The Bugatti Mistral sets new world record for open-top cars. As a reminder, the Mistral is the very last car to use the company’s well-known quad-turbocharged W16 engine. The engine that was created for the Veyron was constantly developed and eventually powered the Chiron. Bugatti hinted at this record when the Mistral made is debut. Its press release at the time stated: There can only be one goal in mind: to become the fastest roadster in the world once more. The company just made good on its promised by setting a new top-speed world record for an open-top car, at 453,91 km/h. 

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Throughout the testing program leading up to this moment, it was incredible to feel how stable the car felt – I got the sense that it wanted to go faster. And when it came to the moment itself, the experience was overwhelmingly thrilling; feeling the elemental forces from the open-top cockpit, the sound of the immense W16 engine emanating from the air scoops next to my ear – it made the achievement incredibly emotional. A record like this pushes the boundaries of automotive innovation, and requires immense focus, dedication, and teamwork to realize. It’s a true testament to the passion that everyone at Bugatti has for making history – Andy Wallace, Bugatti Pilote Officiel

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Flat Out

Bugatti returned to ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg in Germany, the same site of its other top-speed adventures. Last weekend Bugatti brass as well as company hotshoe, and former Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace took over the test facility to give the W16 force-fed motor a fitting goodbye. The record-setting Mistral is finised in the same black and orange as its record-breaking forebears. This includes the car that SA driving legend Giniel de Villiers drove, which you can read about here. Wallace unleashed the full power of the force-fed 8,0-litre W16 mill. With 1177 kW unleashed he set a record that will be hard to beat. Incidentally, he even took the car’s owner for a high-speed passenger run. 

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In His Own Words

“Since the inception of Bugatti in 1909, the marque has sought to supersede the perceived realms of possibility in luxury, elegance, and performance. The Bugatti World Record Cars throughout the marque’s history have represented the epitome of speed and power, setting new boundaries and redefining again and again, what Bugatti vehicles are capable of. And now, with the unparalleled achievement of the W16 Mistral World Record Car etched into the history books, we see history not just repeating itself, but new history made. We are immensely proud of the whole team that made this incredible achievement possible – an achievement defined by passion and the pursuit of perfection. That is what defines Bugatti – and what makes its achievements truly incomparable.” Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac