When a car costs more than most people will make in a lifetime, it had better come with some flair — and yes, that includes the way the doors open. For years, Bugatti’s hypercars have dominated speed records and luxury conversations, but they’ve lacked that one dramatic flourish: the right kind of entrance. That changes now.
The Tourbillon Opens a New Chapter
On June 20, Bugatti revealed its most ambitious creation to date — the Tourbillon. It’s the first fresh platform from the marque since its merger with electric supercar maker Rimac in 2021, and the name says everything. Inspired by the precision and elegance of haute horology, the Tourbillon is less a car and more a kinetic sculpture capable of 250 mph.
Yes, It Has “Billionaire Doors”
Gone are the pedestrian swing-out doors of the Chiron and Veyron. In their place: dihedral doors that lift outward and upward like the wings of a mechanical falcon. They’re flashy, impractical in tight parking garages, and completely appropriate for a $4.6 million car. Silicon Valley’s fictional Russ Hanneman would undoubtedly approve — these are true billionaire doors.
A Powertrain That Defies Logic
While the design evolution is eye-catching, what’s under the hood (and scattered across all four wheels) is downright brain-melting. For the Tourbillon, Bugatti has left behind the Chiron’s quad-turbo W-16 and opted for something even more outrageous: a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V-16 engine paired with three electric motors.
The Numbers Tell the Story
- Engine: 8.3-liter V-16, naturally aspirated
- Electric Motors: Three in total — two up front, one at the rear
- Total Output: 1,775 horsepower
- 0 to 60 mph: 2.0 seconds
- Top Speed: 250 mph (reached in about 25 seconds)
For reference, the Porsche 911 GT3 — no slouch by any measure — has 502 horsepower. Bugatti’s new beast has more than triple that.
Craftsmanship Worthy of Swiss Timepieces
Where the Chiron embraced a clean, modern luxury, the Tourbillon veers analog, thanks in part to its most distinctive interior feature: a gauge cluster built by a Swiss watchmaker. The name “Tourbillon” itself nods to high-end horology — the rotating escapement found in elite mechanical watches — and this influence runs deep in the vehicle’s DNA.
The Dashboard as Mechanical Art
Instead of a screen, the driver gets raised numerals, polished needles, and a dial housed beneath scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It doesn’t just mimic a luxury timepiece — it is one. This handcrafted instrument panel reminds drivers that sometimes, beauty lies in moving parts, not pixels.
Form Follows Frictionless Function
The Tourbillon’s shape honors Bugatti’s lineage while refining it further. The car is lower, wider, and leaner than the Chiron, and its cockpit has been pulled tighter to the driver, creating a more visceral, almost vintage-style experience despite the bleeding-edge tech.
Every Component Is New
According to Bugatti, there isn’t a single part shared between the Tourbillon and the Chiron. This is a ground-up reimagination — not a refresh, not a sequel. With only 250 units planned, it’s as rare as it is radical, and the first deliveries are expected by summer of next year.
Final Thoughts: Drama Meets Precision
The Bugatti Tourbillon isn’t just a hypercar — it’s an idea realized at speed. A hybrid of uncompromising performance and meticulous artistry, it redefines what a multimillion-dollar car should offer. Yes, it’s fast. Yes, it’s beautiful. But most of all, it finally gives its driver the satisfaction of making an entrance that matches the machine.
