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Bugatti Completes Final Mistral, Marking the End of the W-16 Era
Sameer Bhatia | July 18, 2026 3:11 PM CST

The chapter of Bugatti’s legendary W-16 engine is drawing to a close, with the final Mistral having rolled off the production line in Molsheim.


This last Mistral, named “The last of its kind,” is the 99th and final unit in the model’s production series. Serving as the open-top counterpart to the Chiron, the Mistral is significantly rarer, given that Bugatti produced 500 units of the Chiron. It features the brand’s renowned quad-turbo W-16 powertrain and continues to hold the record for the fastest open-roof production car, reaching 282 mph during tests in Papenburg in 2024.


According to Bugatti, this car symbolizes the “final chapter” in the W-16’s “road-going story.” While this phrasing leaves open the possibility of the engine returning in a non-road-legal application, it effectively signals the end of the W-16’s journey in regular production models. Moving forward, Bugatti will transition to an 8.3-litre naturally aspirated V-16 engine, which will make its debut in the Tourbillon.


For this final Mistral, Bugatti has chosen a dual-tone finish known as Pearl and Sparkle, though the subtle contrast between the two hues is difficult to discern in images. The cabin features a Magnolia and Grey Carbon Matt theme, complemented by Ettore Bugatti’s signature engraved into the headrests, aluminium door sills, and engine cover. Adding to the bespoke craftsmanship is a frozen crystal glass plate on the armrest inscribed with “Spirit of the Wind,” a tribute to Bugatti’s long-standing collaboration with French glassmaker Lalique.


Although it may not be as extravagant as the porcelain-adorned Blanc Eternal Bugatti unveiled earlier this month, this Mistral stands as a landmark creation that brings the W-16 era to a graceful conclusion. Its completion also coincides with Bugatti’s inauguration of its new production facility, La Manufacture, which will serve as the assembly site for the upcoming Tourbillon and future V-16 powertrains.


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