Bugatti’s next-generation hypercar is continuing its public shakedown, this time in winter conditions. The Tourbillon prototype was recently driven on snow-covered pavement in Zagreb by Mate Rimac, the chief executive of Bugatti, offering a rare real-world glimpse of the brand’s most ambitious model to date.
A short video shared on social media shows Rimac entering the Tourbillon and pushing it hard across a snow-covered parking lot. The footage highlights the car sliding and accelerating with apparent confidence, even as winter conditions limit available traction. The scene follows an earlier moment from two weeks prior when the same prototype drew attention after becoming briefly stuck in a snowbank, underscoring that testing is taking place outside of controlled environments.
The latest footage suggests the Tourbillon is capable of handling more adverse conditions than many would expect from a hypercar. The surface appears heavily covered in snow, yet the car maintains composure as it accelerates and changes direction, offering an early look at how its advanced drivetrain and electronics manage extreme power delivery in low-grip scenarios.
The video also provides a chance to hear the Tourbillon’s new powertrain in action. Mounted behind the cabin is an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine, a major departure from the turbocharged setups used in previous Bugatti models. While the engine note sounds relatively subdued in the clip, that characteristic aligns with modern emissions requirements rather than a lack of performance.
On its own, the V16 produces 1,000 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 664 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with three electric motors, forming a hybrid system that delivers a combined output of 1,800 horsepower. According to published specifications, the Tourbillon can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.0 seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 248 mph.
The winter test drive offers a reminder that the Tourbillon is still deep in development, with Bugatti continuing to evaluate the car in a wide range of real-world conditions. As testing progresses, moments like this provide insight into how the brand is blending extreme performance with modern hybrid technology in its next flagship model.
Shawn Henry