2023 Bugatti Mistral

Bugatti’s stunning Mistral is an open-topped farewell to the 8,0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine that’s thrilled in the mighty Chiron. Named after a wind blowing from the Rhône River Valley, the Mistral draws inspiration from both classics such as the Type 57 Grand Raid roadster and, more recently, the track-only Bolide with its X motif for the taillamps.

Inside, the Mistral’s cabin is awash with leather (the door cards are woven from hide in a Bugatti first) and the gearshifter features an amber insert depicting the “dancing elephant” from the Type 41 Royale roadster’s hood ornament. At the heart of the Mistral is the 1 170 kW engine from the Chiron Super Sport 300+ that hit 490,484 km/h in 2019. Bugatti hasn’t quoted any concrete performance figures, but has stated “there can only be one goal in mind: to become the fastest roadster in the world once more” – a feat that would require it besting the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse’s 408,84 km/h posting back in 2013.

THE INSPIRATIONS

1935 Bugatti Type 57 Grand Raid roadster

2020 Bugatti Bolide Concept