Bugatti is expanding its luxury car catalog!
On Thursday, the legendary French brand announced the release of its first hybrid hypercar, The Tourbillon. The new model swaps out the W16 engine and four turbochargers for V16 and three electric motors. Combined, this gives the Tourbillon 1,800 horsepower, which surpasses Bugatti’s latest W16 model, the Chiron, which totaled 1,500 horsepower. As of now, the Tourbillon is currently undergoing testing and has a top speed of 248 mph.
“We chose the hardest option, creating a powertrain from scratch and pairing it seamlessly with a complex system of e-motors, a new generation eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and more, all developed from the ground up, “Emilio Scervo, Bugatti’s chief technical officer, said in a press release. “But it was important to us that this car retains that pure and raw analog feel of a naturally aspirated combustion engine.”
Despite the extra weight from the large battery pack, the Tourbillon is still lighter than the Chiron due to the lightweight material used in the engine and framework. The three motors, located in the front and rear axles, are powered by a 25 kWh 800V battery positioned behind the driver and passenger.
To add to its appeal, the interior of the Tourbillon has been completely redesigned and now features a small touchscreen that can be visible or hidden at the driver’s request. Crafted by Swiss watchmakers, the instrument cluster includes over 600 parts and is made from titanium and gemstones such as ruby and sapphire. Additionally, Bugatti made the interior more spacious and suitable for longer drives and added a front trunk for extra storage.
Bugatti’s decision to release a hybrid vehicle instead of a fully electric car mirrors a shift across the auto industry. Lately, many carmakers have pushed back their EV plans due to slowing electric vehicle sales, while hybrids are on the rise.
