Bugatti’s latest announcement doesn’t exactly knock us off our feet, but it still represents a major moment in Molsheim. The automaker has completed construction of the final Bugatti Bolide. This last example of the track-focused hypercar also signals the closing of another chapter for the marque, as it’s among the final vehicles to leave the French factory equipped with the brand’s legendary, massively powerful quad-turbo W16 engine.
Bugatti’s First True Modern Track Machine
Even by Bugatti’s lofty standards, the Bolide stood apart. While the Veyron, Chiron, and their many derivatives were engineered to balance extreme speed with remarkable comfort, the Bolide abandoned any pretense of road-car civility. It wasn’t built for streets—it was built purely for the track.
Instead of adapting a road-car chassis, Bugatti enlisted racing specialists Dallara to develop an all-new carbon structure. The result was an exceptionally rigid platform engineered to meet the same FIA crash standards applied to Le Mans prototypes. As Bugatti describes it, the Bolide was designed to be “a machine that remained effortlessly accessible to the gentleman racer, yet capable of delivering an unforgettable experience for even the most seasoned professional.”
Bugatti’s legendary W16 engine was central to the Bolide’s staggering performance. In this application, the powerplant produced 1,578 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. And with the car weighing in at roughly 3,200 pounds—thanks to its stripped-back design and absence of road-legal necessities like headlights and turn signals—the resulting power-to-weight ratio was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Bugatti Bolide rockets from 0 to 186 mph in just 11.5 seconds, then scrubs that speed back to zero in only six seconds—covering roughly three-quarters of a mile in the process. At full throttle, it reaches a top speed of 236 mph, and its aerodynamic design produces enough downforce for the car to corner at an incredible 2.5 g.
Now, Bugatti Turns Toward the Future
Bugatti first unveiled the Bolide concept in 2020, and after an overwhelmingly positive response, introduced the production version in 2023. The company committed to building only 40 units, with deliveries slated to begin in 2024. As expected, all were spoken for almost immediately—despite a starting price of roughly $4.7 million.
The last Bolide is destined for a devoted Bugatti enthusiast, and its paint scheme reflects that connection. The vivid blue hues draw inspiration not only from the brand’s heritage, but also from the owner’s own Type 35—a legendary Bugatti racer that dominated motorsport between 1924 and 1930.
Bugatti hasn’t revealed the identity of the final Bugatti Bolide owner—no surprise there. It’s entirely possible the car will remain hidden away, only resurfacing if it appears at auction years from now. While it’s among the last vehicles to feature the W16 engine, it won’t be the very last W16-powered Bugatti to leave the factory.
The French marque has already begun delivering the final models that will carry its iconic powerplant. The Mistral, a road-going machine that entered production earlier this year, will serve as the ultimate W16 Bugatti. A bespoke one-off version known as the Brouillard has already been unveiled, and the company’s custom-focused Programme Solitaire division will almost certainly produce a few more W16 masterpieces before the chapter officially closes.
Bugatti’s future will still feature 16 cylinders—just arranged differently. The company has teamed up with engine specialists Cosworth to develop an all-new V16. This naturally aspirated unit produces 1,000 horsepower on its own, and will be paired with a new hybrid system to deliver the kind of total output worthy of the Bugatti name.
