Bugatti, the French luxury marque renowned for pushing automotive boundaries, has once again etched its name into the annals of speed history. On November 9th, at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH track in Germany, a Bugatti Car, the W16 Mistral, achieved a new world record for the fastest open-top production car, reaching an astonishing speed of 453.91 km/h (282.04 mph). This feat continues Bugatti’s legacy of record-breaking achievements, a story that began over a decade ago.
The pursuit of speed is deeply ingrained in Bugatti’s DNA. In June 2010, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport marked the start of this modern era of record attempts, clocking in at 431.07 km/h and setting a new benchmark. This was followed in 2019 by the Chiron Super Sport 300+, which shattered the closed-cockpit world record with a speed of 490.48 km/h. However, Bugatti’s ambition wasn’t confined to closed-roof vehicles. The company turned its attention to open-top cars, aiming to surpass the record set by their own Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse in 2013, which achieved 408.84 km/h with the roof down.
The journey to this latest record was a meticulous process, involving months of preparation and rigorous testing. The location, Papenburg, Germany, is known for its world-class automotive testing facilities, making it the ideal venue for such a high-speed endeavor. The atmosphere on November 9th was charged with anticipation. Dignitaries, Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, senior management, and the dedicated project team were all present to witness history in the making. As Bugatti Pilote Officiel Andy Wallace, a Le Mans 24 Hours winner, took the helm of the one-off W16 Mistral World Record Car, the emotion was palpable.
Wallace began with a warm-up lap, gradually increasing speed to 200 km/h before entering the track’s banking. As he emerged from the banking onto the straight, he unleashed the full power of the Bugatti car. The W16 engine roared, pushing the Mistral to unprecedented speeds. SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH, overseeing the record attempt, officially confirmed the new world record for an open-top car at 453.91 km/h.
“Throughout the testing program leading up to this moment, it was incredible to feel how stable the car felt – I got the sense that it wanted to go faster,” Andy Wallace recounted. “And when it came to the moment itself, the experience was overwhelmingly thrilling; feeling the elemental forces from the open-top cockpit, the sound of the immense W16 engine emanating from the air scoops next to my ear – it made the achievement incredibly emotional. A record like this pushes the boundaries of automotive innovation, and requires immense focus, dedication, and teamwork to realize. It’s a true testament to the passion that everyone at Bugatti has for making history.”
Adding another layer of significance to the event, the customer of this unique Bugatti car was present to witness the record attempt firsthand. This marked a first in Bugatti’s history, demonstrating the exclusive and deeply personal relationship the brand cultivates with its clientele. As a testament to this exceptional occasion, the customer was given the extraordinary opportunity to experience a high-speed run with Andy Wallace himself, reaching near-record speeds and potentially setting an unofficial record for the fastest passenger ride.
This particular Bugatti car, the W16 Mistral World Record Car, is not just a symbol of speed but also part of a larger vision for its owner, who aims to assemble a collection of all Bugatti World Record Cars. This collection, known as The Singh Collection, already includes the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, and the Chiron Super Sport 300+. It represents a unique tribute to Bugatti’s legacy and the aspirational achievements of the community from Punjab, India, from where the collector originates.
The W16 Mistral World Record Car, priced at €14 million, is visually distinguished by vibrant ‘Jet Orange’ accents on its lower body and wheels, a color evolution from the original Veyron record cars, also seen on the record-breaking Chiron. This striking color, combined with a visible-black carbon exterior, is carried into the interior, creating a cohesive and record-breaking aura throughout the Bugatti car.
Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, reflected on this momentous achievement:
“Since the inception of Bugatti in 1909, the marque has sought to supersede the perceived realms of possibility in luxury, elegance, and performance. The Bugatti World Record Cars throughout the marque’s history have represented the epitome of speed and power, setting new boundaries and redefining again and again, what Bugatti vehicles are capable of. And now, with the unparalleled achievement of the W16 Mistral World Record Car etched into the history books, we see history not just repeating itself, but new history made. We are immensely proud of the whole team that made this incredible achievement possible – an achievement defined by passion and the pursuit of perfection. That is what defines Bugatti – and what makes its achievements truly incomparable.”
This latest world record solidifies Bugatti’s position as a leader in automotive innovation and high-performance engineering. The Bugatti car W16 Mistral stands as a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and creating automotive masterpieces that redefine what is possible.
