Bugatti has once again set the bar for performance and speed, with its W16 Mistral achieving a remarkable world-record top speed of 453.91 km/h (281 mph) for an open-top car. This extraordinary feat was accomplished on November 9 at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg track in Germany, with renowned Bugatti test driver and Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace, behind the wheel.

The W16 Mistral continues Bugatti’s rich history of setting new benchmarks in automotive performance. Previous milestones in the brand’s legacy include the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, which reached a top speed of 408.84 km/h (253 mph) in 2013, and the Chiron Super Sport 300+, which broke the 300 mph barrier with a closed-cockpit record of 490.48 km/h (304 mph) in 2019. The W16 Mistral’s achievement further cements Bugatti’s reputation as a leader in automotive excellence.

The record-setting event was graced by Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, alongside key members of the Bugatti senior team, as well as the vehicle’s proud owner. The bespoke W16 Mistral, valued at $14.8 million USD, features a striking black carbon body with “Jet Orange” accents, a tribute to Bugatti’s previous record-breaking models.

Adding a personal touch to the event, the owner, a car collector from Punjab, India, joined Wallace for the high-speed run, experiencing the Mistral’s raw power and precision firsthand. This W16 Mistral is now part of The Singh Collection, an exclusive array of Bugatti’s most iconic and record-setting vehicles.

With the W16 Mistral’s latest achievement, Bugatti once again demonstrates its commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive performance, setting new standards for speed and innovation in the process.