by Bugatti Tourbillon: Completion of winter testing for the hypercar
Almost two years have passed since the presentation of the Bugatti Tourbillon, the successor to the record-breaking Chiron. Recently, the French brand completed winter testing of the car in Northern Europe. Seeing a hypercar sliding on snow is not an everyday sight.
Although future Tourbillon owners are unlikely to ever drive on snow, testing at the Colmis Proving Ground in Arjeplog, Sweden, proved to be the ideal location for testing the car in harsh conditions. This allowed for precise tuning of handling on various surfaces.
Testing details and system calibration
The Bugatti team spent four weeks in the region, testing two Tourbillons in temperatures dropping to -30°C. The main focus was on developing the braking system. Engineers ensured harmonious operation of conventional friction brakes with regenerative braking through a complex brake-by-wire system.
Considerable time was spent calibrating the ABS and ESC systems. Tests were conducted on polished ice, compacted snow, slush, and asphalt, including sections where the car crosses multiple surfaces within seconds. If braking begins on dry asphalt and the car then hits ice, the onboard systems must react instantly to different levels of grip.
Driving modes and developer quote
During the winter program, Bugatti also refined the Comfort, Sport, and Track driving modes. In Sport mode, the car has a neutral balance, while in Track mode, more torque is sent to the rear axle. This allows for precise and sustained drifts, controlling them almost exclusively with the throttle pedal with minimal steering input.
“Of course, hypercars are not designed for driving on snow and ice, but we pay significant attention to this,” said Bugatti Rimac chief test driver Miroslav Zrnčević. “Simply because it is extremely important for our clients and the teams developing the car that the Tourbillon performs excellently in any weather conditions. After all, if its capabilities are comparable to other cars, it’s no longer a Bugatti.”
Production plans
Bugatti plans to produce only 250 examples of the Tourbillon. First customer deliveries are expected this year. The car is powered by a naturally aspirated V16 engine and electric motors, together producing 1775 horsepower.
Winter testing of this level underscores the Bugatti philosophy: even a hypercar costing over 4 million dollars must be versatile. Although most owners are unlikely to test the Tourbillon on snowy roads, the car’s ability to perform confidently in extreme conditions is not just a technical requirement, but part of the brand’s DNA. The fact that engineers devote so much attention to tuning systems on ice speaks to the pursuit of making every aspect of driving flawless, even if these capabilities are never fully utilized. It also demonstrates how modern hypercars combine immense power with sophisticated electronic systems to remain controllable and safe in any scenario.
