 Mistral World Record Car, rather than the standard model’s advertised top speed.
Design Rooted in Bugatti History
The Mistral draws inspiration from the 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, particularly its flowing proportions, windscreen treatment and distinctive headrests.
The launch car’s black-and-yellow finish reinforces that historical connection. These colors are closely associated with Bugatti’s heritage and help emphasize the contrast between the roadster’s sculpted surfaces and technical details.
At the front, the curved windscreen creates a wraparound appearance. The body then flows toward the raised air intakes behind the occupants, giving the car a strong profile.
At the rear, X-shaped taillights provide a distinctive signature. The surrounding bodywork integrates cooling and aerodynamic functions, reflecting the challenge of managing heat and airflow in a car with such substantial performance.
A Cabin Defined by Craftsmanship
The Bugatti Mistral’s interior combines the recognizable craftsmanship of the Chiron era with details tailored to the roadster.
Leather, aluminum and titanium contribute to a cabin that feels carefully constructed. Clearly arranged controls and instruments keep essential information accessible to the driver.
One of its most distinctive touches is the gear selector, which incorporates a reference to Rembrandt Bugatti’s dancing elephant sculpture. This detail connects the car to the artistic heritage of the Bugatti family.
The cabin’s appeal comes from this combination of mechanical purpose and decorative craftsmanship. It provides a fitting setting for the final roadgoing application of the W16.
A Record-Breaking Open-Top Run
On November 9, 2024, the Bugatti W16 Mistral World Record Car reached 453.91 km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg facility in Germany.
Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace drove the car, with the achievement verified under the supervision of SGS-TÜV Saar. Bugatti announced the result as a top-speed world record for an open-top car.
The achievement added another milestone to the brand’s history of high-speed engineering. Maintaining stability and controlling airflow at such speeds presents a considerable challenge, especially with an open cockpit.
For anyone comparing the Mistral’s specifications, the distinction matters: 420 km/h is the announced model top speed, while 453.91 km/h is the speed achieved by the World Record Car.
Exclusivity and Launch Price
Bugatti announced a production run of 99 examples, with a launch price of €5 million before taxes. All planned examples had already been allocated when the model was unveiled.
Its exclusivity comes from more than limited availability. The Mistral combines a distinctive roadster body with the final roadgoing use of an engine that shaped two decades of Bugatti history.
That significance gives it particular appeal to collectors interested in major turning points in automotive design and engineering.
Why the Bugatti Mistral Matters
The Bugatti Mistral brings the W16 era to a close with a car built around an unusually immersive driving experience. Its open cockpit, historical design references and extraordinary engine give it a character of its own.
Its importance extends beyond power figures or production numbers. The Mistral preserves a defining part of modern Bugatti’s identity in a form that makes the engine’s sound and performance central to the experience.
For enthusiasts, it stands as a memorable farewell to the W16: a roadster that connects Bugatti’s past with the end of a remarkable engineering chapter.