Bugatti boss provides first taste of Tourbillon’s V-16 howl

• New video shows a prototype of the Bugatti Tourbillon hybrid hypercar
• The video provides a clear taste of the Tourbillon’s newly developed 8.3-liter V-16 engine
• The Tourbillon enters production in 2026 and carries a starting price of about $4 million

Bugatti surprised many last year when, instead of revealing an electric successor to its Chiron hypercar, it introduced the gasoline-electric Tourbillon. But perhaps the most surprising aspect was the choice of the Tourbillon’s hybrid system’s internal combustion engine—a newly developed V-16.

Until now, there has been very little footage of prototypes, leaving enthusiasts wondering what the V-16 will sound like. While V-16-powered cars have existed before—most recently the Cizeta V16T supercar of the 1990s—the distinctive sound of a V-16 remains somewhat of a mystery.

That mystery is now starting to unravel. Mate Rimac, the head of the Bugatti Rimac partnership, recently took to social media to share a video of a Tourbillon prototype, giving us a clear taste of the new engine’s howl—and it’s brutal. The prototype is believed to be running exclusively on its gasoline engine, providing a glimpse of its raw performance even without the aid of electrification.

Power in the Tourbillon comes from a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V-16 engine paired with three electric motors—two at the front and one at the rear. The V-16 alone produces approximately 986 hp, while the electric motors contribute an additional 790 hp, bringing the total system output to 1,776 hp.

The V-16 was developed by Cosworth, the legendary ex-Formula 1 power unit builder responsible for some of the most iconic engines in history, including the V-12s that power Aston Martin’s Valkyrie and GMA’s T.50 and T.33.

Working in tandem with the electric motors, Bugatti estimates the Tourbillon will accelerate from 0-62 mph in 2.0 seconds, 0-124 mph in less than 5.0 seconds, 0-186 mph in under 10.0 seconds, and 0-248 mph in under 25.0 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 276 mph, but Bugatti has hinted that at least one version of the Tourbillon might surpass 500 kph (310.7 mph).

Production of the Tourbillon is set to begin in 2026, with only 250 units planned. Prices start at approximately $4 million.