Bugatti’s Next Hypercar Swaps The W16 For A Newly Developed V16 Hybrid

While many other automakers use electric powertrains to make their ridiculously powerful cars go fast, the Bugatti Chiron is still powered by a good, old-fashioned, gasoline-fueled 8.0-liter W16. With four turbochargers stuffing a massive amount of air into the engine, even the base Chiron makes nearly 1,500 horsepower. Time marches on, though, and there’s no room in the future for a W16 that gets an EPA-rated 9 mpg combined. As a result, Bugatti has announced plans to drop the Chiron’s W16 in favor of something much more efficient — a V16 hybrid.

Yep, that’s right. Goodbye, relatively compact W16, and hello much longer V16. It’s hybrid, though, so you know it’ll get good gas mileage. In fact, it might even be efficient enough to boost that EPA combined fuel economy rating into the double digits. Just imagine averaging 12 mpg in your Future Bugatti while your loser friends are stuck in the single digits behind the wheel of their Chiron. That’s going to save you so much time filling up on gas while on your cross-continental road trips.

While information on the new V16 is still scarce — the entire press release was only four sentences, after all — The Supercar Blog claims sources have said it will be a Cosworth-developed 8.3-liter naturally aspirated engine that can rev up to 9,000 rpm, and when it’s paired with three electric motors, the entire powertrain will make at least 1,800 hp. Regardless of what you stick that in, it’s going to be pretty darn quick.

Since it’s probably safe to assume that a V16, even without a hybrid setup, is going to take up more space in the engine bay than a W16, that, in turn, raises questions about exactly what kind of car it will actually end up in. It’s entirely possible Bugatti plans to stick with the Chiron’s mid-engine layout and build another hyper-grand tourer, but we can’t help wondering whether the longer engine signals a shift in Bugatti’s plans. We’re purely in speculation territory here, but could the V16 be intended for the world’s most expensive ultra-luxury sedan?

Sadly, we’ll have to wait a while to find out. According to the release, “In June, the modern-day lineage of Bugatti – first established with the Veyron 16.4 – will welcome its latest evolution; a new automotive pinnacle with a V16 hybrid powertrain at its heart.” That could mean we’ll get to see the engine in a new Bugatti, but it’s also entirely possible that it will just be more information on the engine. Either way, there’s no way any of us are going to be able to afford whatever car this new V16 ends up in.