Bugatti has revealed the heartbeat of its next hyper sports car generation: a groundbreaking V16 hybrid powertrain capable of producing 1,800 horsepower. The new engine, first featured in the upcoming Bugatti Tourbillon, is the brand’s most radical departure yet from its W16 predecessor—ushering in an era where engineering meets pure emotion.
Documented in Episode Seven of the marque’s A New Era YouTube docuseries, the V16 project dates back to 2021 when Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac enlisted Cosworth to help develop a naturally aspirated engine unlike anything on the road. The resulting 8.3-liter V16, paired with three electric motors, delivers 1,000 hp at 9,000 rpm from the combustion engine alone, complemented by 800 hp of instant torque from electric assistance.
“This engine is one of the largest and most complex naturally aspirated units ever created, nearly a meter long with a massive crankshaft,” said Emilio Scervo, Chief Technical Officer of Bugatti Rimac. “It is the culmination of our dream to create something truly unmatched in the automotive world.”
Bugatti deviated from traditional development by testing with a four-cylinder mule instead of a single-cylinder prototype—allowing engineers to tune sound, behavior, and performance simultaneously. Aesthetics were also front and center: the plenum and visible components were treated as sculptural elements, echoing Bugatti’s tradition of mechanical artistry.
In the new Tourbillon, this hybrid powerhouse accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in just 2.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 445 km/h (276 mph), securing its place among the world’s fastest production cars.
The V16 Tourbillon stands not only as a feat of engineering but as a philosophical embodiment of Bugatti’s future—fusing heritage craftsmanship with forward-thinking design.