Last-ever Bugatti Bolide signals end of W16 era
Bye bye Bolide, auf wiedersehen W16 - Bugatti brings down the curtain on an icon of the combustion age
These days, when production of a much-loved combustion engine comes to an end, there’s a great deal of sadness because nothing like it will happen again. But Bugatti doesn’t play by normal rules; while its 8.0-litre W16 is no longer being made - and this Bolide is the very last vehicle to receive it - don’t forget it’s being replaced by another 16-cylinder engine in the Tourbillon. Old habits die hard in Molsheim, seemingly. As the engine that formed the bedrock of modern Bugatti, though, all the way back to the first Veyrons 20 years ago, the W16 had undoubtedly earned itself a proper send-off. The fortieth and final Bolide certainly looks like being that.
It has been commissioned by what Bugatti calls ‘a dedicated collector and longstanding friend of the marque’. Their collection not only includes a Type 35, but also the very last Veyron Grand Sport. The spec of the latter is inspired by that of the former so, of course, the Bolide completes the trio with an identical colourway. What a sight all three of those together would make.
Specifically, this Bolide features Black Blue and Special Blue Lyonnais outside, with Lake Blue Alcantara and Light Blue Sport stitching. There are French tricolours on each flank, of course. It’s said that the spec ‘speaks to both an individual passion for motorsport and Bugatti’s racing heritage.’
As a reminder, the Bolide was intended as the ultimate expression of the W16 engine, a Chiron taken from mega hypercar to the track car of a billionaire’s wet dream. The stats were astonishing, and still are, thanks to hundreds of kilos saved over a Chiron (1,450kg dry) , monster downforce and Michelin slicks. 0-124mph takes just 5.4 seconds (and 180m), while 0-186mph in a 1,600hp Bolide is dispatched in just 11.5 seconds. And from there it just gets sillier and sillier: 2.5g laterally, 236mph flat out, and 0-186mph-0 in 17.5 seconds. Safe to say whatever Bugatti’s customers have driven prior to the Bolide, be it a Ferrari XX car or even actual competition, this experience is going to be phenomenal.
Christophe Piochon, Bugatti’s President, added of the Bolide: “We set out to create a car that can perform on the racetrack yet also belongs in the world’s finest collections. That’s why we devoted extraordinary attention to every detail of execution, from the paintwork to the interior, so that owning a Bolide reflects the same level of craftsmanship as every other Bugatti in your collection… Motorsport typically prioritises parts that can be changed quickly, yet a Bugatti is created to stand the test of time. Upholding that philosophy while delivering extreme performance required absolute dedication from everyone involved.”
And about four million euros each, for those lucky enough to be chosen. Still, some send off for a remarkable engine. Wonder what a V16-powered equivalent might be like…
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- Bugatti W16 Mistral sets new open-top speed record
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