Bugatti showcases the 1,775bhp Tourbillon’s bare chassis, featuring a V16 engine and three electric motors, highlighting its groundbreaking new platform.
Bugatti has unveiled the bare chassis of its latest hypercar, the Tourbillon, powered by an astonishing 1,775bhp V16 engine. The display reveals the intricate engineering behind this high-speed marvel.
If you follow the basic engineering principles of TopGear.com, building a hypercar might seem simple: start with a massive engine, attach it to a go-kart frame, add fancy dampers, a steering wheel, some seats, and a roof—and voilà, you have a car that can hit 300 mph. However, as the disassembled Bugatti Tourbillon reveals, creating such a vehicle is far more complex.
After two decades of success with the Veyron and Chiron, Bugatti realized that the old platform, though legendary, had reached its limits. To achieve new heights in performance, Bugatti went back to the drawing board to create a completely new platform for the Tourbillon—one that could accommodate both a massive engine and cutting-edge electric power.
The Bugatti Tourbillon is equipped with a V16 engine, supported by three electric motors, requiring a total of eight radiators—five positioned at the front. Of those five, two serve the engine, while the other three are dedicated to cooling the cabin and the electric components.
To power the electric motors, Bugatti integrated a T-shaped 24kWh battery pack into the Tourbillon’s structure, enabling the car to drive 37 miles purely on electric power. The battery powers two motors mounted on the front axle and a third motor paired with the V16 at the rear. Together, these components deliver a combined 1,775bhp, propelling the Tourbillon to the pinnacle of hypercar performance.
“The Tourbillon is a statement of intent,” Bugatti declared. “This platform represents a new era for Bugatti, one focused on unmatched optimization and performance. As we enter this new chapter, this platform will remain a foundation for everything the brand undertakes.”
Could this mean a 300 mph top speed is within reach? Only time will tell.
