All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung: 646 HP, Rear-Wheel Drive and Just 30 Examples

September 11, 2026 Francis Mitterrand

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is not simply a more powerful version of the CLE Coupé. It is a comprehensive, hand-built transformation designed around one overriding objective: maximum driving dynamics. With a 646-hp V8 biturbo engine, rear-wheel drive, a significantly widened body, adjustable racing suspension and more than 250 kilograms of downforce at top speed, this road-legal coupé is engineered to feel as convincing on a winding country road as it is on a closed circuit.

Limited to just 30 examples worldwide, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second model in Mercedes-Benz’s exclusive Mythos Series. Every car is comprehensively rebuilt at Mercedes-AMG’s headquarters in Affalterbach, and the entire production run was sold out before the model’s world premiere.

A CLE Reimagined as a Complete Performance System

The project began with an idea inside AMG’s engineering department rather than a conventional product-development brief. A small team initially built a prototype to answer a straightforward question: how far could the CLE be pushed toward maximum driving performance?

The answer was not a collection of optional upgrades. AMG engineers reworked the vehicle as an integrated performance system, combining a more powerful engine, a bespoke chassis, extensive lightweight construction, a wider bodyshell and purpose-developed aerodynamics.

The current Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupé provides the technical foundation, but the Spezialanfertigung is extensively modified. Approximately 170 kilograms have been removed compared with the donor vehicle, while the bodyshell itself has been reinforced and widened. The result is effectively a new performance machine, rebuilt to Affalterbach manufactory standards.

That extensive reconstruction explains the model’s name. “Spezialanfertigung” translates roughly as “special manufacture,” and in this case the designation describes far more than a cosmetic special edition.

646-HP V8 Biturbo with a Flat-Plane Crankshaft

At the center of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is an extensively enhanced version of AMG’s M177 EVO 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine. The model’s name reflects its output: 646 hp (475 kW), with 850 Nm of torque available across a broad engine-speed range from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm.

The engine uses a flat-plane crankshaft, which reduces rotating mass and improves its ability to build revs. AMG has also developed dedicated engine mapping to sharpen throttle response and make the power delivery more immediate.

This is not a power increase designed merely to inflate a specification sheet. The engine has been integrated into a wider package intended to deliver a more responsive and engaging driving experience, particularly when the driver is working through corners and modulating the throttle.

Three Cooling Circuits for Extreme Loads

The V8’s thermal-management system has been enhanced to cope with the demands of intensive racetrack use and high ambient temperatures. It employs three separate cooling circuits:

A high-temperature circuit for the engine.
A low-temperature circuit for charge-air cooling.
A second low-temperature circuit for transmission oil and the 48-volt components.

The system is designed to maintain thermal stability under sustained loads, helping the engine and drivetrain deliver consistent performance rather than merely a brief peak output.

Titanium Exhaust and Akrapovič Collaboration

The V8’s character is reinforced by a bespoke high-performance exhaust system with increased flow capacity and a deliberately emotional sound signature. The cold-end design was developed in cooperation with Akrapovič, while extensive use of titanium contributes to the vehicle’s weight reduction.

The result is intended to preserve the unmistakable AMG V8 soundtrack while supporting the car’s broader lightweight and performance objectives.

Rear-Wheel Drive Replaces AMG 4MATIC+

One of the most consequential changes is hidden beneath the bodywork. The donor vehicle’s AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system has been removed entirely.

The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung sends its power exclusively to the rear wheels. That decision reduces weight, but more importantly, it fundamentally changes the car’s dynamic character. The driver becomes more directly involved in managing the relationship between engine torque, rear-axle traction and cornering attitude.

An electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential varies its locking action to optimize torque distribution between the driven wheels. This improves traction, stability and overall dynamic performance, while also allowing controlled drifting under suitable conditions.

It is a deliberately less forgiving configuration than all-wheel drive, but that is precisely the point. The Spezialanfertigung is designed to provide a more direct connection between the driver and the car.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G and 310 km/h Top Speed

Power is transmitted through AMG’s SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G nine-speed automatic transmission. The torque-converter gearbox combines rapid gear changes with a more relaxed shifting character when the selected drive program calls for it.

Depending on the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT setting, the transmission can deliver sharp, sporty shifts or exceptionally smooth gear changes. It can also execute multiple downshifts in quick succession, allowing the engine to reach its most effective rev range almost immediately.

The Launch Control system has been specifically adapted to the rear-wheel-drive layout. Mercedes-AMG quotes a 0–200 km/h acceleration time of 11.4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 310 km/h.

Those figures are impressive, but the more revealing detail is the drivetrain layout: this is a car designed to make its performance accessible through driver inputs rather than relying exclusively on maximum traction.

A Racing-Inspired Chassis Developed with KW Automotive

The suspension is one of the defining features of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung. Mercedes-AMG worked with KW automotive to develop a steel coilover suspension system that can be precisely tuned for different driving styles, circuits and road conditions.

At its core is four-way adjustable damper technology, with independently configurable:

Low-speed rebound.
Low-speed compression.
High-speed rebound.
High-speed compression.

The low-speed settings influence body movements during braking, acceleration and turn-in. Their performance-focused calibration is intended to deliver sharper handling, improved driver feedback and greater stability.

The high-speed settings address rapid wheel movements caused by bumps, kerbs and surface irregularities. This allows the dampers to maintain control without compromising the car’s ability to absorb demanding road inputs.

The objective is not simply a stiff ride. It is a chassis that can be tuned to provide direct feedback, strong body control, traction and confidence when the car is operating close to its limits.

Ceramic Brakes Designed for Racetrack Abuse

The braking system has been engineered for sustained high loads. The AMG Ceramic High-Performance Composite Braking System includes a dedicated brake-cooling concept developed specifically for the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.

Large air intakes in the front bumper and airflow-guiding elements improve heat dissipation. At the front axle, 420 x 40 mm internally ventilated and perforated ceramic discs are paired with six-piston fixed calipers. The rear axle uses 360 x 32 mm ceramic discs with single-piston floating calipers.

The front discs feature long-fiber technology designed to transfer heat more rapidly from the friction surface into the cooling channels. This helps reduce brake-pad temperatures during demanding braking.

Ceramic construction also reduces weight and unsprung mass compared with a conventional braking system. That benefits more than stopping performance: lower unsprung mass can improve wheel control, turn-in response and the suspension’s ability to follow the road.

The gold-painted calipers provide a visual reminder that this is a braking system designed for extreme performance.

A Body 60 Millimeters Wider at Both Axles

The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung’s proportions are not merely dramatic for the sake of appearance. Its bodywork has been extensively modified to support the car’s performance objectives.

The bodyshell has been reinforced and widened, increasing vehicle width by 60 millimeters at both the front and rear. The wider stance improves stability and cornering potential while creating the space required for exceptionally wide wheels and tires.

Carbon fiber is used extensively throughout the exterior, including:

Widened front fenders with integrated air outlets.
A redesigned front apron with large cooling intakes.
Side sill panels.
A bonnet with a central cold-air intake.
The roof.
The rear apron and diffuser.
A reinforced boot lid.
A manually adjustable rear wing.

The rear side windows and rear window are made from polycarbonate, while a lighter 12-volt starter battery contributes to the overall weight reduction.

The body structure also includes additional reinforcements and an integrated roll-over bar. These measures increase torsional rigidity, providing the foundation for precise suspension tuning and consistent driver feedback under high loads.

20-Inch Wheels with Tires Developed from AMG ONE Technology

The widened carbon-fiber fenders accommodate exclusive AMG Performance forged wheels measuring:

Front: 11.0 J x 20.
Rear: 12.0 J x 20.

They are fitted with exceptionally wide tires measuring 305/30 ZR20 at the front and 335/30 ZR20 at the rear. The tires are based on a further development of technology originally created for the Mercedes-AMG ONE.

Their design remains exclusive to the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, reinforcing the car’s position as a limited-production performance flagship rather than a conventional CLE variant.

The suspension also lowers the car by 22 millimeters at the front axle and 16 millimeters at the rear, giving it a lower center of gravity and a more purposeful stance.

A Two-Tone Finish for a One-Off Presence

The exterior design is finished in a distinctive two-tone combination. The front section is painted Mojave Silver Magno, while the bodywork from the B-pillar rearwards is finished in Obsidian Black Magno.

AMG crests on the driver’s and passenger’s doors emphasize the car’s bespoke character. The enormous grille, wide fenders and extensive exposed carbon-fiber elements give the CLE a far more aggressive presence than the standard coupé.

Yet the design is not simply about visual drama. Every major exterior modification serves a technical purpose, from cooling and wheelhouse ventilation to aerodynamic balance and downforce.

Aerodynamics: More Than 250 Kilograms of Downforce

The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung’s aerodynamic package includes a front diffuser, fender louvers, underbody modifications and a manually adjustable rear wing.

The front diffuser can be adjusted between two positions using three fasteners:

Street: intended for road use.
Race: intended exclusively for racetrack operation.

In the Race position, the diffuser creates an inverted-wing profile beneath the front end. It accelerates airflow under the car and generates a Venturi effect, increasing front-axle downforce.

The benefits are intended to be felt through the steering wheel. Increased front-end load improves high-speed stability, turn-in response and steering precision when the car is subjected to high lateral forces.

The center section of the carbon-fiber rear wing can also be manually adjusted to increase rear-axle downforce and achieve the desired aerodynamic balance on a circuit.

Fender Louvers and Underbody Airflow

Open louvers in the widened front fenders improve wheelhouse ventilation while contributing to downforce. An airflow channel next to the headlights directs air through the wheel arches and out through the louvers.

Additional flics mounted on the sides of the front apron optimize airflow, increasing front-axle downforce while also supporting brake cooling.

The aerodynamic work continues beneath the vehicle. The front underbody remains almost fully enclosed, while longitudinal fins in the flat floor locally accelerate airflow and contribute to additional downforce.

Mercedes-AMG states that the complete system generates well over 250 kilograms of downforce at top speed.

That figure is particularly significant because it comes from an integrated package rather than a single large wing. The diffuser, underbody, wheelhouse ventilation and rear wing are designed to work together, balancing aerodynamic load across both axles.

Nine-Stage AMG TRACTION CONTROL

For closed-circuit driving with ESP switched off, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung features AMG TRACTION CONTROL, allowing the driver to select the level of rear-wheel slip support.

The system offers nine stages of adjustment, enabling the driver to tailor the car’s behavior to tire temperature, track conditions and personal preference.

At one end of the spectrum, the system can provide greater assistance in managing the engine’s considerable output. At the other, it allows experienced drivers to operate closer to the handling limit with reduced electronic intervention.

This is a feature that reinforces the car’s central philosophy: the driver should be able to determine how the car responds, rather than simply selecting a generic “Sport” or “Track” mode.

A Lightweight Interior with a Clear Purpose

The interior follows the same uncompromising approach as the exterior. AMG has removed the rear seats and acoustic insulation materials, reduced comfort equipment and simplified the sound system to save weight.

Several drive modes and assistance systems have also been deleted, allowing the number of controls on the AMG Performance steering wheel to be reduced.

The steering wheel itself is covered in DINAMICA microfiber and features a motorsport-inspired flattened shape designed to provide grip and control.

Ultra-lightweight racing bucket seats with pronounced lateral support are fitted as standard. A roll-over bar increases torsional rigidity, while lightweight carbon-fiber door panels complete the interior package.

The optional Performance Package adds six-point harnesses for the driver and passenger, further emphasizing the car’s circuit-focused character.

Hand-Built in Affalterbach

Every Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is hand-built in Affalterbach, based on a CLE 53 platform. The process continues AMG’s long tradition of exclusive manufactory craftsmanship, a tradition associated with iconic models such as the AMG 300 CE 6.0 “The Hammer.”

The extensive reconstruction is central to the car’s identity. This is not a vehicle that simply receives a power upgrade and a set of cosmetic changes on an assembly line. It is comprehensively rebuilt to meet the demands of its unique performance specification.

The Second Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series Model

The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is the second model in the Mercedes-Benz Mythos Series, a collection dedicated to exceptionally rare collector vehicles produced in strictly limited numbers.

It follows the Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, which is limited to 250 examples worldwide and features an open two-seat configuration without a roof or windscreen.

The CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung takes a different approach. It remains a road-legal coupé, but its engineering is directed toward uncompromising racetrack performance.

The result is a vehicle that combines a distinctive appearance, extreme performance and an unusually direct driving experience. With only 30 examples planned and the entire production run already sold out before its world premiere, it is also destined to become one of the rarest modern AMG models.

Verdict: A Road-Legal AMG Built Around the Driver

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung is best understood as a purpose-built performance machine wearing the shape of a luxury coupé.

Its 646-hp V8, rear-wheel-drive layout, four-way adjustable suspension, ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber bodywork and sophisticated aerodynamic package are not isolated upgrades. They are parts of a single concept designed to make the car more precise, more responsive and more involving.

At a time when high-performance cars increasingly rely on all-wheel drive, complex electronic systems and additional weight to deliver speed, the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung takes a more focused approach. It removes weight, narrows the gap between driver and machine, and gives the rear axle a central role in the driving experience.

The result is an exceptionally rare AMG that promises to be as memorable for its engineering philosophy as it is for its performance figures.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung key specifications

Specification	Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung
Engine	4.0-liter V8 biturbo
Power	646 hp (475 kW)
Maximum torque	850 Nm
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G, 9-speed automatic
0–200 km/h	11.4 seconds
Top speed	310 km/h
Weight reduction	Approximately 170 kg
Front tire size	305/30 ZR20
Rear tire size	335/30 ZR20
Front ceramic brake discs	420 x 40 mm
Rear ceramic brake discs	360 x 32 mm
Downforce at top speed	More than 250 kg
Production	30 examples worldwide
Build location	Affalterbach, Germany

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Motorcycles

Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster Is a 130-HP Titanium-Framed Masterpiece Limited to 300 Bikes

September 10, 2026 Francis Mitterrand

Aston Martin has finally taken its motorcycle collaboration with Brough Superior onto the public road. The new Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster is the first road-legal motorcycle created by the two historic British performance brands, combining Aston Martin’s unmistakable design language with Brough Superior’s exotic engineering and obsessive approach to lightweight construction.

Following the track-only AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro, the AMB 002 Roadster represents the next chapter in a collaboration that has already produced two of the most visually dramatic motorcycles of recent years.

But this time there is a crucial difference: the AMB 002 is designed to be ridden on the road.

Limited to just 300 individually built motorcycles, the AMB 002 Roadster brings together a 1083cc V-Twin engine, 130 horsepower, 110 Nm of torque, a 5-kg titanium frame, carbon-fiber bodywork and Brough Superior’s unusual Fior front suspension. With a claimed weight of only 190 kg, the result is a motorcycle designed around agility, precision and the sensation of being intimately connected to the road.

Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster: The First Road Bike of the Partnership

The Aston Martin and Brough Superior partnership began with the AMB 001, a track-only motorcycle unveiled in 2019. It was followed by the even more extreme AMB 001 Pro in 2022.

Both motorcycles established the visual and engineering philosophy of the collaboration: extremely low weight, exotic materials, unconventional chassis technology and styling that looks closer to a piece of modern sculpture than a conventional superbike.

The AMB 002 Roadster takes that philosophy in a different direction.

Rather than focusing exclusively on outright track performance, the new motorcycle has been developed specifically around the experience of riding on public roads. Brough Superior says the engine has been tuned to deliver strong low- and mid-range torque, while the chassis has been engineered to provide precision without sacrificing confidence.

That makes the AMB 002 a rather different proposition from simply turning a track bike into something road legal.

It is an entirely new motorcycle.

Aston Martin and Brough Superior say the AMB 002 was designed and engineered from scratch, with no compromise or carry-over componentry from earlier models.

Aston Martin Design Language on Two Wheels

At first glance, the AMB 002 is unmistakably Aston Martin.

The motorcycle’s proportions are compact and aggressive, while its bodywork uses fluid surfaces and tightly sculpted carbon-fiber elements to create a sense of forward motion even when the bike is standing still.

The design is deliberately minimalist, but there is nothing ordinary about it.

The carbon-fiber fuel tank and side fairings have an almost pebble-smooth appearance, while the bodywork rises toward the rider to create a compact, aerodynamic silhouette. Crescent-shaped gills cut into the motorcycle’s flanks help with engine cooling and airflow, while the delicate wire-style mirror stalks reinforce the impression that every unnecessary gram has been removed.

The result is a motorcycle with an unusually strong visual connection to Aston Martin’s road cars and hypercars.

The brand’s famous side-strake has been reinterpreted for the AMB 002, piercing through the side fairing before extending toward the headlamp. The twin oval exhaust outlets are fitted with ribbed heat sinks inspired by the exhaust finishing details used on the Vanquish, DB12 S and DBX S.

At the rear, a dramatic collection of light blades takes inspiration from Aston Martin’s most extreme machines, including the Vulcan, Valkyrie and Valhalla.

It is a particularly clever approach because the AMB 002 does not simply shrink Aston Martin’s car design and place it on two wheels. Instead, the design team has translated recognizable Aston Martin themes into an entirely different mechanical format.

1083cc V-Twin Produces 130 Horsepower

Behind the visual drama is an equally exotic powertrain.

The Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster uses an all-new 1083cc, four-stroke, water-cooled V-Twin engine producing 130 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque.

Those numbers may not sound outrageous compared with today’s 200-hp-plus superbikes, but outright horsepower is clearly not the primary objective here.

Brough Superior has tuned the engine to provide strong low- and mid-range torque, combined with a smooth and exciting top-end. The goal is an engine that feels responsive and muscular on the road rather than one that demands constant high-rpm use to deliver its performance.

That philosophy suits the AMB 002 perfectly.

With only 190 kg to move, 130 horsepower gives the motorcycle a highly favorable power-to-weight ratio. More importantly, the relatively light mass should make acceleration, cornering and changes of direction feel immediate.

The engine is also manufactured in-house at Brough Superior’s headquarters in Toulouse, France. Its cases are CNC-machined from billet, allowing the engineers to optimize both weight and structural efficiency.

It is an appropriately uncompromising solution for a motorcycle carrying the Brough Superior name.

A 5-Kilogram Titanium Frame

Perhaps the most remarkable engineering detail on the AMB 002 is hidden underneath the carbon-fiber bodywork.

The motorcycle uses an extraordinary titanium frame that weighs just 5 kg.

Rather than using a conventional frame architecture, Brough Superior employs a distinctive backbone design. The titanium structural spine is milled from solid billet and serves as the central element around which the motorcycle is built.

The lightweight frame contributes to the AMB 002’s claimed 50:50 weight distribution.

That balance is reinforced by the motorcycle’s exceptionally low center of gravity. Carbon fiber is used extensively for the body panels and fuel tank, allowing mass to be concentrated around the motorcycle’s center rather than carried high above it.

The final result is a motorcycle weighing just 190 kg.

For a 1083cc performance machine, that is an impressive figure.

More importantly, the low mass should be noticeable every time the rider changes direction. Rather than relying exclusively on engine power to create excitement, the AMB 002’s character is built around its ability to turn quickly, brake precisely and change direction with minimal effort.

Brough Superior Fior Fork Sets the AMB 002 Apart

The chassis technology is just as unusual as the frame.

Instead of conventional telescopic forks, the Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster uses Brough Superior’s distinctive double-wishbone Fior front suspension.

The system separates steering and braking forces while maintaining precise control over the front-end geometry. It is an evolution of the technology developed for the AMB 001 Pro.

This configuration is intended to provide a combination of steering accuracy, agility and high-speed stability that would be difficult to achieve using a conventional fork.

There is another major advantage.

The Fior system has anti-dive characteristics, helping maintain stability under braking. That should be particularly valuable when braking aggressively while the motorcycle is already leaned into a corner.

For a road-focused motorcycle, this is an important distinction. The AMB 002 is not simply about making the rider feel fast; its chassis is intended to make the motorcycle feel predictable and controllable when the pace increases.

The combination of a 5-kg titanium frame, 50:50 weight distribution, low center of gravity and Fior front suspension gives the AMB 002 a technical identity that is distinctly Brough Superior.

Lightweight Construction Is the Real Performance Weapon

There is a temptation to focus on the 130-hp figure, but the AMB 002’s real performance story is its weight.

At 190 kg, the motorcycle is considerably more interested in being light and responsive than in chasing headline horsepower numbers.

That approach also explains the extensive use of carbon fiber, titanium and billet-machined components.

The carbon-fiber bodywork contributes to the low center of gravity, while the titanium chassis structure reduces mass without abandoning structural rigidity. The engine cases are machined from billet, continuing Brough Superior’s aerospace-inspired approach to manufacturing.

This is engineering intended to be appreciated both from the saddle and with the motorcycle parked in a collector’s garage.

Luxury Details Meet Racing Technology

Although the AMB 002 is fundamentally a performance machine, Aston Martin has not ignored the details that define its road cars.

The motorcycle features keyless functionality, a backlit ignition button and a hand-crafted saddle with leather seat pads.

Those elements might appear insignificant next to a titanium frame or an exotic suspension system, but they reinforce the central idea behind the project.

The AMB 002 is supposed to be both a motorcycle and a luxury object.

It is designed for riders who appreciate engineering but also want craftsmanship and exclusivity. In that respect, it occupies an unusual position between a high-performance motorcycle and a collector’s piece.

Only 300 Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadsters Will Be Built

Exclusivity is guaranteed by production numbers.

Aston Martin and Brough Superior will build only 300 examples of the AMB 002 Roadster, with each motorcycle individually constructed.

That limited production run is consistent with the AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro and reflects the amount of specialist manufacturing involved.

A motorcycle with a billet-machined titanium frame, CNC-machined engine cases and extensive carbon-fiber construction is not something that can realistically be produced on a conventional mass-production line.

For collectors, the AMB 002 therefore has significance beyond its performance.

It is the first road-going motorcycle created by the Aston Martin and Brough Superior partnership, making it an important milestone in the relationship between the two brands.

Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster Deliveries Begin in 2027

Initial orders for the AMB 002 Roadster are now being accepted, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027.

That means customers will have to wait before experiencing the new motorcycle on the road, but the AMB 002 is clearly being positioned as a long-term collector and riding machine rather than a conventional showroom product.

Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman describes the project as the realization of a long-standing ambition to create an Aston Martin motorcycle for road use.

That ambition is now reality.

A Motorcycle Designed to Feel Like a Blade

The most interesting aspect of the Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster is that its engineering and styling appear to share the same objective.

The design is sharp without being visually cluttered. The chassis is lightweight without appearing fragile. The engine is powerful without chasing the biggest possible horsepower number.

Everything points toward the same goal: making the rider feel connected to the machine.

Brough Superior President Thierry Henriette describes the motorcycle as creating the sensation of becoming one with a lightweight, precise blade. The upright riding position and unobstructed view over the road are intended to give the rider a feeling of gliding above the surface while retaining complete control.

That is perhaps the best way to understand the AMB 002.

It isn’t trying to be the fastest motorcycle in the world.

It is trying to be one of the most special.

Aston Martin AMB 002 Roadster Specifications

Engine: 1083cc four-stroke water-cooled V-Twin
Power: 130 hp
Torque: 110 Nm
Weight: 190 kg
Frame: Titanium backbone structure
Frame weight: 5 kg
Bodywork: Carbon fiber
Front suspension: Double-wishbone Fior fork
Weight distribution: 50:50
Production: 300 individually built motorcycles
Production location: Brough Superior, Toulouse, France
Orders: Now open
Deliveries: Q3 2027

Source: Aston Martin

News

Mate Rimac Takes Bugatti

September 10, 2026 Francis Mitterrand

After almost three decades under Volkswagen Group ownership, Bugatti has officially entered a new chapter. Porsche has completed the sale of its stake in Bugatti Rimac and the Rimac Group, formally ending the Volkswagen Group’s ownership connection with the legendary French hypercar manufacturer.

The transaction marks the end of one of the most significant chapters in modern Bugatti history. Volkswagen Group acquired the rights to the Bugatti name in 1998, and under its ownership the French marque evolved from a historic automotive name into one of the most recognizable and technologically ambitious hypercar manufacturers in the world.

Now, with Porsche completely out of Bugatti Rimac, Mate Rimac is taking a much more prominent role in the future of Bugatti.

Volkswagen Revived Bugatti in the 1990s

Bugatti’s modern revival began in 1998, when the Volkswagen Group, under then-CEO Ferdinand Piëch, acquired the rights to the historic French brand.

Piëch had ambitious plans for Bugatti. Volkswagen subsequently presented several dramatic concept cars as it explored how to return the marque to the top of the automotive world.

The result was the Bugatti Veyron.

When it arrived, the Veyron fundamentally changed expectations for what a production road car could achieve. Its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine, enormous power output and extraordinary engineering made it one of the defining performance cars of the 21st century.

The Veyron was eventually followed by the Bugatti Chiron, which pushed the formula even further and established Bugatti as one of the world’s ultimate hypercar manufacturers.

For Volkswagen, Bugatti had become much more than a historic name. It had become a technological showcase for the group.

The Birth of Bugatti Rimac

The next major change came in 2021.

Volkswagen Group decided to restructure its ownership of Bugatti, bringing Rimac into the picture. The resulting joint venture, Bugatti Rimac, gave Rimac a 55 percent stake, while Porsche retained the remaining 45 percent.

It was an unusual but potentially powerful combination.

On one side was Bugatti, a brand synonymous with extreme luxury, mechanical engineering and record-breaking internal-combustion engines. On the other was Rimac, a company that had established itself as a leader in high-performance electric powertrains, batteries and advanced vehicle technology.

Porsche played a central role in the arrangement through its ownership position in the Volkswagen Group structure.

Five years later, that relationship has now come to an end.

Porsche Completes Its Exit From Bugatti Rimac

In April 2026, Porsche announced that a consortium led by HOF Capital had agreed to acquire its stake in Bugatti Rimac. Following the necessary regulatory approvals, the transaction has now been completed.

Porsche has sold both its stake in Bugatti Rimac and its 21 percent stake in the Rimac Group.

According to Porsche, the transactions will generate proceeds of approximately €1 billion. Around €250 million of that amount will be used to further finance pension obligations and improve the company’s net cash flow margin.

While Porsche is now leaving the ownership structure, the relationship with Rimac has already produced tangible technology for one of its most important products.

The Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid uses a battery supplied by Rimac, demonstrating that the collaboration was about more than simply ownership structures and corporate transactions.

Mate Rimac Takes Over as Bugatti President

The completion of the deal also brings significant changes to Bugatti’s management structure.

Mate Rimac, founder of Rimac, will become President of Bugatti Automobiles. He replaces Christophe Piochon, who is stepping down from his positions as President of Bugatti Automobiles and Chief Operating Officer of Bugatti Rimac.

The move gives Rimac even greater influence over the future direction of Bugatti.

Marko Brkljacic, formerly Chief Operating Officer of Rimac Technology, will join the Bugatti Rimac management team as Chief Operating Officer.

Meanwhile, current Bugatti Automobiles CEO Hendrik Malinowski will move into the role of Chief Commercial Officer.

The changes suggest that Bugatti and Rimac are entering a new phase in which the relationship between the two companies will become increasingly integrated, while Bugatti itself remains focused on maintaining its unique identity.

The Bugatti Tourbillon Is the First Car of the Rimac Era

The first major product to emerge from the Bugatti Rimac era is the Bugatti Tourbillon.

It is an important car for the brand for several reasons.

The Tourbillon represents Bugatti’s first electrified production model, combining a high-performance internal-combustion engine with an electric powertrain. It is therefore a significant technological departure from the Veyron and Chiron, while still following Bugatti’s traditional philosophy of combining extreme performance with luxury and engineering sophistication.

Before the Tourbillon was revealed, there was considerable speculation that the successor to the Chiron could become a fully electric hypercar.

Given Rimac’s expertise in electric vehicles, the assumption seemed logical.

But Mate Rimac and his team took a different approach.

Rather than turning Bugatti into another electric-only hypercar manufacturer, the company chose a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The decision allowed Bugatti to embrace electrification without abandoning the combustion engine that has been central to the brand’s identity for decades.

That strategy was not entirely unexpected.

When the Bugatti Rimac joint venture was created in 2021, Mate Rimac identified a plug-in hybrid hypercar as one of the objectives within his ten-year vision for Bugatti.

The Tourbillon is the result of that philosophy.

Bugatti Refuses to Abandon the Combustion Engine

The Tourbillon is particularly significant because it demonstrates that electrification does not necessarily mean the end of the internal-combustion engine at the highest level of performance.

Instead, Bugatti has used hybrid technology to enhance its traditional formula.

That distinction matters.

Rimac has demonstrated what is possible with fully electric hypercars, but Bugatti occupies a different position in the automotive world. Its customers expect not only breathtaking acceleration but also mechanical theatre, craftsmanship, exclusivity and a sense of occasion.

The Tourbillon attempts to combine those characteristics with modern electrification.

It is effectively Bugatti’s answer to the question of how a hypercar brand built around enormous combustion engines can move into the electric age without losing its identity.

A New Home for the Tourbillon in Molsheim

The Tourbillon also represents an important milestone for Bugatti’s manufacturing operation.

The brand’s new La Manufacture production facility in Molsheim was created specifically to support the next generation of Bugatti vehicles.

The facility represents a significant investment in the future of the brand and reinforces Bugatti’s commitment to producing its cars in Molsheim, the historic home of the company.

For Bugatti, this is about more than constructing a new factory. It is about combining traditional French craftsmanship with the increasingly sophisticated technology required to build modern hybrid hypercars.

That combination is central to Bugatti’s identity.

What Happens to Bugatti Now?

The end of Volkswagen Group ownership does not mean Bugatti is becoming a conventional Rimac product.

In fact, the opposite may be true.

Bugatti and Rimac have always represented two very different approaches to performance. Rimac’s expertise lies heavily in electric propulsion, batteries, software and advanced vehicle technology, while Bugatti’s appeal is built around luxury, exclusivity, craftsmanship and mechanical engineering.

The challenge for Mate Rimac will be maintaining that distinction while taking advantage of the technology and expertise available through the wider Rimac organization.

The Tourbillon suggests that the company already has a clear philosophy.

Bugatti will embrace electrification, but it will do so on its own terms.

The End of a 28-Year Volkswagen Chapter

Volkswagen’s involvement with Bugatti began in 1998 with Ferdinand Piëch’s ambitious plan to revive one of the world’s greatest automotive names.

It produced the Veyron, one of the most influential performance cars ever built, followed by the Chiron and an entire generation of Bugatti models that transformed the brand into a symbol of automotive excess and engineering ambition.

The 2021 creation of Bugatti Rimac represented another turning point.

Now, with Porsche’s stake sold and the transaction completed, the Volkswagen era has officially ended.

Bugatti is entering its next chapter under much stronger Rimac influence, with Mate Rimac moving into the role of President of Bugatti Automobiles.

The Tourbillon is the first major statement of that new era. It combines a combustion engine with electric assistance, traditional Bugatti craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, and the heritage of Molsheim with the engineering expertise of Rimac.

The biggest question now is not whether Bugatti will change.

It is how far Mate Rimac will take it.

For a company that has already produced the Veyron and Chiron, expectations could hardly be higher.

Source: Bugatti