Bugatti boss provides first taste of Tourbillon’s V-16 howl

• Recent video shows a prototype of the Bugatti Tourbillon hybrid hypercar
• The video provides a transparent taste of the Tourbillon’s newly developed 8.3-liter V-16 engine
• The Tourbillon enters production in 2026 and carries a starting price of about $4 million

Bugatti surprised many last yr when, as an alternative of unveiling an electrical successor to its Chiron hypercar, it introduced the gasoline-electric Tourbillon. But perhaps probably the most surprising aspect was the alternative of the Tourbillon’s hybrid system’s internal combustion engine—a newly developed V-16.

Until now, there was little or no footage of prototypes, leaving enthusiasts wondering what the V-16 will sound like. While V-16-powered cars have existed before—most recently the Cizeta V16T supercar of the Nineteen Nineties—the distinctive sound of a V-16 stays somewhat of a mystery.

That mystery is now beginning to unravel. Mate Rimac, the pinnacle of the Bugatti Rimac partnership, recently took to social media to share a video of a Tourbillon prototype, giving us a transparent taste of the brand new engine’s howl—and it’s brutal. The prototype is believed to be running exclusively on its gasoline engine, providing a glimpse of its raw performance even without the help of electrification.

Power within the Tourbillon comes from a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V-16 engine paired with three electric motors—two on the front and one on the rear. The V-16 alone produces roughly 986 hp, while the electrical motors contribute a further 790 hp, bringing the total system output to 1,776 hp.

The V-16 was developed by Cosworth, the legendary ex-Formula 1 power unit builder accountable for a number of the most iconic engines in history, including the V-12s that power Aston Martin’s Valkyrie and GMA’s T.50 and T.33.

Working in tandem with the electrical motors, Bugatti estimates the Tourbillon will speed up from 0-62 mph in 2.0 seconds, 0-124 mph in lower than 5.0 seconds, 0-186 mph in under 10.0 seconds, and 0-248 mph in under 25.0 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 276 mph, but Bugatti has hinted that at the very least one version of the Tourbillon might surpass 500 kph (310.7 mph).

Production of the Tourbillon is ready to start in 2026, with only 250 units planned. Pricing starts at roughly $4 million.