Bugatti Tourbillon combines V16 engine with cutting-edge hybrid tech

Bugatti unveils Tourbillon's hybrid system: a V16 engine enhanced by electric motors for lighter weight, higher speed, and 60km electric range. Watch the full story.

Episode 08 of Bugatti's documentary series A New Era takes viewers into the core of the brand’s engineering ethos, where electricity doesn’t replace tradition—it amplifies it. The spotlight is on the Tourbillon’s hybrid powertrain, a technological symphony that marries a naturally aspirated V16 with a tri-motor electric system in what may be Bugatti’s boldest move yet.

This isn’t a hybrid in the conventional sense. The Tourbillon’s 8.3-liter V16 breathes freely, while a 250-kilowatt electric motor supports it seamlessly, delivering torque in moments where combustion alone would hesitate. These systems are tightly integrated—so much so that the full powertrain, including transmission and differential, weighs just 430 kilograms, matching the weight of the Chiron’s engine alone.

The front axle hosts two independent electric motors with dual inverters housed in a single unit. The T-shaped 25kWh battery pack, made up of over 1,500 cells, isn’t merely installed—it’s built into the chassis. This structural approach boosts rigidity and perfects weight distribution. Remarkably, despite the added complexity, the Tourbillon is lighter than its predecessor, while delivering higher speeds, better handling, and even more luggage space.

According to Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, electrification here isn’t about efficiency. It’s about emotion. The 800-volt hybrid system enables precision and immediacy, complementing the raw drama of the V16. "We haven't simply added electric motors to a combustion engine; we've created a harmonious synthesis," he says.

That philosophy extends even to the suspension. Bugatti has introduced 3D-printed, topologically optimized components that are 45% lighter than previous state-of-the-art versions. Nothing about this vehicle is accidental. Every gram, every circuit, every weld serves a purpose.

The Tourbillon is not just another addition to Bugatti’s legacy—it may well be its next defining chapter. A hypercar engineered not just to go fast, but to feel alive in an entirely new way.