Buying a Bugatti Mistral comes with an unusual perk: before customers take delivery, the $5.4 million hypercar is driven to 186 mph by the company’s test drivers.
The French automaker confirmed that each Mistral — the last Bugatti model powered by the legendary 8.0-liter W-16 quad-turbo engine — is subjected to a rigorous testing program spanning at least 400 kilometers (about 250 miles). The process ensures every system functions flawlessly before the roadster is delivered to its owner.
If engineers discover any irregularities during the test, the car is returned to the factory for adjustments before undergoing another 50 kilometers (31 miles) of evaluation. The high-speed run to 300 km/h (186 mph) is conducted on a runway at Colmar Airport in northeastern France, where Bugatti verifies braking and stability control systems under extreme conditions.
The Mistral is capable of far more. In 2023, the car reached 282 mph at Germany’s Papenburg test track, setting a record as the fastest open-top production car ever built. The achievement exceeded Bugatti’s own claims, surpassing the official 261 mph top speed figure. Its predecessor, the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, topped out at 254 mph.
The company’s final W-16-powered model, limited to 99 units, sold out even before its official debut in 2022. Deliveries began earlier this year, and only three Bugatti employees are authorized to conduct the pre-delivery tests, which also cover transmission performance, roof operation, and interior functions.
Bugatti’s next chapter begins in 2026 with the Tourbillon, a coupe powered by a new V-16 hybrid powertrain. Chief executive Mate Rimac has suggested the car could eclipse 500 km/h (310 mph), pushing the limits of road-going performance even further.
Source: Bugatti Newsroom
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