Bugatti considers V16 hypercar with a manual gearbox
Bugatti could take an unexpected turn with its next hypercar, dropping electric assistance and an automatic transmission. Company boss Mate Rimac is considering a lighter sports car with a naturally aspirated V16 engine and a proper manual gearbox. Rather than the current Tourbillon’s 1324 kW, around 735 kW would be enough if the result were a much lighter car with more direct handling.
Less power, more driving pleasure
Bugatti boss Mate Rimac told Top Gear in an interview published on 26 October that the Tourbillon is not just a standalone hypercar, but a technology platform on which other models can be developed.
Rimac wants to explore a return to Bugatti’s historic values, which put low weight, precise handling and a direct connection between driver and car first. He cited the legendary Type 35 racing car as an example.
Asked about using a genuine manual gearbox, Rimac gave an unequivocal yes. However, Bugatti has yet to confirm a specific development project or a production decision.
The V16 could manage without electric motors
The current Tourbillon combines a Cosworth-developed 8.3-litre naturally aspirated V16 with three electric motors. The combustion engine produces 735 kW and 900 Nm and revs to 9000 rpm.
The hybrid system’s total output reaches 1324 kW. The drivetrain uses an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The potential new model would dispense with the 25 kWh battery and three electric motors. Together with a lighter gearbox, this could reduce the car’s weight by an estimated 300 kg. The current Tourbillon weighs around 1995 kg.
Although this change would cut power by almost half, it would improve the power-to-weight ratio by less than might initially be expected. The real gains would lie in a lower moment of inertia, more immediate responses and a simpler drivetrain.
The biggest technical challenge would be a manual gearbox capable of handling the V16’s 900 Nm of torque while delivering the precision and ease of use expected of a Bugatti.
Bugatti seeks emotion rather than records
In the Veyron and Chiron era, Bugatti built its reputation on extraordinary power and top speed. A new direction could instead put the emphasis on the driving experience.
This approach echoes the philosophy of Gordon Murray Automotive’s T.50, in which lightweight construction, a naturally aspirated engine and a manual gearbox matter more than the outright speed record.
For Bugatti, this would offer an opportunity to provide something that even the most powerful electric hypercars cannot replicate: a mechanical connection between the driver and a 16-cylinder engine.
The company’s new ownership structure is also important. According to Rimac, moving out of the Volkswagen Group’s sphere of influence gives Bugatti greater freedom to develop bolder projects than before.
In the European hypercar market, a manual V16 could become an exceptionally sought-after collectors’ car, particularly as large-capacity naturally aspirated engines become increasingly rare.
Bugatti has not confirmed production, pricing or an unveiling date for the new model. If the project does go ahead, it could become one of the automotive industry’s last great celebrations of the mechanical driving experience.
