Bugatti W16 Mistral Sets New Open-Top Speed Record at Over 280 MPH

Bugatti has once again redefined automotive history, with its W16 Mistral achieving a world-record speed of 453.91 km/h (281 mph) for an open-top car. The feat was accomplished on November 9 at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, piloted by Bugatti’s official test driver and Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace.

The W16 Mistral builds on Bugatti’s legacy of record-breaking speed. Notable milestones include the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse’s 408.84 km/h (253 mph) in 2013 and the Chiron Super Sport 300+’s 490.48 km/h (304 mph) closed-cockpit record in 2019. The event was attended by Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, alongside Bugatti’s senior team and the vehicle’s owner. The bespoke $14.8 million USD W16 Mistral features a striking black carbon body accented with "Jet Orange," a nod to Bugatti’s previous record-setting models.

Celebrating the milestone, the owner, a collector from Punjab, India, experienced the car’s prowess firsthand, joining Wallace for a high-speed run. This W16 Mistral joins an exclusive lineup of Bugatti record cars in The Singh Collection.

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