Stunning $6m Bugatti Tourbillon hyper-hybrid revealed

The long-anticipated V16 hybrid-powered 2026 Bugatti Tourbillon has been revealed in full as the next generation of record-breaking Bugatti hypercar.

Taking design inspiration from the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Mistral and the Chiron hypercar it replaces, the stunning Tourbillon is all-new from the ground up, underpinned by an aerospace-grade carbon-composite monocoque and powered by a monstrous 8.3-litre V16 plug-in hybrid powertrain complete with three drive motors.

Production, which gets underway in 2026, will be capped at 250 units, with pricing to open at €3.8 million – equivalent to $6.1 million Aussie dollars based on today’s exchange rates and placing the Tourbillon in line as the world’s most expensive ‘series production’ car.

The Tourbillon is also set to become the world’s quickest road car, launching from 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.0 seconds flat, reaching 200km/h in less than 5.0sec, 300km/h in less than 10.0sec and 400km/h in less than 25.0sec, before it reaches a governed top speed of 445km/h.

For comparison, the Chiron Super Sport can complete 0-100km/h in 2.4sec and 0-300km/h in 12.1sec, before topping out at 439km/h.

The key instrument behind the Tourbillon’s figures is the new V16 PHEV powertrain that replaces the Chiron’s 8.0-litre quad-turbo (1177kW in Super Sport) and develops a combined 1342kW of power (1800hp).

Developed by Bugatti-owned Rimac in collaboration with Cosworth, the Tourbillon’s naturally aspirated V16 alone – which measures about one metre from end-to-end and weighs just 252kg – produces 746kW (1000hp) at 9000rpm and 900Nm of torque.

The electric motors add 597kW (800hp), comprising two 250kW units on the front axle (producing 3000Nm at the wheels) and another 250kW/340Nm e-motor at the rear, drawing energy from a 24.8kWh battery that yields the Tourbillon a 60km all-electric range.

Drive is sent to all four wheels (20-inch front/21-inch rear) via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and electronic limited-slip differential.

The powertrain is packaged around a dual-valve electronically adjustable multi-link suspension front and rear, while stopping power comes from giant Brembo brakes with eight-piston callipers up front and six-piston grippers at the rear.

Kerb weight has increased slightly compared to the Chiron Super Sport (1945kg compared to “less than” 1995kg) but remains under two tonnes in the imposing low-slung Tourbillon, which measures 4671mm long, 2165mm wide (including mirrors), 1189mm high and rests on a 2740mm wheelbase.

The cabin is awash with the finest of materials: exotic leather, titanium, wood, cashmere, sapphire and more.

It features a unique steering wheel and instrument binnacle combination, which has the former circumnavigate the latter, removing the need for a traditional dash and instrument cluster.

The tiller itself is a two-spoke D-shape design with a pair of control clusters flanking the column-mounted horn immediately below the more than 600-piece analogue instrument binnacle designed by Swiss watch-makers.

Occupants are separated by a raised centre console, a continuation of the Bugatti C design theme and a McLaren-style vertical control fascia jutting out from the dash housing the gear selector, volume and climate controls, select vehicle functions and a hidden infotainment system that rises out of the top as needed.

The bucket seats are bolted directly to the floor to allow for the lowest driving position possible, with the pedals and steering column being adjustable.

And the name? The company says that “as the first Bugatti in more than 20 years not powered by the iconic W16 engine, the tradition of naming core models after legendary Bugatti racing drivers of the past is no longer applied”.

“Instead, the name Tourbillon was chosen as the perfect encapsulation of this car’s character. A French word, and a subtle reference to Bugatti’s French heritage and home in Molsheim, the tourbillon is a watchmaking invention of a Swiss-born genius living in France in 1801,” Bugatti said.

“A completely original creation without compare, it is both complex and beautiful, helping to counteract the effects of gravity on a watch to ensure more consistent time-keeping.

“And over 200 years later it is still revered as the pinnacle of watchmaking.”

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