The Need for Speed: Bugatti Mistral Blasts Past Records
Remember when Mate Rimac casually mentioned earlier this summer that Bugatti would start chasing speed records again? Initially, I thought, “Great—just another automaker executive spinning yarns to keep us entertained.” But it turns out, he was dead serious, as the French hypercar maestro just pushed the Bugatti Mistral to an astonishing 282 mph—with the top down. Yes, you read that right.
A Record-Setting Ride
This isn’t just any old benchmark; it’s a top-speed world record for what Bugatti calls an “open-top car.” The Mistral zipped its way through a high-speed testing facility in Papenburg, Germany—an arena famously where the Veyron 16.4 clocked an eye-watering 267.8 mph back in 2010. A remarkable feat, sure, especially for its time, but fast forward to now, and the Mistral has officially dethroned America’s pride, the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, which had its moment in 2016 at 265.6 mph. Take that!
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The Power Behind the Mistral
Now, let’s talk horsepower. The Mistral is juiced up with an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine that unleashes a thunderous 1,578 horsepower. Mind you, this is not just a matter of power; this marks the end of an era for Bugatti. The upcoming Bugatti Tourbillon plans to scrap the W layout altogether, opting for a plug-in hybrid setup—innovation at its finest.
And what about that world-record Mistral? Well, it’s not just another ride off the production line. Bugatti’s only whipping up 99 of these beauties, but this particular one—the Mistral World Record Car—is a special beast. It’s already claimed by one of the brand’s most loyal customers and is rumored to cost a staggering $14,000,000. The justifications for that hefty price tag? It features a striking bare carbon and orange livery signifying its speed triumph. The owner’s got a taste for the remarkable; alongside this record-setter, they reportedly hold a Chiron Super Sport 300+, a Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and even a Veyron Super Sport. Talk about a legendary collection! All we know about this mystery person is a last name that might just be Singh.
Closing Thoughts
So, Hennessey, where you at? The gauntlet has officially been thrown down.
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And that’s a wrap. The saga of the Bugatti Mistral continues, and if this is just the beginning, strap in for what’s to come!