Bugatti’s monster quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W16 power plant – which has in various iterations powered Veyrons, Chirons and more for over 20 years – might be in the twilight of its career, but its list of achievements isn’t complete just yet. It powers the new Bugatti Mistral, a roadster that has just become the world’s fastest open-top car, registering a top speed of 453.91km/h, or 282mph.
The record-breaking run took place on 9 November at the Papenburg test track in Germany, driven by Bugatti’s official driver and Le Mans winning legend Andy Wallace. This accomplishment builds on the brand’s legacy of speed records, dethroning the open-top Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse’s 408.84 km/h record in 2013. During the record attempt, Wallace eased the bespoke tires to 200km/h on the banked circuit, before unleashing the car’s full power down the straight.
Although the run of 99 Mistrals were all pre-sold at a price of €5m each, the one-off car used for the run is actually a €14-million creation specifically requested for one of the brand’s most prolific collectors. The W16 Mistral World Record Car will join The Singh Collection, where it will sit alongside the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, and Chiron Super Sport 300+.
Its design includes a visible black carbon fibre exterior with Jet Orange accents, echoing the style of the previous Bugatti’s record-breakers.
The record attempt was witnessed by the car’s owner, who also experienced a high-speed passenger run with Wallace.
Bugatti’s CEO, Mate Rimac, praised the achievement as a testament to the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries. The W16 Mistral’s success reflects not only Bugatti’s engineering excellence but also the passion of its team and the vision of its collectors. This latest record cements Bugatti’s position at the forefront of automotive performance, blending history with a drive for future innovation.
