Bugatti Introduces Naturally Aspirated V-16 Engine

Monster Engine: Almost 40 Inches Long

Bugatti is discontinuing its famous W-16 engine. However, there’s no need to be concerned because just 33 years after the lesser-known Cizeta-Moroder V16T, a fresh V-16 is on the horizon. The upcoming hypercar from Molsheim is set to launch in June featuring a powerful engine without forced induction. Additional information has surfaced about this sixteen-cylinder beast.

Mate Rimac, the CEO of Bugatti-Rimac, unveiled some initial information this week at the Future of the Car Summit in London. The 36-year-old Croatian engineer and business person disclosed that the upcoming V-16 model will not include turbocharging at all, marking a notable divergence from the Chiron, Veyron, and even the EB110 that came before them, all of which featured a quad-turbo configuration.

The creator and CEO of the Rimac Group, holding a 55 percent stake in Bugatti Rimac, announced that the upcoming V-16 engine will have an impressive length of 39.3 inches. This is almost 16 inches more than the current W-16 engine. The W-16 engine will be gradually replaced once production of the Mistral roadster and Bolide track-only model comes to an end. The newly designed engine will include hybrid technology.

Here is the information that has been officially confirmed, which means it’s time for some speculation. According to the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the V-16 engine boasts an immense 8.3-liter capacity and was created in collaboration with Cosworth. Its maximum revs are an astonishing 9,000 rpm, and it operates alongside three electric motors. Together, they could generate a total output of up to 1,800 horsepower. Individually, the combustion engine is rumored to produce approximately 1,000 hp.

It is speculated that two of the electric motors are responsible for powering the front wheels, with the third motor providing power to the rear axle. The third motor is rumored to be integrated into a dual-clutch, eight-speed automatic transmission. Taking into account the DCT, the combined length of the engine and gearbox assembly is said to be 78.7 inches. Rumors suggest that Bugatti’s engineers are fitting a 24.8-kWh battery, enabling an electric range of 37 miles.

AMS has reliable information indicating that the successor to the Bugatti Chiron will accelerate to 62 mph in approximately two seconds and reach 124 mph in under five seconds. It will take less than ten seconds to go from 0 to 186 mph, while accelerating from 0 to 249 mph could possibly be achieved in less than 25 seconds. The maximum speed is limited electronically to 277 mph.

If the information is correct, only 250 vehicles will be produced. To put it in perspective, the Veyron had a limit of 450 units, and the Chiron is currently under production with 500 examples. While the unveiling is scheduled for next month, it seems that deliveries to customers won’t commence until 2026. As for the cost, it will be at least €3.6 million, equivalent to $3.86 million based on current exchange rates.