A year after its reveal, the Bugatti Tourbillon has moved beyond headlines and first impressions. It now reads as a study in proportion, detail, and restraint. For Jan Schmid, Bugatti’s Chief Exterior Designer, and his team in Molsheim, the challenge was not to reinvent the brand but to move it forward with care. The task was to create something recognizably Bugatti that also belongs to the future.
Every decision began with proportion. The horseshoe grille, the centerline, and the Bugatti Line are long-standing markers of the brand, but each was reinterpreted for new mechanical and aerodynamic needs. The car had to integrate an electric front axle, new cooling systems, and a hybrid layout without losing its identity.
The horseshoe grille sits lower and wider than before, giving the car a planted stance. Even the number plate, often an afterthought, was shaped into the design so it does not interrupt the form. Above it, a single centerline runs from nose to tail, recalling the riveted spine of the Type 57 SC Atlantic. It ends in a fine brake light tucked into the fin. Small details like this explain how the car links past and present through precision rather than decoration.
From the side, the Tourbillon carries much of its character in proportion. The Bugatti Line sweeps around the cabin and folds forward again, dividing the duotone paint and giving the car a sense of motion even at rest. The body narrows through the waist and builds over the haunches, creating tension between lightness and strength. The flying fenders above the headlights are more than sculpture. They channel air beneath and over themselves to feed the radiators, a simple example of beauty shaped by purpose.
Schmid often points to the rear fender as his favourite element. Its surface came from long work in reflection and light rather than from a computer model. It recalls the strength of the Veyron’s haunches but with a more athletic proportion. The Tourbillon feels grounded without being heavy.
Much of the project was about editing rather than adding. Although it shares its footprint with the Chiron, the Tourbillon sits lower and finds space for hybrid components and usable luggage. It works because design and engineering were developed together from the beginning. The result is a car that feels composed and natural.
That mindset extends beyond the car. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon watch was created as its mechanical twin. The most obvious connection lies in the subdials, which mirror the car’s instrument panel. The case follows the shape of the grille and side inlets, while sapphire openings on each side recall the car’s windows. Inside, an automaton reproduces the motion of the Tourbillon’s V16 engine, complete with tiny exhaust manifolds. It is not a marketing exercise but a continuation of the same design conversation.
The design story also reflects where Bugatti stands as a brand. Its presence is strongest in the United States, the Middle East, and across Asia, where a new Shanghai showroom marks a growing market of collectors. The Tourbillon fits that moment. It is elegant and confident rather than loud, designed for people who value proportion and craftsmanship over display.
Seen a year later, the Tourbillon feels calm and assured. It is the product of designers who work by observation and intent rather than statement. Every line has a reason, every surface a purpose. The car represents not a radical shift for Bugatti but a refinement of what it already does best.
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