Farewell to the 99-unit run Bugatti Mistral super roadster

PARIS: Bugatti is bidding farewell to its unparalleled 16-cylinder engine with a roadster, a W16 Mistral even more tempestuous than the powerful French wind that gave it its name.

During test drives, the open two-seater reached 453.9kph, securing the world record for open-top cars, the manufacturer announced.

Customers can drive it up to 420kph, but they will need a second key for that.

Otherwise, the top speed is limited to 380kph.

Such speeds are made possible by the 8.0-litre W16 engine mounted at the rear of the convertible.

The figures provided by Bugatti seem enormous: The engine draws in up to 70,000 litres of air per minute, combusting it with premium petrol in its 16 cylinders.

It generates up to 1,176kW/1,600hp and propels the Mistral with up to 1,600Nm towards the horizon.

The car accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 2.5 seconds and reaches the 300kph mark in just about 10 seconds.

Although the Mistral, with a base price of nearly €6 million (RM29.7mil), is also presumably the most expensive roadster in the world, this has not hindered its success: All 99 units have already been sold.

For those who missed out, the French manufacturer offers consolation with the prospect of the Chiron successor, the Tourbillon.

However, it will initially only be available as a coupe and not as a roadster.

On the other hand, it costs €1.5 million (RM7.4mil) less than the Mistral.