Enzo, an elderly man, had such confidence in his automotive creations that he disregarded the need for aerodynamics to outperform his competitors. However, Ford shattered his confidence in 1966 (and in the following three Le Mans races) by knocking the champagne bottle out of his hands. It became clear that powertrains alone were not sufficient to secure victory.
Ferrari’s belief was misguided, and car manufacturers had been utilizing aerodynamic cheating long before 1960. In the early 1930s, Chrysler developed the Airflow and enlisted the help of space engineers to design the iconic winged warriors of 1969 and 1970, namely the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Road Runner Superbird.
Aerodynamics serves not only to enhance speed, but also to reduce fuel consumption and battery drain over a specific distance and speed. In other words, it serves both economic and environmental purposes. However, certain luxury car brands disregard economic considerations entirely, as they cater to extremely wealthy clientele. If summarized in a single word, this paragraph would be spelled as: B u g a t t i.
Bugatti does not simply manufacture exorbitantly expensive and fast cars by adding more cylinders to their engines, although it may seem that way based on the past two decades. These incredibly swift vehicles primarily rely on aerodynamics to continuously push the boundaries of land speed. When the occupants are exposed to the elements without a roof, splitting the air at 400 kph (250 mph) becomes crucial.
This year, the W16 Mistral will be delivered to the 99 customers who paid €5 million ($5.4 million at the February 2024 exchange rate) for one. This hypercar serves as a tribute to the iconic sixteen-cylinder engine that made its debut in 2004 with the Veyron, an awe-inspiring creation.
With power ranging from 1,000 to 1,618 PS (986 to 1,600 hp), depending on the specific Bugatti model, the renowned W16 engine bids farewell to the era of combustion in the W16 Mistral, an open-top marvel. The car’s foundation lies in its aerodynamics, with meticulous digital simulations enabling engineers and designers to precisely direct the airflow.
To be fair, reaching a speed of 420 kph (261 mph) was not the main challenge (the Chiron Super Sport 300+ surpassed that with a speed of over 300 mph). The real goal was to achieve this speed without subjecting the driver and passenger to unbearable noise or air pressure.
The experts tinkered with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software before progressing to the traditional wind tunnel. The outcome was a profile that diverts airflow around and over the cabin, channeling it directly into the prominent intakes for the engine, as well as the lubricant, transmission, and coolant radiators. This is the primary reason for the car’s redesigned horseshoe grille. The widened center-front intake directs air towards the central radiator, effectively cooling the monstrous quad-turbo eight-liter W16 engine.
The compressors that are activated by the exhaust gases obtain air directly from the inlets located just a few inches behind the passengers’ heads. Despite this proximity, the airflow entering the engine compartment does not disturb the occupants. The spoiler connects the two ducts made of carbon fiber, directing air towards the rear wing to maximize downforce.
The air intakes also serve as protective bars in the event of a rollover, thanks to their incredibly strong carbon core. Each air tunnel, resembling a humpback, is capable of supporting the entire weight of the car. When the Mistral reaches speeds that would make an airplane take flight, the W16 engine generates an immense amount of heat, with the exhaust gases reaching temperatures of 980°C (1,796°F). It requires an exceptionally efficient thermodynamic design to keep the engine running at its maximum potential.
The hot air is expelled through ducts located at the rear, taking advantage of the low-pressure zone to effectively suck the air out of the car through its distinctive taillights. The aerodynamic optimization begins at the front of the Mistral, where the design of the headlights guides air through the lights and directs it out through the wheel arches, reducing drag. The two side intakes beneath the main grille supply cold air to the intercoolers.
When the final example of the Mistral leaves the Molsheim Atelier, it will mark the end of an era for the legendary W16 engines that were first introduced over two decades ago with the Bugatti Veyron. Throughout these two decades, the engineers have managed to enhance the powerplant’s output by more than 60%.
The original engine that broke speed records when installed in the Veyron produced 1,001 PS during its first dyno test in 2002. In 2019, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ achieved a remarkable speed of 304.773 mph (490.484 kph), setting a new benchmark for production cars that has yet to be surpassed by other top-tier competitors in the high-speed industry.