Deep dive: Bugatti Tourbillon aerodynamics

The Bugatti Tourbillon’s standout feature is an 1,800-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain built around a high-revving V-16, but Bugatti didn’t forget about the aerodynamic work needed to make use of the immense power on tap.

The goal was to surpass the Bugatti Chiron in slipperiness, Paul Burnham, chief engineer for the Tourbillon, said in a video posted on Bugattis’ YouTube channel Thursday. Lower aerodynamic drag will be necessary to match—or perhaps surpass—the top speed that defined the Chiron and its predecessor, the Veyron.

A major change compared to the Chiron is the Tourbillon’s smaller greenhouse, which reduces the new car’s frontal area. But much of the development work focused on smaller details in order to optimize airflow across all surfaces.

Aerodynamic development work started with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, before moving to wind-tunnel testing. That process, which began about 15 months before the Tourbillon’s June 2024 unveiling, started with a half-scale model made from over 250 3D-printed components, and studded with over 100 pressure taps to measure airflow.

Engineers moved up to full-scale prototypes in early 2024. By that time much of the development work had already been done with computer simulations and small-scale tests; putting a full-scale car in the wind tunnel mainly served to validate that work, Burnham said in the video.

The aerodynamic bodywork is draped over a new chassis that shares nothing with the Veyron and Chiron platform. The clean-sheet opportunity allowed engineers to package the new naturally-aspirated 8.3-liter V-16, along with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and three electric motors. This setup replaces Bugatti’s long-serving quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16, and is expected to get the Tourbillon from 0-60 mph in just 2.0 seconds.

The design, meanwhile, aims for timelessness by eschewing flashy trends. Instead of a digital screen, for example, it features an intricate mechanical gauge cluster for the driver, something designers hope will remain appealing well into the future.

Production of the Tourbillon is scheduled to start in 2026. Just 250 examples—all of which are spoken for—are planned.

Prices start at about $4 million.