THE AMAZING NEW BUGATTI TOURBILLON IS A MASTERCLASS IN MODERN AERODYNAMICS - HERE'S WHY IT SLICES THE AIR.
In June 2024, Bugatti unveiled the Tourbillon - a hyper sports car designed to redefine the limits of possibility. Following its grand World Premiere in Molsheim, the latest episode of A New Era delves into the groundbreaking aerodynamic advancements that shape its performance. Bugatti’s top engineers and aerodynamicists reveal the intricate process of harnessing airflow to create a machine of unparalleled efficiency and speed. The journey to crafting one of the most aerodynamically advanced road cars began with a simple but ambitious goal: to surpass the already formidable Chiron - a car that shattered top-speed records. “The Chiron was a low-drag hypercar, but with the Tourbillon, we had to push even further,” explains Paul Burnham, Bugatti’s Chief Vehicle Engineer. Months of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations laid the foundation for the Tourbillon’s aerodynamic blueprint. But virtual simulations were just the beginning. Fifteen months before the car’s global reveal, Bugatti’s top engineers gathered at a cutting-edge wind tunnel facility in Italy. The focus? A meticulously crafted, half-scale model of the Tourbillon.
"This test represents the first validation of the scale model," says David Šoštarić, Head of Aerodynamics at Bugatti Rimac. "We assess different design volumes and modifications, exchanging parts to fine-tune the car’s high-speed performance before shifting our focus to handling efficiency and dynamic ability."
The half-scale test model itself was a feat of engineering, assembled from 250 individual 3D-printed components and equipped with over 100 precision-placed pressure taps. These instruments meticulously measured mass-flow, static pressure, and air velocity, allowing engineers to compare real-world results against digital simulations. The team refined every aerodynamic element - from reducing frontal area to optimizing the rear diffuser and reshaping the glasshouse for superior airflow. The result? A seamless fusion of data-driven engineering and Bugatti’s legendary expertise.
The ultimate objective was clear: optimize drag coefficient and airflow across the entire car. The Tourbillon achieves such aerodynamic efficiency that it can reach its top speed without deploying its rear wing - a testament to the extreme stability and control engineered into its design. As development progressed, the Tourbillon scaled up from model to full-sized prototype, requiring even more advanced wind tunnel testing.
“We moved from a scale-model wind tunnel to a full-sized facility, further refining the Tourbillon’s aerodynamic performance,” says Burnham. “Now, using a full-scale prototype, we’re fine-tuning our simulation tools to achieve the highest possible accuracy.”
Bugatti is merging over a century of combustion-engine expertise with cutting-edge electric performance in the Tourbillon. Its hybrid powertrain presents new challenges, particularly in cooling, requiring intensive airflow management from the front radiator channels to the iconic Bugatti C-line intakes behind the doors.
“The Tourbillon is an entirely new program. We started from scratch, ensuring our digital simulations align with real-world performance,” Burnham concludes. “Every element has been designed with perfection in mind, and it will set a new benchmark for the automotive industry.”
Take a look at the YouTube video that shoes off the technical wizardry that has resulted in some of the best aerodynamics seen on a hypercar to date - but that's pretty much what you expect from the folks at Bugatti, isn't it?: BUGATTI – A New Era: Master of Air | Bugatti
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!