Bugatti built its brand on the foundation of luxury and speed. The company has only added to this by setting multiple records, the latest of which highlights a roofless car.
According to a press release, the W16 Mistral became the fastest roadster in the world after a trip to the ATP Automotive Testing facility in Papenburg, Germany. Andy Wallace, Bugatti’s official test driver, took over the 1,578-horsepower monster on Nov. 9 and hit a staggering 282 mph.
The test took place on the oval track at the ATP Automotive Testing Facility. Bugatti said that Wallace hit a specified speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) as he entered the banking. He then unleashed “the full power” as he headed onto the straight.
The quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16 engine then carried the Mistral and Wallace to the record-setting speed of 282 mph (453.91 km/h).
The Mistral is Bugatti’s sendoff of the quad-turbo W-16 engine, which it shares with the Chiron. The automaker produced 99 of these roofless supercars, each with a starting price off $5 million.
Another significant moment for Bugatti occurred at the test facility
This high-speed run was not the only potentially record-setting moment at the testing facility.
According to Bugatti, the car’s owner was on-site for the day. Once Wallace broke the record for a roofless car, the owner joined him for another lap. Bugatti said that they nearly reached the same speed while likely setting an unofficial record for the fastest-ever passenger ride.
“Throughout the testing program leading up to this moment, it was incredible to feel how stable the car felt – I got the sense that it wanted to go faster,” Wallace said in a statement.
“And when it came to the moment itself, the experience was overwhelmingly thrilling; feeling the elemental forces from the open-top cockpit, the sound of the immense W16 engine emanating from the air scoops next to my ear – it made the achievement incredibly emotional.
“A record like this pushes the boundaries of automotive innovation and requires immense focus, dedication, and teamwork to realize. It’s a true testament to the passion that everyone at Bugatti has for making history.”