When Bugatti introduced the Chiron in 2016, many presumed it was only a matter of time before a convertible version following in the footsteps of the Veyron Grand Sport was launched. However, the French marque never actually intended to sell the Chiron as a convertible and it wasn’t until the idea of the limited-run W16 Mistral came around that it decided to make such a car reality. It did much more than take a Chiron and chop off the roof, however. The W16 Mistral serves as Bugatti’s first roadster since 2012’s Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse and is also its last road-going model to feature the same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16. To make it a reality, Bugatti had to reengineer the carbon fiber monocoque and alter its shape to allow for the new rounded silhouette while also ensuring the car passes crash regulations.
Convertibles are usually at a dynamic
disadvantage to the hardtop models on which they are based but Bugatti didn’t
want this to be the case with the W16 Mistral. As such, engineers have used new
ultra-high-performance composite materials in its construction to minimize
weight and increase rigidity. This attention to detail extends to the doors
that have been designed to absorb the energy created by a significant side
impact.
The focus on safety and performance
extends to the roof where the new ram induction air intakes behind the
headrests don’t only serve to feed the W16 with cool air but are made from
carbon fiber that can support the weight of the whole car in the event of a
rollover.
Bugatti has also revealed the W16 Mistral
has a bespoke sound system catered to open-top driving while also using
luscious woven leather on the new door panels.
