Bugatti’s legendary W-16 engine has been in production since 2005, where it debuted in the Veyron 16.4. It’s been a staple of the company’s lineup since, powering every model from the brand in various forms.
While the open-top Mistral is technically the final production car to use the W-16, it’s not the last car to use the quad-turbo motor. In fact, the one-off Brouillard—revealed on Thursday—might not be the last Bugatti to use the W-16.
Alongside the Brouillard’s debut, Bugatti revealed its Programme Solitaire, an ultra-exclusive service for VIPs, allowing customers to order true one-of-one models from the French supercar maker. But as of now, those cars won’t be entirely new.
Photo by: Bugatti
“Bugatti will create up to two Solitaire cars per year, and commissions will use existing Bugatti powertrains and chassis, which includes the W-16,” a spokesperson told Motor1.
The wording here is a bit coy, as the only “existing” powertrain in Bugatti’s lineup right now is the W-16. The naturally aspirated V-16 set to appear in the Tourbillon won’t enter production until next year. So if Bugatti plans to build two one-offs per year, there should theoretically be at least one more W-16-powered car on the way (the Brouillard being the first of the two).
More importantly, Bugatti told us it was “unknown” whether the Brouillard would be the final W-16-powered car, seeing as the second one-off likely hasn’t been conceptualized yet. So while this beautiful green machine is the latest Bugatti to use the W-16, it’s unlikely to be the last.
Long live the W-16.
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