Bugatti Tests Tourbillon Hybrid Hypercar in Arctic Sweden
Bugatti is testing its Tourbillon hybrid hypercar—featuring a V16 engine and three electric motors producing 1,800 HP—in the extreme cold of northern Sweden to validate its performance on ice and snow.
- 1,800 HP
- -30°C
- 20 people
What Happened
At the Colmis Proving Ground in Arjeplog, Sweden, Bugatti is subjecting the Tourbillon to temperatures as low as -30°C. The validation prototypes undergo intensive testing on ice, snow, and slush to calibrate all-wheel-drive torque distribution, traction control, braking systems, and electronic stability control. The goal is to ensure the 1,800 HP hypercar remains precise and controllable in low-grip conditions.
1,800 HPHP
From hybrid V16 and three electric motors
- Comfort mode: Delivers reassurance and stability in low-grip conditions
- Sport mode: Balances neutrality with greater engine presence and agility
- Track mode: Permits greater side slip with rearward torque bias for playful response
Why this matters
The Tourbillon's winter testing ensures that its complex hybrid powertrain and control systems perform reliably in harsh conditions, proving the car's capability before customer deliveries.
Terms in This Story
- MU-jump
- A sudden change in road surface grip, such as transitioning from dry asphalt to ice.
- Regenerative braking
- A system that captures energy during deceleration to recharge the battery.
- Brake-by-wire
- A system that electronically transmits brake inputs instead of using mechanical linkage.
- Torque vectoring
- Technology that distributes power to individual wheels to improve handling.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.