A Masterpiece with a Historic Soul
Bugatti has a long and storied history of creating vehicles that are as beautiful as they are powerful. The latest example to capture the imagination of enthusiasts is not just a car, but a bespoke masterpiece. A unique W16 Mistral has been delivered
to a discerning client, showcasing the incredible capabilities of Bugatti's 'Sur Mesure' (tailor-made) personalization program. This isn't just a car with a special paint job; it's a moving tribute to one of the most elegant roadsters in the brand's history: the 1934 Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid. The entire project is a dialogue between past and present, blending cutting-edge technology with design cues from a bygone era of automotive elegance.
Inspired by a Legend
The specific inspiration for this artistic Mistral is the Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, a one-of-a-kind vehicle currently housed in the Louwman Museum. That historic car, known for its sporting elegance and distinctive V-shaped windscreen, was presented at the 1934 Paris Motor Show. It wore a striking duo-tone black and yellow livery, which were the personal favorite colors of the company's founder, Ettore Bugatti. This new Mistral masterfully reinterprets that classic color scheme. The launch version featured a warm black with hints of truffle brown, complemented by subtle yellow accents, directly nodding to its ancestor. This particular customer commission takes that inspiration and elevates it, creating a finish that is both a tribute and a unique statement.
The Art of 'Sur Mesure'
Bugatti's Sur Mesure division allows clients to go far beyond a standard options list. It's an intensely collaborative process where owners work directly with Bugatti's designers to create a vehicle that is deeply personal. In the case of this Mistral, the result is a car that tells a story. The exterior features a complex, hand-applied finish that required countless hours of craftsmanship. For example, recent one-off Mistrals have featured genuine porcelain accents or intricate, hand-painted illustrations hidden under the rear wing. These details transform the car from a product into a piece of personal art, reflecting the owner's taste and celebrating Bugatti's heritage. The process ensures that, of the 99 Mistrals to be built, no two will be exactly alike.
A Symphony of Details
The artistry extends deep into the car’s cabin. The interior of the Mistral is adorned with a blend of luxurious materials. The launch car showcased an interior with dark brown, pale driftwood, and vivid yellow tones, with handwoven leather patterns on the door panels, a detail unique to the W16 Mistral. A particularly special touch is the gear shifter, which can encase a sculpture of Rembrandt Bugatti's famous 'Dancing Elephant' in amber, physically embedding a piece of the family's artistic legacy into the car's controls. The new roof-mounted engine air scoops are not just functional; they are a stylistic nod to both the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport and the classic Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, bridging generations of Bugatti's open-top icons.
The Final Bow for a Legendary Engine
Beyond its artistic merit, the W16 Mistral holds a significant place in automotive history. It is the last road-going Bugatti that will ever be powered by the iconic 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine. This 1,600 PS powertrain, first introduced with the Veyron, has been the heart of Bugatti's modern era, powering cars to record-breaking speeds. The Mistral is the grand finale for this engineering triumph, making every one of the 99 examples a capstone on a remarkable chapter. This specific artistic build, therefore, is not just a beautiful car; it is a beautiful farewell to one of the greatest engines ever created, wrapped in a design that honours the brand's century-long legacy of combining performance with unparalleled artistry.
