Bugatti’s Hybrid Setup Is Lighter Than Its Old V16 Engine Alone

Bugatti might have rejected the idea of making its Chiron replacement an EV, but it’s not above employing electric power in a way that generates some incredible performance figures while still delivering the emotional hit that only combustion supercars can provide.

Also: Bugatti Boss Slams Hybrid Supercars And Reveals His Unexpected Dream Car

And in the latest installment of a video series following the development of the new Tourbillon, Bugatti’s CEO reveals just how smart the new hybrid powertrain is.

A New Engine With Old-School Character

The Tourbillon drops the quad-turbo W16 format Bugatti has been using since it was resurrected over 20 years ago for a brand new naturally-aspirated W16. Losing the turbos will sharpen the throttle response and we already know from sound clips that it vastly improves the soundtrack – never a Veyron or Chiron strongpoint.

But to further amplify that response to a prod of right foot, and help recreate some of the torque that turbos are so good at delivering, the Tourbillon is equipped with three electric motors. There’s one at the back with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and another two at the front that make the new hypercar all-wheel drive, and provide torque-vectoring capabilities.

What’s really impressive about the setup is that far from ballooning the curb weight, like the hybrid system on BMW’s latest M5 does, this electrified setup actually makes the Tourbillon lighter. The entire drivetrain – engine, motors, transmission – looks enormous but at 430 kg (948 lbs) weighs less than the Chiron’s W16 alone.

Not having four turbos helps here, but so does using the rear motor as a starter motor and creating a T-shaped battery pack with no sides (the floorpan forms the sides once the battery is in place).

More Power, Higher Revs, and a Bit of EV Range

In addition to being lighter than the Chiron’s power station, the Tourbillon’s also kicks out a load more horses: 1,775 hp (1,800 PS) at a heady 9,000 rpm to the old car’s 1,470 hp (1,500 PS) at a comparatively diesel-like 6,700 rpm. It can also cruise for 37 miles (60 km) on electric power, though we can’t think of many occasions when we’d want to do that.

Mate Rimac says cramming two motors, the cooling hardware for the battery and room for luggage under the frunk lid was a big challenge. We look forward to seeing what other challenges he and his Bugatti team have wrestled with and won in the next video.