When Jan Schmid and his team of exterior designers set out to shape the Tourbillon, they faced a challenge that defines the marque: how do you honor more than 115 years of automotive artistry while propelling the brand into a new age? For Schmid, Bugatti’s Chief Exterior Designer, the answer lay in finding that sweet spot of what a Bugatti is and what a Bugatti can be in the future. The Bugatti Tourbillon design is a careful evolution.
Iconic Elements Reimagined for the Tourbillon
The result is a hypercar carrying forward Bugatti’s famed design language yet reimagined with precision and purpose. This latest chapter reveals how heritage and innovation converge in every surface. Every angle of the Tourbillon tells a compelling story. The iconic horseshoe grille, lower and wider than on any Bugatti before it, anchors a face appearing to be lunging forward. This is not simply sculptural, however.
Schmid and his team shaped every millimeter with intent. They even ensured an EU number plate fits seamlessly within the horseshoe’s curves while maintaining crucial aerodynamic and structural integrity. It is about making a Bugatti recognizable from every angle. This is achieved by incorporating the core design DNA elements the brand is known for across the globe.
The Centerline and the Signature Bugatti Line
The horseshoe is joined by the fuselage accentuation and the centerline. This feature traces its lineage to the riveted spine of the Type 57 SC Atlantic. On the Tourbillon, this centerline flows from nose to tail, culminating in the third brake light. That essential light is integrated into the spine itself. Furthermore, the distinctive Bugatti Line sweeps from the A-pillar around the greenhouse. It then flows toward its precise return at the front of the car.
That defining curve creates an impression of leaping forward. It accentuates and supports the car’s side profile, where every surface seems charged with motion. Along the line’s path, it also defines the division for Bugatti’s iconic duotone color split. This is a signature element tracing back to the brand’s earliest creations. The Tourbillon’s side profile is a bold statement of form.
Sculpting Function: The Coke Bottle Curvature
The pronounced “Coke bottle” curvature sweeps inward before flaring over the rear haunches. This gives the car a sense of visual drama. This sculptural treatment celebrates perfect proportion. It offers a unique interplay between visual lightness and structural strength. Despite sharing nearly the same footprint as the Chiron, the Tourbillon is ingeniously packaged. It accommodates more luggage space, an electric front axle, and intricate aerodynamic ducting.
Crucially, it accomplishes all this while sitting lower to the ground. The secret lies in the seamless collaboration between the design and engineering teams. This partnership transformed pure function into striking sculpture. The compact yet unmistakable headlights exemplify this philosophy of dual purpose. They attach to what Bugatti calls the ‘flying fender.’
Aerodynamics and the Flying Fender
Visually, the flying fender accentuates the fuselage’s forward thrust. Functionally, it channels air beneath the fender and out the top. This action efficiently feeds the side radiators and air intakes. The side view reveals a dynamic interplay. There is the precisely drawn front fender, with its long crease line. This line flows all the way toward the side intake. It contrasts with the muscular, sculpted rear fender.
At the rear, the Tourbillon’s fender flows seamlessly into the deck. An active rear wing deploys only when it is needed for performance. Below the wing, the open engine bay showcases the towering plenum of the naturally aspirated V16. More than 124 individual LED elements form a single monobloc tail light. It traces the rear’s contour from edge to edge. The Bugatti script illuminates beautifully at its center.
Power and Unmistakable Stance
Beneath the tail light, air outlets draw hot air efficiently from the side-mounted radiators. The exposed rear wheels and high-mounted diffuser channel create a lightweight, planted appearance. This design accelerates air rearward with exceptional efficiency. Everything is playing hand in hand. The new package and the design showcase the capabilities of what the Tourbillon can truly do. The new era begins with formidable power.
The Tourbillon is powered by a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine. This spectacular engine is augmented by a sophisticated hybrid system. The combined output is a staggering 1,800 horsepower. This power is channeled through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car can launch from zero to 62 mph in just two seconds. The design ensures optimal downforce and cooling for this immense performance.
A Testament to Enduring Philosophy
When asked to choose his favorite element, Schmid points toward the way the rear fender is shaped. It is, in fact, inspired by the proportion of the rear fender of the Veyron. He is particularly happy about how it turned out. It gives real strength and muscle to the car, enhancing the overall stance and proportion. The Tourbillon stands as proof of the marque’s enduring philosophy. It creates beauty through the symbiotic interplay of strong graphic DNA elements. These elements interact seamlessly with expansive, sculptural surfaces. The result is a form that is unmistakably Bugatti for a new generation.
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Source: Bugatti
