PARIS: Across more than two decades, the unmistakable sound of Bugatti’s W16 has been an intrinsic part of the marque’s identity.
From the first Veyron and beyond to the Bolide, the Mistral and one-off creations, the 16-cylinder powerplant created a soundtrack as distinctive as the cars themselves.
So, when Bugatti embarked on a new era with the Tourbillon, creating the sound of its all-new naturally aspirated V16 was about defining a new voice for Bugatti.
In the latest episode of the ‘A New Era’ docuseries, Bugatti engineers reveal how this sound was developed, refined and ultimately confirmed, marking the completion of one of the Tourbillon’s defining elements.
Watch the latest episode, 'Sound Of A New Era pt.1', on the official Bugatti YouTube channel.
The starting point for the Tourbillon’s sound was therefore not a blank sheet of paper, but Bugatti’s heritage.
The engineers looked to the marque’s past for inspiration, while embracing the fundamentally different character of a naturally aspirated V16 paired with an electric powertrain.
“Bugatti, from a sound perspective, has never had a very clean-sounding engine. It has always been a little bit dirty and raw, so we decided to keep that as one of the key points of the sound,” said Bugatti head of NVH and acoustics Romain Volatier.
“As a test driver, it’s very important that I can hear the engine and feel the engine speed increasing in connection with the throttle. It’s very important for me to connect the sound of the engine with what I’m asking from it through the throttle,” said Bugatti vehicle development driver Paolo Magrone.
This balance between emotion and refinement was one of the central challenges of the Tourbillon’s acoustic development.
The engineers had to ensure that the cabin remained comfortable during everyday driving, with the windows closed and the car operating in electric mode, while still allowing the full character of the V16 to come through when the driver wanted it.
Lowering the windows offered another dimension, allowing the raw sounds of the intake and exhaust to enter the cabin and creating a far more immersive experience.
Following three years of Tourbillon development, its acoustic character has reached its final form.
The result is a sound designed to heighten the emotional connection between machine and driver.
Raw yet refined when demanded, and entirely mechanical in its origin, the Tourbillon’s engine note carries the spirit of Bugatti’s past into a new era.
Reaching 9,000 rpm, the naturally aspirated V16 adds a further dimension to that connection, creating a sound that is unmistakably Tourbillon.
