Bugatti could be preparing a radical new chapter in its history, with company president Mate Rimac suggesting that a future supercar could combine a lighter construction with a traditional manual transmission. While the upcoming Bugatti Tourbillon is set to redefine the brand’s performance credentials with a naturally aspirated V16 engine and hybrid technology, Rimac appears keen to explore a different direction for future models.
In an interview with TopGear, Rimac revealed that Bugatti is considering possibilities that extend well beyond the Tourbillon, including the prospect of a genuine manual gearbox in a future high-performance model. For a brand synonymous with extreme power, cutting-edge engineering, and record-breaking speed, the idea of a manual Bugatti would represent a significant departure from its modern approach.
Mate Rimac Wants to Explore New Possibilities for Bugatti
Rimac believes Bugatti’s evolving corporate structure gives the brand greater freedom to pursue ambitious projects. With Volkswagen and Porsche no longer involved in the company’s ownership, Bugatti has an opportunity to develop its own long-term strategy without being constrained by the priorities of larger automotive groups.
That independence could allow the French marque to explore niche supercars designed specifically for driving enthusiasts rather than focusing exclusively on maximum performance figures.
“We are going to do a lot of great things,” Rimac told TopGear, highlighting the opportunities created by the company’s new position.
For Rimac, who has built his reputation around electric performance and advanced automotive engineering, the appeal of a manual Bugatti is particularly intriguing. It suggests that future models could place greater emphasis on driver engagement, offering a more direct connection between the driver and the engine.
Bugatti Tourbillon Could Provide the Foundation
The starting point for these possibilities is the Bugatti Tourbillon, the brand’s next-generation hybrid hypercar. Rather than treating the Tourbillon as an isolated product, Rimac described its underlying engineering as a platform that could potentially support different types of vehicles.
That distinction is important. If the platform can accommodate alternative powertrains, drivetrains, and vehicle configurations, Bugatti could potentially develop a smaller, lighter, and more agile model without starting the engineering process entirely from scratch.
The Tourbillon itself combines an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine with electric motors to produce a combined output of 1,800 horsepower. Its sophisticated hybrid powertrain and dual-clutch transmission are designed to deliver extraordinary performance, but they also add complexity and weight.
A future manual Bugatti would likely require a substantially different approach.
When asked whether a manual transmission could feature in a future Bugatti, Rimac gave an emphatic answer: “Absolutely. You can count on it.”
Although that statement does not confirm a production model or a launch date, it makes the possibility considerably more interesting.
A Lighter Bugatti With a Manual Gearbox?
One potential direction would be to create a more focused Bugatti that prioritizes driving involvement over outright technological complexity.
Such a car could retain the Tourbillon’s V16 engine while abandoning some of its hybrid components and replacing the dual-clutch transmission with a conventional manual gearbox. Removing the electric assistance system and simplifying the drivetrain could significantly reduce weight.
The result could be a supercar with an output approaching 1,000 horsepower, depending on the final engine configuration and tuning.
That would still place the hypothetical model among the most powerful road cars ever equipped with a manual transmission. More importantly, a lighter chassis and a traditional gear lever could give it a distinct character compared with the Tourbillon.
Instead of concentrating solely on acceleration figures and top speed, Bugatti could create a car that rewards driver skill and offers a more involving experience on challenging roads or race circuits.
However, there are considerable engineering challenges. A manual gearbox would need to handle the V16 engine’s substantial torque, while the clutch, cooling system, and drivetrain would have to meet Bugatti’s demanding durability and performance standards.
The exact extent to which the Tourbillon’s existing platform could accommodate such changes remains unknown.
Could Bugatti Build a 1,800-HP Manual Supercar?
Reducing power would not necessarily be the only option. Bugatti could instead explore forced induction or a simplified hybrid configuration to retain a much higher output while developing a manual transmission capable of handling the additional stress.
There is already a notable example of how far this concept can be taken. The Hennessey Venom F5-M pairs a twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 1,842 horsepower with a manual transmission, demonstrating that an exceptionally powerful hypercar does not have to rely on an automatic or dual-clutch gearbox.
A comparable approach at Bugatti would be an extraordinary engineering undertaking, particularly if the company wanted to retain the Tourbillon’s naturally aspirated V16 character.
Turbocharging could increase power substantially, but it would also change the engine’s response and personality. A simplified hybrid system might preserve some electrification benefits, although integrating it with a conventional manual transmission would introduce additional complications.
For now, these remain possibilities rather than confirmed engineering plans. Rimac has expressed interest in the concept, but Bugatti has not announced a specific manual-powered model.
A Different Future for Bugatti
The prospect of a manual Bugatti reflects a broader question about the future of high-performance cars: does every new model need to be faster and more technologically sophisticated than the one before it?
The Tourbillon represents one answer, combining a V16 engine, electric motors, and advanced engineering to deliver 1,800 horsepower. A lighter manual model could represent the opposite philosophy, emphasizing mechanical interaction and a more intimate driving experience.
Such a car would also give Bugatti an opportunity to appeal to collectors seeking something fundamentally different from today’s increasingly automated hypercars.
Whether the company ultimately chooses a naturally aspirated V16, a turbocharged configuration, or a more limited hybrid system, the central idea is compelling. A manual Bugatti would not need to outperform the Tourbillon to justify its existence. It would need to offer a different kind of experience.
For now, the next-generation Tourbillon remains the immediate focus, but Rimac’s comments suggest that Bugatti’s future could be more diverse than its flagship hypercar alone would indicate. If the company follows through on his promise, enthusiasts may eventually have an opportunity to experience one of the world’s most exclusive automotive brands in a refreshingly old-school way.
Source: Bugatti