The Ultimate Bugatti Roadster

With the W16 Mistral, Bugatti pushes the boundaries even further of what an ultra-sporty Roadster can be.

Bugatti enthusiasts, and car lovers in general, will certainly have their heads in the clouds when recalling certain past masterpieces such as the Type 40 A, the Type 41 Roadster Esders, the Type 55 Roadster, and the iconic Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid Gangloff. Created between the mid-1920s and the late 1930s, these Bugatti Roadsters were produced in very limited series with an absolute pursuit of perfection. This philosophy has continued with the brand’s latest creations.

The W16 Mistral is the first Bugatti Roadster since the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, introduced in 2012. It is also the final appearance on the road of the legendary W16 engine. Don’t think that the manufacturer merely removed the roof from a Chiron to create this extreme convertible. Designed around the 8-liter, 1600-horsepower 16-cylinder engine, the W16 Mistral benefits from a reshaped and reconfigured carbon monocoque to refine its silhouette and, of course, to meet strict safety regulations, especially those for open-top vehicles. It’s indeed a formidable challenge to design a Roadster capable of reaching 420 km/h!

A new highly advanced air intake system was specially developed for the W16 Mistral due to its exterior architecture. To supply the thirsty engine with air, specific ducts, located behind the headrests, were designed and developed in carbon fiber, taking into account very strict safety tests.

The interior is equally exceptional, with bespoke leather upholstering even the door panels. A nod to the illustrious predecessors of the W16 Mistral, the gear lever machined from a solid block of aluminum pays homage to Rembrandt Bugatti’s famous sculpture “Dancing Elephant.” This sculpture adorned the radiator of the iconic Type 41 Royale, Ettore’s most luxurious creation.

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