Bugatti Mistral is the world’s fastest roofless car
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In a record-breaking feat, the Bugatti Mistral has set a new standard for speed, reaching 282 mph to become the fastest roofless car in the world. This historic run took place on November 9 at the ATP Automotive Testing Facility in Papenburg, Germany, where Bugatti’s official test driver, Andy Wallace, piloted the Mistral to this remarkable top speed.
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The Mistral is essentially a modified Bugatti Chiron, sporting the same powerhouse 1578-horsepower quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 engine. While it shares many features with the Chiron, the Mistral introduces a reimagined design, featuring a roofless body with distinct styling cues, making it as striking in appearance as it is in performance.
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The record attempt took place at the 7.64-mile oval track of ATP in northern Germany. Wallace entered the track’s banked curve at a pre-determined speed of 124 mph before accelerating to unleash the Mistral’s formidable power on the straightaway. Known for his previous closed-car top-speed record of 304.7 mph in the Chiron Super Sport 300+ in 2019, Wallace’s skill and experience were essential in securing this open-top speed record.
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An additional, immensely cool detail, the Mistral’s record-breaking run was witnessed by its owner, who also had the rare privilege of experiencing a high-speed passenger ride with Wallace after the official attempt. Bugatti suspects this may be the fastest passenger ride in history.
Bugatti’s 8.0-liter quad-turbo W-16 engine has powered numerous world-record-breaking cars, and the Mistral’s achievement adds yet another accolade. This momentous speed record also marks the end of an era for Bugatti, as the company is retiring the W-16 with the Mistral’s 99-unit production run. Each Mistral model sold for a starting price of $5 million, reflecting its rarity and the brand’s celebrated engineering prowess.
Though based on the Chiron, the Mistral showcases several design changes that set it apart. The front end is redesigned, boasting a more aggressive stance and refined aerodynamics. It draws inspiration from past Bugatti models, with vertical headlights reminiscent of the one-off La Voiture Noire and an X-bar rear light taken from the Bolide. Smaller C-shaped intakes on the sides feed air to the engine through twin ram air intakes located just behind the seats, optimizing airflow and cooling.
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The Mistral’s debut in 2022 was accompanied by Bugatti’s confident goal of beating the previous 254-mph open-top speed record set by the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse in 2013. That goal has now been achieved, and the Mistral has secured its place in the annals of automotive history.
Bugatti’s previous record-breaking runs were typically conducted at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien track, but since Bugatti’s transition to a joint venture with Rimac, access to the Ehra-Lessien facility has been limited. Instead, the Mistral’s record attempt took place at Papenburg’s ATP track, which features 4-kilometer straightaways — only half the length of those at Ehra-Lessien. This required Wallace to carry significant speed off the banked curves to ensure he reached the 282 mph target.
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Bugatti marked this milestone by creating a one-of-one Mistral “World Record Edition,” a carbon-fiber car with an orange accent scheme. Commissioned by the owner, who also possesses other Bugatti models like the Veyron Super Sport and Chiron 300+, this unique Mistral further enhances his collection of Bugatti record-setters.
This remarkable feat serves as a fitting send-off for an engine that has powered some of the most remarkable road cars in recent history. Rest in peace, almighty W16.
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