Bugatti loves speed records, and they’ve just smashed another one. On November 9, 2024, their W16 Mistral hit 453.91 km/h (282 mph) on a test track in Germany. That’s the fastest any open-top car has ever gone. This isn’t just about breaking records. It’s a send-off for the legendary W16 engine, a piece of automotive history in its own right. The team behind the car celebrated the moment by bringing together all of Bugatti’s record-breaking legends. Seeing them on the track together was a sight to remember. Record-Breaking CarsOver the years, Bugatti has set the bar for speed again and again. The latest W16 Mistral is no exception, joining a lineup of legendary machines that pushed the limits of what’s possible. The journey started 14 years ago with the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. It was a beast of a car, clocking 431.07 km/h (267.8 mph). Pierre-Henri Raphanel took it to the track at Ehra-Lessien and made history. The Veyron’s entire design was reworked to handle the speed, from a more powerful engine to a stiffer chassis. Fast-forward to 2013, and Bugatti proved they could do the same with open-top cars. The Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse hit 408.84 km/h (254 mph), becoming the fastest convertible in the world. Anthony Liu drove it to glory. Then came the Chiron Super Sport 300+ in 2019. This was the car that broke the mythical 300-mph barrier, reaching an insane 490.484 km/h (304.4 mph). Andy Wallace, another of Bugatti’s star drivers, was the one to make it happen. Only 30 of these cars were built, each with a sleek carbon fibre finish and orange racing stripes. And now, the W16 Mistral. Just a month ago, it set a new record for open-top cars, hitting 453.91 km/h (282 mph) on a track in Papenburg. What’s amazing is how little Bugatti had to tweak the car for the run. They removed the speed limiter and adjusted the suspension, and that was it. The Mistral did the rest, showing off its 1,600 PS engine. For Bugatti President Christophe Piochon, it was more than just a proud moment. “Seeing each of the World Record Cars gathered here is a truly emotional moment for me,” he said. “They are pioneers in their own right, expanding the horizons defined by the last world-record accomplishment and taking our ambitions to even greater heights.” Source: Bugatti
