Bugatti Presents W16 Mistral ‘La Perle Rare’

Bugatti introduces the one-off W16 Mistral ‘La Perle Rare’, a Sur Mesure roadster marking the final W16 era with bespoke design and record performance. Learn more.

Bugatti continues its farewell to the W16 era in the form of the deeply personalized W16 Mistral ‘La Perle Rare’. This car is not merely a rare specification of an already limited model; it stands as a reflection of the Sur Mesure philosophy, where a hypercar becomes an individual work of art.

The project began in August 2023 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance — an event held since 1950 and widely regarded as one of the most influential gatherings in the automotive world. It was there that Jascha Straub, Bugatti’s Manager of Sur Mesure and Individualization, met the client who would commission a unique interpretation of the final W16-powered roadster.

The W16 Mistral itself occupies a special place in the brand’s history. It is the last road-going Bugatti to feature the 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine producing 1,600 PS. Production is limited to 99 units, all of which were sold shortly after the announcement. The car accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, reaches 200 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 300 km/h in 12.1 seconds. In Top Speed mode, it is rated at 420 km/h. A dedicated W16 Mistral World Record Car has also set a verified open-top speed record of 453.91 km/h, certified by SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH.

‘La Perle Rare’ interprets this technical foundation through a carefully developed artistic concept. Two entirely new bespoke hues were created specifically for this commission: a warm, gold-infused tone and a refined warm white. The transition between them is defined by signature white-and-gold dividing lines, achieved through an intricate, multi-stage process involving meticulous hand-applied masking and painting. Hundreds of hours were devoted to executing this surface treatment.

Inspiration was drawn from Bugatti’s hand-painted “Vagues de Lumière” technique — “waves of light.” The approach begins with the creation of complex two-dimensional linework before adapting it precisely to the three-dimensional body surfaces. The result is not decorative alone; it enhances the way light interacts with the sculpted geometry of the roadster.

Inside the cabin, the dialogue between reflection and illumination continues. Carbon components are painted in white, forming a cohesive, jewel-like environment. Door panels feature alternating gold and white graphics, while machined and polished aluminum elements — from the steering wheel accents to the center console — reinforce the sense of moving light. Warm ambient lighting further emphasizes the pearl-inspired theme.

The historic “Dancing Elephant” motif, created by Rembrandt Bugatti and once used as a radiator mascot for the Type 41 Royale, provides a direct link to the marque’s heritage. In ‘La Perle Rare’, it appears within the gear selector housing and on exterior body panels, connecting contemporary individualization with early 20th-century design legacy.

The handwritten “La Perle Rare” signature by Jascha Straub is integrated through embroidery, engraving and painted details, underscoring the collaborative and highly personal nature of the commission.

As the W16 Mistral closes the chapter on Bugatti’s sixteen-cylinder road cars, ‘La Perle Rare’ emerges not simply as a bespoke specification, but as a final artistic statement of an engineering era — combining 1,600 PS of mechanical force with painstaking craftsmanship.