This Is Bugattis Final W-16 Track Car

Bugatti is finishing the second-to-last chapter in the W-16’s story by ending Bolide production. Molsheim’s ultimate track car is officially gone, with the 40th and final vehicle completed and delivered to its owner, or more accurately, collected directly from the factory in northeastern France. The owner who spent €4 million on a car they cant drive on public roads is a Bugatti collector with a classic Type 35 in their garage, a hugely successful racing machine from almost a century ago. Its also worth noting that this wealthy individual owns a Veyron Grand Sport, which, like the Bolide, is the last of its kind. The Veyron and Bolide feature a Black Blue and Special Blue Lyonnais exterior paired with a Lake Blue interior covered in Alcantara. The effect is stunning, and we cant help but wonder if any of the 40 owners will opt for a street-legal conversion. In fact, British engineering company Lanzante recently announced that it is working to help a Bolide obtain a license plate. Remember how we said Bugatti is closing the second-to-last chapter in the W-16’s story? That’s because customer deliveries of the Mistral are still ongoing. The final model to feature the iconic engine, which debuted 20 years ago on the Veyron, is a roadster limited to 99 units. Deliveries of the fastest roofless car ever made started in February, and when production ends, the W-16 will be retired. In its place, Bugatti has developed an entirely new V-16 engine for the Chiron-replacing Tourbillon, with deliveries starting next year. The quad turbochargers are gone, as the new Cosworth-developed engine adopts a naturally aspirated configuration. It also has a larger displacement (8.4 liters compared to 8.0) and acts as the core of a hybrid system, because yes, even Bugatti has to comply with stricter emissions rules. Although a V-16 is coming, the trusty W-16 could still make headlines in the years to come. The new Programme Solitaire, focused on existing engines and chassis, will produce one-off projects like the Brouillard. In essence, Bugatti is following Pagani’s example by giving older cars a new lease on life with updated designs and modernized components. Who knows, the Veyron and Chiron might become the next Zonda, a car that refuses to die even though it first appeared in 1999.