Bugatti W16 Mistral Reaches 453.91 kmph; Breaks Top Speed Record For Open Top Car

Bugatti is a brand synonymous with top speed records and it has broken another record with the W16 Mistral. Its one-of-one W16 Mistral ‘World Record Car’ achieved a top speed for an open-top car, reaching 453.91 kmph. 

The W16 Mistral was driven by 61-year-old British racing driver, Andy Wallace. Wallace also piloted the Chiron Super Sport 300+ which reached a top speed of 490.48 kmph in 2019. Bugatti’s journey of breaching the 400 kmph mark started with the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport in 2010 when it reached 431.07 kmph. This is the second top speed record for an open-top car for Bugatti, with the first record coming with the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse (408.84 kmph). Both these cars achieved their respective top speeds with the roof down. 

On achieving this new top speed record, Wallace said, “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. 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 realise. It’s a true testament to the passion that everyone at Bugatti has for making history.”

For the first time, the owner of the World Record Car was present at the record-breaking event. Bugatti said the new W16 Mistral World Record Car is owned by The Singh Collection, who also owns the other three record-breaking Bugattis – Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and Chiron Super Sport 300+. Singh was also given the opportunity to ride with Wallance and the car achieved almost the same top speed as the record, which Bugatti said set an unofficial record for the fastest-ever passenger ride. 

The W16 Mistral World Record Car is finished in the same Black Carbon and Jet Orange two-tone paint as the other three record cars. Like the Veyron, the W16 Mistral’s Orange is only on the lower portion of the car and the wheels. Even the interior is finished in the same Black and Orange theme as the exterior. The Mistral is powered by an 8.0-litre, quad-turbo, W16 engine, churning out an impressive 1578 bhp.  

Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, said, “Since the inception of Bugatti in 1909, the marque has sought to supersede the perceived realms of possibility in luxury, elegance, and performance. The Bugatti World Record Cars throughout the marque’s history have represented the epitome of speed and power, setting new boundaries and redefining again and again, what Bugatti vehicles are capable of. We are immensely proud of the whole team that made this incredible achievement possible – an achievement defined by passion and the pursuit of perfection.”