W16 Mistral Undergoes Uncompromising Quality Checks in Alsace

Discover how Bugatti’s W16 Mistral endures a 400 km test route, ensuring unmatched quality through handcrafted checks and advanced telemetry in Alsace.

In Molsheim, compromise is not an option: every Bugatti W16 Mistral endures a test worthy of its legendary status. As the final roadster powered by the iconic W16 engine, it must honour the legacy of an era — and for that, Bugatti has perfected a quality assessment protocol refined over two decades.

The mandatory 400-kilometre test route winds through the picturesque roads of Alsace, covering everything from cobblestone streets in historic villages to open highways where the quad-turbo W16’s symphony comes alive. Every component is scrutinised by hand — three master test drivers, each with a multi-stage training background, can detect the faintest irregularities in sound or vibration. Their role is to capture what electronics alone cannot.

This human expertise is supported by sophisticated telemetry. High-precision data loggers monitor hundreds of performance metrics from the engine, transmission and all vital systems. Yet the final word always belongs to the driver: 90% of the evaluation rests on the senses — sight, hearing and touch.

The final stage takes place at Colmar airfield, where a 1,600-metre runway becomes the proving ground for emergency braking, ESP and ABS at speeds up to 300 km/h. Special attention is given to the detachable roof — only without it can the roadster’s 1,600 PS be unleashed to its full potential.

Historically, this rigorous process traces back to the Veyron, when Bugatti first introduced a 350-kilometre route that later evolved for the Chiron and its successors. With the Mistral, the method has been pushed even further to ensure that the last of the W16 line upholds its benchmark reputation.

Bugatti remains one of the few manufacturers to subject every car to such meticulous scrutiny. In an age of mass production, this is less an industrial test and more a ritual of craftsmanship. The images and rare footage from the Alsace routes prove once again: legends aren’t born on the assembly line, but forged where every kilometre adds the final brushstroke to a masterpiece.