Louwman Museum, The Hague, Netherlands
From 10 July to 30 August 2026
The Louwman Museum is celebrating the famous Bugatti W16 all summer long with nine exceptional cars, some of which are one-of-a-kind! Since Bugatti’s rebirth under the Volkswagen Group, the 8-liter W16 engine has been the beating heart of all its models and has powered the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron, as well as all their derivatives, since 2005. Powered by four turbochargers, the W16 initially delivered 1,001 hp, before its power output increased to 1,200, 1,500, 1,600, and even 1,850 hp when running on high-octane fuel in later versions. Before giving way to an all-new naturally aspirated V16 assisted by three electric motors in the upcoming Bugatti Tourbillon, the W16 is the star of an exceptional summer exhibition at the Louwman Museum and is indeed the first exhibit on display.
Archive photos from Automobile-Museums; models and colors may differ from those on display. No reproduction rights without express permission.
Curiously, the story begins with a Lamborghini Diablo. In fact, during the initial design phase, since Bugatti did not yet have a vehicle of its own, a Diablo from sister brand Lamborghini (acquired by Volkswagen at the same time as Bugatti) was extensively modified to house the first version of the W16 and begin testing. Subsequently, another one-of-a-kind model, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 “Prototyp 1”, was fitted with the W16 engine and began a long period of fine-tuning. It’s important to remember that in the early 2000s, no production car (and very few race cars, for that matter) was capable of such performance.
Photo Credit: Louwman Museum; no reproduction rights without the museum’s express permission.
Finally, in 2005, the Veyron 16.4 went into (limited) production. It was named after Pierre Veyron, one of Bugatti’s greatest drivers of the 1930s and 1940s. With 1,001 hp, a top speed of 400 km/h, and a price starting at 1 M€, the Bugatti Veyron created a new class of cars: hypercars! In the Veyron Super Sport, a limited edition of 46 units, the W16 engine delivers 1,200 hp, with an officially measured top speed of 431 km/h, a world record listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Archive photos from Automobile-Museums; models and colors may differ from those on display. No reproduction rights without express permission.
A one-of-a-kind model, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport “Bernar Venet” is based on the Grand Sport “Barchetta” version with a removable roof and features a unique paint scheme designed by French artist Bernar Venet. The Grand Sport Vitesse is equipped with the 1,200 hp engine, and its top speed exceeds 400 km/h. The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse WRC (World Record Car) is a limited edition of 8 units to commemorate this new record.
Photo Credit: Louwman Museum; no reproduction rights without the museum’s express permission.
In 2016, the Chiron (another great Bugatti driver) succeeded the Veyron, and the W16 engine was redesigned to now deliver 1,500 hp, setting a new benchmark in the hypercar segment. After the Swedish automaker Koenigsegg snatched the speed record, Bugatti responded with the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. The Super Sport boasts an additional 100 hp (1,600), and the 300+, derived from it, reclaimed the speed record by breaking the 300 mph (482 km/h) barrier, hence its name, 300+. A limited run of 30 units was built, but their top speed is limited to 440 km/h!
Credit Photo Automobile-Museums (Chiron) et Musée Louwman (Chiron Super Sport 300+), aucun droit de reproduction sans autorisation expresse.
At its unveiling, it was understood that the Chiron would be a coupe; no convertible variant was planned. But in response to pressure from loyal (and wealthy) customers, Bugatti ultimately decided to develop the W16 Mistral. It takes its name from a strong wind that blows in the south of France, a fitting name for this superlative roadster, of which only 99 units were built. Tailored aerodynamics and a distinctive lighting signature also set the W16 Mistral apart; it represents the last production model equipped with the W16 engine.
Photo Credit: BUGATTI AUTOMOBILES S.A.S.