Bugatti Reimagines the Supercar

Gothic cathedrals have a new rival for architectural drama—and this one hits 60 mph faster than you can say “holy hypercars.” The Bugatti Tourbillon isn’t just another supercar; it’s a brooding presence on wheels that makes rotating dihedral doors look less like a throwback to the DeLorean era and more like the menacing wings of a mechanical predator. With a revolutionary hybrid powertrain and an interior that thumbs its nose at touchscreen trends, this latest creation from Bugatti’s historic Molsheim headquarters proves that sometimes the future doesn’t need screens to feel futuristic.

Written by Maxim Sorokopud

If the words “Announcing the new Batmobile” accompanied an image of the Bugatti Tourbillon, how many people would doubt, even for a second, that this was true? I’d wager that zero out of 100 individuals would do so. The car just captures that menacing, gothic comic book feel so effortlessly that it’s difficult to believe this is an actual automobile that can be purchased in real life.

If you were left with any doubt regarding just how bold and brave the Tourbillon is, then ask yourself the following question: How on earth has it managed to make rotating dihedral doors, which hark back to kitsch gull-wing “DeLorean” doors, look so stylish? By all rights, these doors should invite mockery. But with the Tourbillon, it’s almost as if, when those doors are raised, the vehicle is staring you down and warning that there’ll be dire consequences for any insult.

Inside, the Tourbillon looks similarly larger than life, with the unique dashboard layout and upholstery having a distinctively modern, essentially chrome, punk-like feel. Clearly, Bugatti, with this fantastical exterior and interior, is unashamedly targeting those among us who long to be like Bruce Wayne!

Bugatti takes credit for the very concept of the hyper-sports car and claims that the Tourbillon completely redefines this conceptualization. For instance, one novel approach is, in lieu of turbochargers, to combine a combustion engine with an incredibly high-performance power train consisting of an electric motor in the rear, two electric motors in the front, and a 25-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

Bugatti’s director of design, Frank Heyl, states that a core philosophy that influences the entire concept-to-completion process of one of the company’s cars is to create something timeless. This approach has certainly contributed to the uniqueness of the Tourbillon. An example that Frank notes is the lack of screens within the interior. Instead, every aspect of the dashboard conveys a sturdiness and physicality that eschews the typical stereotypes of futuristic interiors while still looking ultra-modern.

Both Frank and Bugatti Rimac’s CEO, Mate Rimac, state that design choices were influenced by the emotions that the Tourbillon could evoke, whether it was the sound of the engine or the extreme proportions of the vehicle. Of course, we can’t hear the ferocious roar of the engine on this page, but who can deny that, judging by the images alone, this outstanding vehicle conjures up a specific sensation of vigilantism, making us want to jump behind the wheel and save the day?

Since 1909, Bugatti has innovated the automotive industry thanks to an ethos of blending artistry with engineering excellence. It is responsible for a number of historic achievements, including producing the most successful race car of all time, the first production vehicle that could break through the 300 mph barrier, and the most expensive car in history.

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