In the world of lightning-fast EVs, the impact of properly quick acceleration numbers has been lessened somewhat. But combustion power still holds the advantage - for now, at least - when it comes to truly crazy top speeds, as ably demonstrated once again by Bugatti and its staggering W16, quad-turbo engine. It’s hard not to smirk with glee just writing this down: the Mistral has claimed a new top speed world record for an open-top car, at 453.91km/h - or 282mph. Two eighty!
Bugatti has some previous here, of course, with the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse reaching 254mph in 2010 and the Super Sport version clocking 268mph. But to add 14mph again, to reach a speed that’s more than four times the British national speed limit, is wild. The record run took place on November 9th at the ATP Automotive Testing facility in Papenburg, with the ‘meticulous control’ of SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH ensuring absolute accuracy of the recorded speed. Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac and the owner of this very car - more on that in a sec - were also in attendance.
Bugatti Pilote Officiel and official legend Andy Wallace was on Mistral driving duty. He said of the experience: “When it came to the moment itself, the experience was overwhelmingly thrilling; feeling the elemental forces from the open-top cockpit, the sound of the immense W16 engine emanating from the air scoops next to my ear - it made the achievement incredibly emotional. A record like this pushes the boundaries of automotive innovation, and requires immense focus, dedication, and teamwork to realise. It’s a true testament to the passion that everyone at Bugatti has for making history.”
As for the car itself, this W16 Mistral is special even by Bugatti’s exalted standards. Because rather than a prototype that will spawn a limited production run - as per the 304.773mph Chiron - this Mistral is a unique customer car. It’s the only one that there ever has or ever will be like this, specced like previous record-breaking Bugattis with visible carbon and Jet Orange running throughout the car. Bugatti says that the W16 Mistral World Record Car - to give it its full name - is worth €14m, or more than £11.5m.
There’s additional significance beyond the nod to recent history, too, as the owner of this one also has all of the previous Bugatti World Record cars. Yes, really. So that’s the Veyron Super Sport, Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition and Chiron Super Sport 300+, as well as this car. They all form part of The Singh Collection, a private portfolio that showcases ‘the aspirational achievements of the community from Punjab, India.’ Probably quite a few members of that community without a collection of Bugattis, but there we are.
Mate Rimac added of the record: “The Bugatti World Record Cars throughout the marque’s history have represented the epitome of speed and power, setting new boundaries and redefining again and again, what Bugatti vehicles are capable of. And now, with the unparalleled achievement of the W16 Mistal Record Car etched into the history books, we see history not just repeating itself, but new history made. We are immensely proud of the whole team that made this incredible achievement possible - an achievement defined by passion and the pursuit of perfection. This is what defines Bugattis - and what makes its achievements truly incomparable.”
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