Was The Bugatti Tourbillon Supposed To Be An EV?

Find out why CEO, Mate Rimac refused to equip the Chiron successor with the all-electric-powertrain from the Nevera EV hypercar

by Amreetam Basu on June 28, 2024, 20:00

After long-standing speculations and teasers, the Chiron replacement is finally here! The Bugatti Tourbillon ditches the EV trend and sticks to its internal combustion heritage with a twist. Yes, it’s a plug-in hybrid and the first Bugatti under Mate Rimac’s leadership. Beneath its elegant silhouette lies a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, holding a Cosworth-developed 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 coupled with three electric motors. Combined, the hybrid powertrain cranks out 1,775 horsepower. With a 0-60 mph time of two seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 276 mph, the Tourbillon is not only more potent than the outgoing Chiron but also faster.

With Mate Rimac now at the helm, we all expected the Chiron successor to embrace full electrification, as Rimac already has a quad-motor hypercar in its stable, the Nevera. So, when Bugatti teased the V16 and how it sounded, it was all thrilling, with the engine hitting 9,000 revs. However, Mate Rimac stated that Bugatti is not ready for an all-electric hypercar just yet. It is after all a brand that is acclaimed for housing bizarre engine configurations in its cars, such as the quad-turbo W16. Having said that, in the future, fully electrifying a Bugatti hypercar could happen. But, for now, lovers of combustion engines, you’re blessed.

Bugatti’s legacy with internal combustion

Was The Bugatti Tourbillon Supposed To Be An EV? storyboard - image 182138

Now, you might be scratching your head, thinking, "Isn’t everyone going electric these days?" Well, yeah, but Bugatti isn’t just anyone. The automaker has a legacy that is built on mind-blowing internal combustion engines going back nearly a century. Think, Type 41 a.k.a the Bugatti Royale, and it’s 12.8-liter straight 8 from the 1930s. In modern times, the EB 110 in the early ’90s from the pre-VW era, was powered by a 3.5-liter quad-turbo V12, pushing out over 600 horsepower.

Later came the infamous 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 with the Veyron and the Chiron, which was developed by bolting two V8s, horizontally. This engine configuration was uncommon in a production car. The W16 was rated at a maximum of 1,578 horsepower, with the Chiron Super Sport 300+ (2019), Chiron Pur Sport (2020), and the Chiron Super Sport (2021).

In a recent interview with TopGear, Mate Rimac stated,

"Bugatti is really there for performance, raising the bar for over 100 years. So I thought we need a hypercar, we need a successor to the Chiron."

Then he continued talking about choosing the powertrain configuration for the successor and how the Nevera proves to be the pinnacle electric powertrain. Then after, he said,

"For Bugatti, it’s not the time yet. Bugatti needs to be very emotional still with a combustion engine. And then when already combustion engine then let’s do it special. So naturally aspirated..."

Internal Combustion is the way to go for Bugatti (Period)

Was The Bugatti Tourbillon Supposed To Be An EV? Drivetrain storyboard - image 181627

The Tourbillon’s V16 hybrid configuration is more insane than any production car! And this is not just about power! Sure, electric cars are cool and all, but for some of us, there’s nothing quite like the visceral roar of a high-performance engine. With its V16, the Tourbillon should deliver a similar experience of feeling every piston firing and the vibrations accompanied by every gear change.

Now, before you worshippers of Greta Thunberg start throwing shade, hear me out. Bugatti isn’t against progress; the French marque is just doing things that its customers want, which is complexity. The more bizarre tech you throw at any product in the market, the more attention it gets. EVs aren’t complex and are easier to build compared to internal combustion cars (there’s a reason why small startups are into EVs). Secondly, while most Bugattis aren’t meant for carving corners like a race car, adding weight due to the battery pack would’ve hindered the handling characteristics of the Tourbillon.

The Tourbillon isn’t a dinosaur; it’s a hybrid. It combines the best of both worlds while being sleek, more luxurious on the inside, and, surprisingly, maintaining a similar curb weight to the Chiron. This is a total win-win for Bugatti and its customers. BMW debuted the new-generation M5 with a V8 hybrid powertrain weighing 1,045 pounds more than the previous M5 Competition. Yikes! Maybe the Tourbillon’s successor will be a full-fledged EV, but that is some time away. So for now, enjoy and appreciate the Tourbillon if you see one on the road sometime in 2026.

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