One of the most challenging feats in the automotive industry is creating a roadster that can reach speeds of 400 km/h, offer a luxurious experience for its passengers, and showcase the auditory brilliance of a legendary engine. The W16 Mistral by Bugatti embodies the brand’s spirit of adventure and freedom, meticulously designed to masterfully harness the full force of the wind, resulting in a roadster that seamlessly blends high speed, relentless performance, and acoustic perfection.
Bugatti’s aerodynamic journey played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the W16 Mistral. Beginning in the realm of simulation, digital development allowed engineers and designers to create groundbreaking airflow designs, later perfected in the real world through empirical and meticulous experience. Only through such precise measures can Bugatti achieve the performance standards required for speeds exceeding 420 km/h.
Despite the roadster’s exceptional speed, Bugatti prioritizes interior comfort and luxury, aiming to unite these core attributes seamlessly. To meet this challenge, the Bugatti team crafted a sophisticated aero-inspired design combined with advanced technical additions. The intelligent design redirects air away from occupants while ensuring the iconic 16-cylinder powertrain breathes freely, creating a delicate interplay of real-time, high-speed airflow.
The W16 Mistral features a roof spoiler that conducts an airflow symphony, positioned at the top of the windshield to channel air away from the driver and passenger while maximizing downforce on the rear wing. The Bugatti horseshoe grill has been re-imagined with wider proportions to force-feed air into the central radiator, maintaining critical cooling despite the new front end design.
Remaining true to Bugatti’s ‘form follows performance’ ethos, strategically placed air scoops behind the occupants draw air in to feed the powerful W16 engine. The inner workings of the W16 engine, one of the industry’s greatest powertrains, become more audible as the turbos pop and hiss when the driver lifts off the accelerator, creating an aero acoustic engineering masterpiece. The scoops also serve as a safety feature, embedded with a carbon fiber crash structure.
Intelligent air inlets located on the side panels of the roadster maximize dynamic pressure levels, cooling down oil for the engine, gearbox, and rear axle. The development of the W16 Mistral, deeply rooted in Bugatti’s heritage and technical expertise, pays homage to its namesake, resulting in Bugatti’s most aerodynamic and emotionally resonant roadster to date.
