THE END OF AN ERA: BUGATTI BUILDS ITS FINAL W16 SUPERCAR
2026-10-29By Elise Hartley
- After more than two decades of record-breaking performance, Bugatti has reached a historic turning point
- The final Mistral is more than just another multimillion-dollar hypercar, featuring details that make it truly one of a kind
- As one legendary engine bows out, an entirely new chapter in Bugatti's history is about to begin
After 21 years of dominating the hypercar world, Bugatti has officially brought production of its legendary W16-powered road cars to an end. The 99th and final Bugatti W16 Mistral has rolled out of the company's Molsheim factory in France, closing one of the most extraordinary chapters in automotive history.
Finished in a stunning two-tone combination of 'Pearl' and 'Sparkle', the final Mistral is a fitting farewell to an engine that helped redefine what a road car could achieve.
PURE ENGINEERING Beneath its sculpted bodywork sits Bugatti's legendary 8.0L quad-turbocharged W16 engine, producing a staggering 1,578 hp and 1,600 Nm of torque. Power is delivered to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving the open-top hypercar extraordinary performance.
The Mistral can accelerate from 0–62mph (0–100km/h) in just 2.4 seconds and reach 124mph (200km/h) in 5.6 seconds. Its standard electronically limited top speed is 261 mph (420 km/h). However, Bugatti took things even further in November 2024, when a specially prepared Mistral World Record Car reached an astonishing 282mph (453.91km/h), setting a world speed record for an open-top production car.
With an original price of around $5 million and just 99 examples produced, the Mistral is one of Bugatti's most exclusive modern creations.
FINAL FAREWELL The final Mistral is no ordinary hypercar. Its bespoke interior combines Magnolia leather with Grey Carbon Matt, while Ettore Bugatti's signature appears throughout the cabin, paying tribute to the man who founded the marque in 1909.
Perhaps its most distinctive feature is the falcon-head sculpture sitting atop the gear selector, replacing Bugatti's traditional dancing elephant. A crystal-glass 'Spirit of the Wind' plaque, created with Lalique, adds another touch of exclusivity.
AUTMOTIVE GREATNESS The W16 story began in 2005 with the Veyron, a car that shocked the automotive world with its immense power and ability to exceed 250 mph (402 km/h). The Chiron pushed the boundaries even further, with the Chiron Super Sport 300+ famously breaking the 300 mph barrier in 2019.
The W16 made appearances in six key Bugatti models: the Veyron, Chiron, Centodieci, Mistral, Bolide, and Divo, with numerous one-offs - like the Destrier - featuring this iconic engine too. Now, with all 99 Mistrals completed, the W16's remarkable production journey is officially over.
A NEW AGE The W16 may have reached the end of the road, but Bugatti certainly hasn't.
Its successor, the Tourbillon, introduces an entirely new 8.3L naturally aspirated V16 engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 1,800 hp. It represents a dramatic technological shift for the French manufacturer, combining traditional combustion engineering with hybrid performance.
The final Mistral is therefore more than the end of a production run. It marks the conclusion of an era defined by outrageous engineering, extraordinary speed and the unmistakable character of sixteen cylinders working together.
The W16 era is dead, but its legacy will live on forever.
