PAPENBURG (Germany): Bugatti has set a new world speed record for open-top cars with its W16 Mistral, achieving an impressive 453.91kph.
This milestone was reached on Nov 9 at the ATP Automotive Testing track in Papenburg, Germany, with Andy Wallace, Bugatti's official test driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner, at the wheel.
The record was officially verified by SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH.
This achievement follows Bugatti’s history of record-setting vehicles, starting in 2010 with the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, which reached 431.07kph, and continuing in 2013 with the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, which hit 408.84kph with its roof down.
In 2019, Bugatti broke the closed-cockpit record with the Chiron Super Sport 300+, reaching 490.48kph. The W16 Mistral's recent record is a continuation of Bugatti’s tradition of engineering excellence and speed.
The record-breaking W16 Mistral is a unique, one-off vehicle featuring a W16 engine.
During the run, Wallace pushed the car to its limits, reaching the record speed on the track's long straight. He praised the car's stability and responsiveness, even at extreme speeds, and described the experience as both thrilling and emotional.
This achievement was not only a testament to Bugatti's engineering prowess but also a celebration for the car’s owner, who witnessed the record-setting run firsthand. In a special gesture, the customer was given the opportunity to ride alongside Wallace in a subsequent high-speed lap, nearly matching the top speed.
The W16 Mistral World Record Car is a unique addition to an exceptional private collection, known as The Singh Collection, which includes previous Bugatti world record models such as the Veyron Super Sport, Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, and Chiron Super Sport 300+.
The vehicle’s design features distinct "Jet Orange" accents and a visible-black carbon exterior, paying homage to its record-breaking predecessors.
Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac said the brand has a legacy of exceeding limits in luxury, elegance, and performance. He celebrated the W16 Mistral's accomplishment as a continuation of Bugatti’s tradition of setting new benchmarks in automotive history.
