Bugatti has crafted an entirely new chassis for the Tourbillon hypercar. Due to evolving regulations and the introduction of a new hybrid drivetrain, the French automaker couldn’t reuse the platform that supported both the Veyron and Chiron.
The results are stunning, as showcased in the newly released photos and videos from Bugatti. Calling the engineering challenges for the Tourbillon substantial would be an understatement.
The goal was to create a car not significantly larger than the Chiron, while accommodating a V-16 engine paired with an electric motor and dual-clutch transmission, a twin-motor front axle, and batteries to power the system.
The V-16 is longer than Bugatti’s older W-16 engine, and the additional electric components require a considerable amount of space.
To manage the packaging, Bugatti positioned the V-16 closer to the rear bulkhead, with fuel tanks on either side. The batteries are arranged in a “T” shape behind the seats and within the central tunnel.
The seats are moved closer together and are fixed in place to minimize frontal area, while the pedals and steering wheel are moved back toward the driver.
The front electric motor is tucked just behind the small luggage compartment. Despite all these adjustments, the Tourbillon’s wheelbase is only slightly longer than the Chiron’s by just over an inch, and its roofline is even lower.
One key innovation in controlling the car’s size is a carbon-fiber diffuser that doubles as a rear crash structure, removing the need for a separate rear beam.
Other fascinating features include the Tourbillon’s eight radiators and its “skeletonized” 3D-printed wishbones from Divergent, the company behind the Czinger 21C.
There are countless incredible details in the Tourbillon, making it just as impressive as every other aspect of the hypercar.