With the completion of the last W16 Mistral model at the Molsheim plant, car manufacturer Bugatti has officially ended production of its convertible. This final example also marks the end of the 16-cylinder engine for road use.
The latest Mistral is produced in a two-tone color combination of Pearl and Sparkle. A plaque inside the vehicle and in the vehicle concept notes the model as the last of its kind, marking the end of an era for this engine concept.
Production of this model will end at Bugatti shortly after the opening of a new production hall called La Manufacture in Molsheim. In the future, this expanded production capacity will be used to produce a new model series called Tourbillon, which will mark the technological transition to the next generation of vehicles from the brand. This will close the historical chapter of the W16 engine, which has so far been installed in the Veyron and Chiron series and in various special versions.
Bugatti W16 Mistral "The last of its kind"
The W16 Mistral was first presented to the public at Monterey Car Week in 2022. It was followed by presentations around the world, including in Singapore, Riyadh and Dubai. Before the official start of series production, the vehicle reached a documented top speed of 453,91 kilometers per hour at the Papenburg test site in Lower Saxony in November 2024 with official test driver Andy Wallace. This value earned the model the title of the fastest production convertible registered for use on public roads. Regular deliveries to customers are scheduled to begin in early 2025.
During production, a number of unique products were created as part of the Sur Mesure individualization program in collaboration between the Molsheim and Berlin locations and individual customers. A prominent example of this collaboration is the unique “Blanc Éternel” car, which was presented at the beginning of the month and whose design was designed in collaboration with the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Berlin using special design elements. In July 2026, the record-breaking car was officially handed over to its new owner at the Formula 1 race in Silverstone.
Bugatti W16 Mistral "Blanc Éternel"
The design concept of the roadster is historically inspired by the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid. The interior of the last, now completed, vehicle in the series combines the color combinations Magnolia and Grey Carbon Matt. At the customer's request, special details were installed that establish a connection with the company's founder Ettore Bugatti. His signature is embedded in the headrests, placed on the aluminum door sills and printed on the engine hood.
In addition, the center console features a plaque titled “Spirit of the Wind,” created in collaboration with crystal glass manufacturer Lalique. Instead of the traditional elephant sculpture, the gearshift knob was decorated with a falcon’s head at the customer’s request, complemented by embroidered motifs on the door panels. In total, exactly 99 examples were produced from this special series, bringing the W16 era at Bugatti to an end after around two decades.
