# Bugatti Tourbillon development and sales

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bugatti-tourbillon-development-and-sales
> Updated: 2026-10-26T14:38:24.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

The Bugatti Tourbillon, a limited-production hybrid hypercar, has transitioned from prototype testing to a complete sell-out of its planned 250 units. Early demonstrations of the vehicle featured its 8.3-liter atmospheric V16 engine and hybrid system, which produces a combined 1,800 CV.

Development of the Tourbillon marked a strategic departure from previous directions favored by the Volkswagen Group, which had advocated for an all-electric successor to the Chiron. While Volkswagen pushed for electrification using the existing Rimac Nevera platform to reduce development costs and time, CEO Mate Rimac opted to build a new platform from scratch to preserve mechanical complexity, sound, and vibration.

Rimac stated the decision was driven by market feedback from the Rimac Nevera, noting that ultra-high-end clients seek the “emotional experience, sound, and mechanical complexity of a combustion engine” rather than a purely battery-powered vehicle.

The powertrain features an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 developed in collaboration with Cosworth. This combustion engine produces 1,000 hp, supplemented by three electric motors providing an additional 800 hp. To support this architecture, the vehicle utilizes a 25 kWh oil-cooled battery integrated into the carbon fiber structure, which enables an electric-only range of over 60 km.

Recent developments include public demonstrations of a prototype, where the V16 engine was showcased during testing. The vehicle has undergone extreme climate testing in Spain and Sweden, with estimated prices ranging between 3.5 and 4.5 million euros.

Furthermore, Mate Rimac has indicated that Bugatti may consider developing a more analog version of the hypercar. This potential variant would feature a traditional manual transmission and a naturally aspirated V16 engine without hybrid assistance, removing the electric motors and battery to reduce weight.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Bugatti considers manual transmission and non-hybrid V16 engine

Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac suggests the company may develop a manual transmission, non-hybrid version of its V16 hypercar to prioritize driver engagement and weight reduction.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bugatti-considers-manual-transmission-and-non-hybrid-v16-engine

### 2026-10-22: Bugatti Tourbillon adopts V16 hybrid engine over electric platform

Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac rejected Volkswagen's push for an electric successor to the Chiron, instead developing the Tourbillon as a 1,800 hp V16 plug-in hybrid to meet specific collector demands.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bugatti-tourbillon-v16-production-capacity-fully-sold-out

### 2026-10-17: Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac lets enthusiast drive Tourbillon prototype

Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac allowed enthusiast Freddie Atkins to drive a Bugatti Tourbillon prototype, showcasing the 1,800 CV hybrid V16 hypercar.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bugatti-ceo-mate-rimac-lets-enthusiast-drive-tourbillon-prototype

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Cite as: Bugatti Tourbillon development and sales. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bugatti-tourbillon-development-and-sales