Art on Wheels: The 'Blanc Éternel'
Bugatti has pulled the covers off its latest masterpiece, a unique W16 Mistral christened 'Blanc Éternel' (Eternal White). This is no ordinary special edition. Created through the highly exclusive Sur Mesure programme, this one-of-one roadster is a collaboration
with the renowned German porcelain maker, Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM). The car's stunning appearance features a pure white body, painstakingly overlaid with hand-applied black lines that map the digital surface layout of the car. This creates a striking graphic effect, making the car look as if its digital design has been permanently rendered onto its physical form. The design pays homage to a previous Bugatti-KPM collaboration, the 2011 Veyron 'L'Or Blanc', but reinterprets the theme with a more geometric and modern aesthetic.
The Meaning of 'Sur Mesure'
For those unfamiliar, 'Sur Mesure' translates to 'tailored' or 'made-to-measure' in French. It represents Bugatti's official in-house customisation program, created to satisfy a growing demand from clients who desire something beyond the already vast catalogue of options. This isn't just about picking a special colour; it's a deeply involved process where a client works directly with Bugatti's designers and engineers to create a vehicle that is a true one-off. The Sur Mesure team helps translate personal stories, artistic inspirations, or historical homages into tangible automotive art, developing new techniques and materials to bring a client's vision to life.
Crafted from Porcelain
The 'Blanc Éternel' takes bespoke to a new level with the integration of genuine porcelain. KPM, a company with centuries of expertise, crafted several components for both the exterior and interior. On the outside, precious porcelain can be found on the EB emblem, the fuel and oil caps, and inlays on the engine cover. This delicate material is even more present inside the cabin. The gear shifter, window-lifter buttons, speaker covers, and various trim pieces are all made from porcelain, making it a functional and tangible part of the driving experience. This use of a non-traditional material underscores Bugatti's commitment to authentic craftsmanship and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in a car.
The Last of the W16
Beneath the artistic finish lies the heart of a true Bugatti. The Mistral is the final road-going model to be powered by the brand's legendary 8.0-litre, quad-turbocharged W16 engine. In this application, it produces a staggering 1,600 PS, enabling the roadster to achieve a top speed of 420 km/h. The Mistral was conceived as the ultimate open-top experience, with massive air intakes located directly behind the occupants' heads that channel 70,000 litres of air through the engine every minute at full throttle. With only 99 examples of the Mistral being produced in total — all of which were pre-sold for over €5 million each — each one marks the end of an incredible era in automotive engineering.
