PARIS: The Bugatti W16 Mistral represents the pinnacle of open-top hypercar performance, marking the final chapter of the marque’s legendary W16 era.
Through Bugatti’s Sur Mesure programme, the W16 Mistral "Caroline" roadster stands as an exquisite creation.
Its future owner, a loyal Bugatti customer, sought to complement the design philosophy of the W16 Mistral with an entirely unique identity.
That vision was rooted in the gentle beauty of flowers, intertwined with the world of Haute Couture and a heartfelt tribute in the car’s name – chosen in honour of his daughter.
From Bugatti’s Atelier in Molsheim to its new Design Studio in Berlin, bringing this idea to life was entrusted to the marque’s Colour and Material Finish team, led by Sabine Consolini.
Drawing inspiration from the lavender fields of Provence, meticulously adorned Parisian gardens, and the sophisticated elegance of the fabrics and colours employed in Haute Couture, the designers translated nature’s fleeting grace into a unique piece of automotive artistry.
Through close dialogue with the customer, initial discussions evolved into refined proposals.
The exterior of the W16 Mistral "Caroline" reveals itself subtly, in nuance and movement.
Its defining colour, bespoke ‘Lavender’ paintwork, thus emerged from a meticulous process of mixing, testing and refinement.
The result is a surface that shifts with the light, oscillating between bluish and reddish violet – capturing the ephemeral beauty of flowers in bloom.
Beneath this luminous finish, the lower body is sculpted in exposed ‘Violet Carbon’ weave, tinted in a complementary violet tone.
Floral motifs feature on a select few surfaces on the vehicle’s exterior and interior, evolving in form and scale.
Nowhere is this more striking than at the rear, where the retractable wing becomes a canvas for an intricate, hand-painted composition.
Here, layers of lilac and iris shades are applied with extraordinary precision.
Multiple masking foils applied in successive stages, the craft of Bugatti’s master technicians ensured that each delicate layer of colour was perfectly realised, transforming the surface into a majestic canvas, revealed in all its splendour upon the activation of the hypercar’s air brake.
In the cockpit of "Caroline", a harmonious interplay of ‘Blanc’ and ‘Minuit’ leather, rich violet tones and ‘Violet Carbon’ creates an environment that feels both serene and expressive.
Each headrest features a mirrored, hand-stitched floral motif, composed of layered stitching techniques and thousands upon thousands of threads.
At the centre of the cabin, the gear selector houses Rembrandt Bugatti’s iconic ‘Dancing Elephant’, encased in glass tinted to exist in harmony with the surrounding violet palette.
"Creating a Sur Mesure vehicle is always an extraordinary journey; one that’s defined by trust, collaboration and a shared pursuit of perfection. With the W16 Mistral ‘Caroline’, we have had the privilege of bringing an exceptionally elegant vision to life, working closely with the customer to shape every detail with precision and care," said Bugatti managing director Hendrik Malinowski.
