Be it the Veyron, Chiron, or their special editions, French supercar maker Bugatti has always had our jaws drop. But this time, it’s like enthusiasts find themselves picking their jaws off the floor. The Tourbillon that replaces the Chiron is an automobile unlike any other, merely going by its specifications. Interestingly, most were expecting the Chiron’s quad-turbocharged W16 engine to get electrification, but Bugatti hasn’t done that and has ditched the engine, going in for a naturally aspirated V16 engine!
Augmenting things on the performance front are three electric motors, which is not surprising considering that Croatian car maker Rimac now has a controlling percent stake in Bugatti. The 8.3-litre, V16 engine revs to 9,000rpm and offers 1,000PS and 900Nm on its own, making it one of the most powerful combustion engines in a road-going car ever. This is besides the three electric motors (two on the front axle and one on the rear axle) which offer an additional 800PS, making for an unreal output of 1800PS! All this power is put down via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Bugatti decided not to continue with the quad-turbo engine to offer a more emotive experience through a naturally aspirated engine, which has also enabled the 9,000rpm redline. The engine uses dry sump lubrication along with a cross-plane crank and weighs a mere 252kg! The electric motors are juiced by a 24.8kWh battery which offers a standalone, electric-only range of 60km. Claimed 0-100kmph time is a scant 2 seconds, 5 seconds for 0-200kmph, while the claimed top speed is 445kmph!
The Tourbillon uses a forged aluminium multi-link suspension setup, claimed to be 45 percent lighter than the Chiron’s, and suspension and chassis (carbon composite) components have been developed using 3D printing. Also, at 1,995kg, the Tourbillon is lighter than the Chiron, thanks to its bespoke carbon shell.
The Tourbillon looks a lot sleeker than the Chiron and is far more aerodynamic, despite its dihedral doors, even making the 400kmph-capable Veyron look like an old dinosaur. Interiors retain the timeless feel of combustion engine-powered cars, including the instrument cluster which has been designed and built by Swiss watchmakers! Prices begin from ₹34 crores, and that’s excluding taxes and duties, and only 250 units of the Tourbillon are being made for the world!
