Records are sacred in the hypercar world and quite competitive, while Bugatti’s latest achievement ensures its place in history once more. Bugatti had once claimed it was done pursuing speed records, but the new Mistral has proven that statement to be premature. With a staggering top speed of 282 mph, the Bugatti Mistral is now officially the fastest open-top production car ever made. Notably, it exceeded Bugatti’s original performance estimates by a full 21 mph, solidifying the brand’s reputation for both precision and surprise in the performance realm.

A Farewell to the Legendary W-16 Engine

The Mistral represents Bugatti’s swan song for its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 engine. Known for powering some of the most iconic hypercars in history, this engine’s farewell is one for the record books. Bugatti initially claimed that the Mistral would hit 261 mph, a number already surpassing the previous open-top record of 254.04 mph, achieved by the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse in 2013. However, in a dramatic turn, Bugatti pushed the Mistral beyond expectations, reaching 282 mph on the high-speed track in Papenburg, Germany, with Bugatti test driver and Le Mans winner Andy Wallace behind the wheel.

Bugatti has designed the Mistral as an open-top adaptation of the Chiron, and it has exceeded performance expectations while honoring the brand’s signature styling. With only 99 units planned for production, the Mistral already occupies a highly exclusive space. Its Jet Orange accents pay homage to previous record-breaking Bugatti models, including the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport and the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse. The color scheme reflects Bugatti’s legacy and commemorates its other record-breaking models that have earned their own place in the supercar pantheon.

Notably, the Mistral is built as a one-off “Record Car” with no intention to repeat this specific configuration, further elevating its exclusivity. The proud owner of this record-setting Mistral already boasts ownership of three other Bugatti record-breaking cars, creating a collection that pays tribute to Bugatti’s ongoing pursuit of excellence.

Dethroning the Competition

With this achievement, Bugatti Mistral dethroned the previous open-top record-holder, the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, which achieved a top speed of 265.6 mph in 2016. Interestingly, Hennessey claims that its Venom F5 Roadster has the potential to reach the 300-mph mark, but until it’s proven on the track, Bugatti’s Mistral will reign as the undisputed king of open-top speed. Likewise, the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is anticipated to make an attempt at the title, but that run also remains pending.

The Role of Rimac Group in Bugatti’s Recent Record Run

As part of the Bugatti Rimac joint venture, the Mistral’s record-setting event was conducted at the Papenburg facility instead of Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien track due to the unique ownership structure of the Bugatti Rimac partnership. Currently, the Rimac Group holds a 55% stake in Bugatti Rimac, with Porsche owning the remaining 45%. This partnership has sparked an exciting era of engineering and innovation between Bugatti and Rimac, bringing together expertise in both internal combustion and electric powertrains.

As Bugatti closes the curtain on the W-16 engine with the record-shattering Mistral, the brand looks ahead to new technological frontiers. With Rimac’s influence, it’s likely that Bugatti will focus on pioneering high-performance electric and hybrid hypercars. The Mistral’s record-breaking moment serves as a fitting tribute to Bugatti’s legacy of combustion-engine engineering, leaving behind an unforgettable milestone in hypercar history.