Bugatti is ushering in a new era of performance and precision engineering with the Tourbillon, a hyper sports car designed to push the limits of aerodynamic efficiency. Unveiled in June 2024, the Tourbillon represents a technological leap beyond its predecessor, the record-breaking Chiron, refining airflow and optimizing drag for unprecedented stability and speed.
From the outset, Bugatti’s engineering team aimed to surpass the Chiron’s already low-drag design. Chief Vehicle Engineer Paul Burnham emphasized the need for greater aerodynamic efficiency, leading to extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and rigorous wind tunnel testing. The project began with a meticulously crafted half-scale model, assembled from 250 3D-printed components and fitted with over 100 pressure sensors to analyze airflow, static pressure, and mass-flow measurements.
“This test represents the first validation of the scale model,” said David Šoštarić, Head of Aerodynamics at Bugatti Rimac. “We assess different design volumes and changes to the car, refining its high-speed performance before shifting focus to handling efficiency.”
Key aerodynamic advancements include a lowered frontal area, a highly sophisticated rear diffuser, and a more compact cockpit profile. The result is a car capable of reaching top speeds without deploying its rear wing—an engineering feat that enhances stability and efficiency.
As the Tourbillon evolved from model to full-scale prototype, testing intensified in larger wind tunnel facilities, further refining real-world performance. Engineers also tackled the complexities of hybridization, ensuring optimal cooling through precision airflow management via the Bugatti C-line intakes and front radiator channels.
Bugatti’s commitment to perfection is evident in the Tourbillon’s evolution, setting a new benchmark for hypercar aerodynamics while seamlessly merging combustion power with state-of-the-art electric performance.
Shawn Henry