One of the largest passenger car internal combustion engines gets no successor and this has just been confirmed by Bugatti boss Stephan Winkelmann in a recent interview where he indicates the end of the 1,500-hp W16.
The most powerful engine in the VW Group is not the most modern. The Bugatti Chiron uses an old-school combustion engine with modern details: 16-cylinder and 8-liter displacement meet double-recharge and a sophisticated cooling system. A powerhouse with titanium exhaust and massive thirst.
When Bugatti introduced the W16 engine, it was unique. In 2005, he made at Veyron as the first Serienverbrenner more than 1,000 hp. Today, a whole segment has developed in this performance class. Many brands are pushing into a market of minimal size. Many of the newcomers in this class achieve the power with the help of electric motors.
Blame are the emissions regulations: “Sooner or later, the legislation will force all to radical steps,” said Winkelmann. They will do everything they can to keep him alive, but have to choose the right moment for a change.
