Naturally-Aspirated Hybrid Warfare: Bugatti Tourbillon Vs. Lamborghini Revuelto - story Go to full screen story Fullscreen

Naturally-Aspirated Hybrid Warfare: Bugatti Tourbillon Vs. Lamborghini Revuelto

While both represent a new era of electrified hypercars, find how the V12 Lambo differs from the all-new V16 Bugatti in a few key areas

by Amreetam Basu on July 2, 2024, 06:00

Electrification isn’t the end of internal combustion, but in a way is its evolution. In the hypercar segment, hybrid technology is breathing new life into high-performance combustion engines, marrying raw power with performance and efficiency. A trend that really began with the Holy Trinity (La Ferrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, and McLaren P1) has evolved significantly over the past decade with automakers finding better ways to integrate green tech with traditional ICE.

Leading the charge is the recently unveiled Bugatti Tourbillon. Where everyone expected the Chiron successor to take the all-electric route since Bugatti is now part of the newly formed Bugatti-Rimac, the French automaker surprised us with a plug-in hybrid instead. However, this is no ordinary hybrid and is at the other end of the spectrum. Under its carbon bodywork lies an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 developed by Cosworth. This beast of an engine is coupled with three e-motors, producing a combined output of 1,775 horsepower. For the first time since the EB 110 from the early ’90s, Bugatti has employed a naturally aspirated engine and, luckily, is the only V16 engine-powered vehicle in the world, ditching the old quad-turbo W16 found in the Veyron and Chiron.

While the Tourbillon is the most potent hypercar under the VW belt (Porsche still under the VW Umbrella owns 45% of Bugatti-Rimac), it isn’t playing a monopoly. Lamborghini’s latest flagship V12 hypercar, the Revuelto, is, in fact, a plug-in hybrid, just like the Tourbillon. It features a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 mated to three e-motors, and the combined output is 1,001 horsepower. The V12 Lambo of course traces its roots all the way to the Miura from the ’60s. While the numbers may not sound like much on paper, when compared to the Tourbillon, the Revuelto is about five times less expensive than the French king of speed. While exterior design is subjective, you simply can’t ignore the way a flagship V12 Lambo looks.

While both the Revuelto and the Tourbillon share a similar hybrid powertrain layout, their similarities end there. These two automotive titans offer distinct experiences, each with unique character and performance capabilities. Join us as we delve into the heart of these hybrid powerhouses and uncover the differences that set them apart.

Performance: 2026 Bugatti Tourbillon Vs. 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

Naturally-Aspirated Hybrid Warfare: Bugatti Tourbillon Vs. Lamborghini Revuelto storyboard - image 183629

As the successor to the Bugatti Chiron, the Tourbillon takes the powertrain complexity to another level. Behind the seats lies a Cosworth-developed 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine that revs up to 9,500 rpm. But that’s not all! The Tourbillion gets extra help from three electric motors - two up front and one in the back. Together, the powertrain pushes out an impressive 1,775 horsepower and 1,691 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough power to send you rocketing from naught to 60 mph in two seconds and reach a top speed of 276 mph (though Bugatti’s put a little electronic leash on it, just in case).

Did I mention that the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sits behind the V16? That’s true, and in its original place, between the seats, sits a 25 kWh battery pack. For a hypercar, such a healthy battery size is unheard of and the all-electric range too is usable at 37 miles.

The Lamborghini Revuelto features a similar e-motor setup (two in the front axle and another placed between the engine and the gearbox). However, unlike the Tourbillon, the Revuelto features a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 (1.8 fewer liters and four fewer cylinders). As a result, the Revuelto cranks out much less power than the Tourbillon: just 1,001 horsepower and 739 pound-feet of torque. However, considering the price, the Revuelto looks like a great deal, with a 0-60 mph timing of 2.3 seconds and a top speed of 218 mph.

Similar to the Tourbillon, the Revuelto’s eight-speed DCT is positioned transversely behind the V12. However, a very compact 3.8 kWh battery pack runs between the seats and offers up to 8.0 miles of pure electric driving.

2026 Bugatti Tourbillon 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
Engine 8.3-liter nat-asp V16 w/ 3 e-motors 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 w/ 3 e-motors
Horsepower 1,775 hp 1,001 hp
Torque (lb-ft) 1,691 lb-ft 739 lb-ft
Gearbox 8-speed DCT 8-speed DCT
Drive Type AWD AWD
0-60 (mph) 2.0 seconds 2.3 seconds 
Top speed (mph) 276 mph 218 mph
Curb weight (pounds) TBA 4,450 lbs. (estimated)
Battery size 25 kWh 3.8 kWh
Electric-only range 37 miles (estimated) 8 miles (estimated)

Key differences: 2026 Bugatti Tourbillon vs. 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto

Naturally-Aspirated Hybrid Warfare: Bugatti Tourbillon Vs. Lamborghini Revuelto storyboard - image 183627

One of the main differences between the Tourbillon and the Revuelto is their respective categories in which they lie. The Tourbillon is limited to 250 examples, whereas the Revuelto doesn’t yet have a fixed production number, just as yet. From an exclusivity point of view, the Tourbillon has an edge. It also holds the Bugatti badge and features a very expensive and intricate interior, thanks to the mechanical-watch-inspired analog instrument console. But then, its price tag is over four million dollars!

For a fraction of that price, getting the Revuelto makes more sense. Why? It looks sharper than the Bugatti, and it features all the bells and whistles, like the naked engine bay area where the V12 sits, a gorgeous interior made of leather and suede, and three displays: a 12.3-inch unit for the driver, an 8.4-inch unit for infotainment, and a sleek 9.1-inch unit for the passenger. The Bugatti only features one small retractable central display, which CEO Mate Rimac said was purely for convenience.

A few million dollars or not, both hypercars feature active aerodynamics, carbon fiber monocoque chassis, and carbon ceramic brakes for that extra braking bite! Beyond the powertrain itself, it really comes down to three things that really set these electrified hypercars apart. Price, exclusivity, and the all-electric range and performance from the new hybrid tech.

2026 Bugatti Tourbillon 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
Exterior Features LED lights, 20-inch front, and 21-inch rear wheels, iconic Horseshoe grille, dihedral (butterfly) doors, exposed engine bay LED lights, scissor doors, hexagonal-shaped exhaust tips, 20-inch front, and 21-inch rear wheels, exposed engine bay
Interior Features Fully analog instrument console with mechanical watch-inspired cluster, two-spoke steering wheel, crystal glass and aluminum center console, deployable touchscreen, full leather upholstery with power-adjustable seats 12.3-inch driver information display, 8.4-inch vertical infotainment display, optional 9.1-inch passenger-side display, standard leather seats with Corsa Tex, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable seats, carbon fiber interior trim 
Aerodynamic Features Power-adjustable rear wing, carbon fiber diffuser, air ducts under the fenders, vents near the windscreen Power-adjustable rear wing, carbon fiber diffuser, carbon fiber splitter, 
Chassis Features T800 carbon composite chassis, aluminum multi-link suspension, carbon ceramic brakes with brake-by-wire technology,  Carbon fiber chassis, carbon ceramic brakes, semi-active wishbone suspension
Cargo Capacity  TBA 5.3 cu.ft. 
Price  $4,000,000+  $608,358+
Amreetam Basu

Amreetam Basu

While Amreetam hustles during the week, free time means one thing: hitting the open road. He dreams of cruising the Alps in a German masterpiece – a Porsche 992 911 GT3 RS or an F87 BMW M2 would be ideal! This 26-year-old automotive journalist loves every part of the job. Read full bio