by Bugatti has ended production of the serial W16: the last Mistral has left the assembly line
Bugatti has officially announced the end of the twenty-year era of its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine. The last W16 Mistral roadster has left the walls of the workshop in Molsheim. Although serial production of this hypercar based on the Chiron has come to an end, the possibility remains for the wealthiest clients to order a unique car with this legendary engine.
Last year, Bugatti launched the Programme Solitaire, which allows the richest clients to order one-off or small-series cars on existing platforms and with existing powertrains, including the W16. Two such orders have already been fulfilled: the unique Brouillard and the Veyron FKP Hommage, each using remaining stocks of W16 engines and Chiron monocoques.
However, as a certified serial catalog car, the Mistral marks the true end of this platform. This distinction matters for collectors who seek to own the last chapter of history, rather than a unique epilogue.
The last example: unique design and personalization
The W16 Mistral was introduced in August 2022, with its production limited to 99 examples. The last hypercar features a two-tone paint job combining Pearl and Sparkle shades, and its open two-seat interior is trimmed in Magnolia and Grey Carbon Matt leather. A number of unique details were created thanks to the Bugatti Sur Mesure personalization program, which also handled the boldest orders throughout the model’s production run.
Instead of Rembrandt’s traditional dancing elephant, a unique aluminum falcon head is mounted on the gear selector. This pays homage to the owner’s Middle Eastern origins. The same falcon appears as an anthracite-colored embroidered motif on the door panels, and a frozen crystal sculpture made by the French workshop Lalique is placed on the armrest plate.
Another interesting detail is Ettore Bugatti’s signature on the engine cover, which is also present on headrest embroidery and on machined aluminum sill plates. Finally, a special plaque depicting the car with the inscription “The Last of Its Kind” is placed in the cabin.
Exclusive versions and world record
This last example joins an exceptional lineup of Sur Mesure personalized cars created in Molsheim during the Mistral’s production run. Among the most famous are Caroline, ordered by a father for his daughter, Fly Bug in a dragonfly style, inspired by Blanc Éterne porcelain, and many others.
Another outstanding car is the unique World Record Car, which achieved a top speed of 453.91 km/h on the track in Papenburg with driver Andy Wallace at the wheel. This example entered a private collection alongside other record-setting Bugattis and is believed to be the most expensive Mistral, with its price reaching 14 million euros (16 million dollars), compared to the roadster’s base price of 5 million euros (5.7 million dollars).
Technical specifications and symbolic end of an era
Under the hood of the last evolution of the famous 8.0-liter W16 lies 1578 hp and 1600 Nm of torque, matching the figures of the track-focused Bolide.
The end of Mistral production coincides with a symbolic moment for Bugatti: just a few days prior, the company opened an expansion of its factory named “La Manufacture.” This building will become the new home for the production of the Tourbillon and future Bugatti hypercars.
Thus, not just the production of a single model ends, but an entire era in automotive history. The W16 engine has become a symbol of power, luxury, and engineering excellence, and although serial production has ceased, its legacy will live on in unique orders and in the memory of fans. The opening of the new “La Manufacture” plant indicates that Bugatti is looking to the future, preparing for the production of the hybrid Tourbillon, which will become the next chapter in the brand’s history. This transition from the iconic W16 to new technologies underscores the company’s constant evolution, which always strives to combine tradition with innovation.
