Bugatti W16 Mistral: Now the fastest open-top car in the world

The insane roadster reached well over 250 mph

Bugatti W16 Mistral (2024) Top speed world record for open-top vehicles

Photo by: Bugatti

By: Roland Hildebrandt

Published by: Brian Potter

Nov 15, 2024 at 3:41am ET

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A top speed of well over 250 mph? No problem for Bugatti. The company has already set many world records in the past. In the form of the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition and the Chiron Super Sport 300+. Now the W16 Mistral has set a new top speed world record for open-top vehicles at 453.91 km/h (282 mph).

The record was set on the test track of ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH in Germany and has hosted world record runs that are considered legendary in the automotive world. The record story began more than 14 years ago in June 2010 with a Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, which set a record of 267.85 mph. The world record in the closed cockpit was broken again in 2019 by the Chiron Super Sport 300+ at 304.77 mph, but the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse had already reached 254.04 mph with the roof open.

Gallery: Bugatti W16 Mistral (2024) Top speed world record for open-top vehicles

Bugatti W16 Mistral (2024) world record for top speed for open vehicles

Source: Bugatti

As the icing on the cake of the world record history, Bugatti now wanted to surpass this performance once again with an open-top vehicle. Months of preparation and meticulous testing were necessary to explore the vehicle's capabilities.

This project came to its crowning conclusion on 9 November 2024 in Papenburg. Andy Wallace - Bugatti Pilote Officiel and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans - took the wheel of the unique W16 Mistral World Record Car and warmed up the vehicle's high-performance tyres on a first preliminary lap.

Wallace entered the banked corner at a set speed of 124 mph and accelerated before turning onto the straight and unleashing the car's full power to set a new record speed. Under the careful supervision of SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH, the new top speed world record for an open-top vehicle was officially confirmed at the end of the drive: Andy Wallace reached an incredible 282.04 mph.

Bugatti W16 Mistral (2024) Top speed world record for open-top vehicles

Photos: Bugatti

"Throughout the test programme, which came down to this one moment, it was incredible to feel how stable the car felt - I had the impression that it wanted to go faster," explains Wallace.

"As the decisive moment approached, it was an incredibly exhilarating experience; the feeling of the elemental forces in the open cockpit, the sound of the impressive W16 engine from the air scoops just behind my ear - it all makes this achievement incredibly emotional. A record like this transcends automotive boundaries and requires tremendous concentration, dedication and teamwork."

(Andy Wallace)

For the first time in Bugatti's history, the customer of the vehicle witnessed such a record-breaking event and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in an exclusive and exquisite experience throughout the weekend in honour of this momentous occasion.

To emphasise the unique and ground-breaking nature of the event, the customer was offered the unique opportunity to accompany Andy on another high-speed run following the world record, achieving almost the same top speed - and probably setting an unofficial record for the fastest passenger journey ever.

Bugatti W16 Mistral (2024) Top speed world record for open-top vehicles

Photos: Bugatti

Like every Bugatti owner, the customer of the W16 Mistral World Record Car had a unique vision for his rare Bugatti collection: he wanted to own every Bugatti that had set a world record - the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition and the Chiron Super Sport 300+. Now the W16 Mistral World Record Car joins these icons in the extraordinary The Singh Collection - an impressive private automobile collection from Punjab in India.

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In addition to the extraordinary achievements of the other world record cars, the W16 Mistral World Record Car shares another characteristic with each of its illustrious predecessors. The car, valued at €14 million, shows its membership of a truly unrivalled collection with distinctive accents on the lower bodywork elements and wheels in bright "Jet Orange".

A colour that has evolved from the original hue of the Veyron world record cars and now distinguishes the record-breaking Chiron and W16 Mistral - paired with a body in black visible carbon. The spirit of this unique configuration continues in the interior, where an abundance of orange-coloured elements greet the driver.

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