Just a short couple of years ago, Bugatti announced the coming of the W16 Mistral. So-named for the powerful prevailing winds that gust through marque’s homeland of Southern France, this bespoke luxury car has another major claim to fame—it’s the last production model ever made with the iconic W16 engine.
The Mistral officially marks the end of an era, but it’s not a cause for tears. Instead, it represents an opportunity to look at the past, present, and future of the world’s fastest vehicles.
Bugatti W16 Mistral Specs and Features
The design of the W16 Mistral is partially inspired by groundbreaking Bugatti models from nearly a century ago—namely, the 1934 Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Usine. It boasts many functional and aesthetic cues from this legendary model, including the dual headrests and engine air scoops.
At the same time, the Mistral has just as much in common with other W16 Bugatti models, including the Veyron and Chiron. Each of these models represent a distinct era of Bugatti’s modern history, as well as cutting-edge developments in aerodynamic design. These developments have allowed the W16 Mistral to set numerous records, including one for the fastest speed for an open top car.
Most recently, the W16 Mistral’s top speed was clocked at a blistering 453.91 km/h, or roughly 282 miles per hour for our fellow Americans.
The W16 Mistral’s mind-blowing speeds are largely thanks to the W16 engine, which gets its name from its W-shaped profile and 16 cylinders, which create 8.0 liters of displacement. It also features four turbochargers, which allow it to generate the 1,600 PS, or 1,578 horsepower.
Of course, the engine is just one element of the W16 Mistral’s unparalleled acceleration and handling. Like the Divo and La Voiture Noire, every surface is crafted with the utmost precision to reduce drag and create sufficient downforce to hold the hyper sports car to the road. These features are especially important when designing an open-top vehicle.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The W16 Mistral serves as a victory lap for the famed engine as Bugatti sets their sights toward the future. So, what’s next?
Why is Bugatti Discontinuing the W16 Engine?
The W16 engine has been at the heart of Bugatti’s hyper sports cars since 2005, when it was first detailed in specs for the Veyron 16.4. It went through many iterations and improvements since then, including multiple complete redesigns and the development of sequential turbocharging.
So, after more than two decades of lauded performance, why would the marque choose to do away with it now?
As with nearly all current-day automakers, the answer lies partially in changing priorities. Modern consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever before, and powertrain technology has slowly changed to reflect that. With the recently revealed Bugatti Tourbillion, the marque has created an entirely new engine—an 8.3-liter V12, which is assisted by three powerful electric motors.
Performance car aficionados need not worry though. Just because the new Bugatti V12 motor is technically a hybrid, that doesn’t mean it’s any less powerful. In total, the Tourbillion is estimated to crank out 1,800 horsepower.
How Can I Buy a New Bugatti W16 Mistral in Miami, FL?
Unfortunately, if you want to have your own brand-new W16 Mistral, you’d also need a time machine. Only 99 models were planned for production, and they sold out almost immediately.
The good news? There’s still plenty of opportunities to be part of the Bugatti story. Contact our Bugatti sales manager near Aventura, FL to discover how you can customize your very own Bugatti model to your exact specs.
You can also find dozens of exotic pre-owned cars for sale on our website. Call us at (786) 646-0787 to learn more.