![]() Operating beyond the known best standard in any field is incredibly tough new battle lines had to be drawn. With a name honoring Louis Chiron, Bugatti’s grand prix driver in the 20s and 30s who cleaned up at virtually all the major races he contested behind the wheel of their cars, the stakes were raised even higher. ![]() The actual term "Mistral," and what inspired Bugatti to name their ultimate roadster after it, is that in the old Occitan dialect of Languedoc, it means "Masterly." Most importantly, despite the fact that the Mistral wind can bring sudden storms with it, for the most part it accompanies clear skies and fresh weather, which is what you want when you're roaring down the French motorways with the top down!ĩ9 units of the Mistral will be made, with all build slots already sold at a staggering €5 million each, before any personalization. They are also a "ceaseless wind," in that they are constantly blowing, all day, all night, every day of the year, due to the unique topography of the Western coast of France. These winds will often exceed 40 MPH (65 KPH) sustained, and can blow as hard as 115 MPH (185 KPH) in the Winter and Spring. ![]() Yet.Īs to the name of the model line, the Mistral is named after the fierce NorthWesterly wind that blows down from Southern France into the Gulf of Lion in the Northern Mediterranean. Using all of that knowledge, Bugatti markets the Mistral, and has a very good reason to do so, as "the fastest roadster in the world." To run down why, it's simply because the W16 will be turned up to 1,600 PS (1,578 HP), through a bespoke 7-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission to all four wheels, and with the top will howl through 200 MPH. Despite appearances, it is not simply a roadster version of a Chiron, but an entirely new design based on research and development done during the Chiron's lifetime, especially the Super Sport and Bolide. Some might say it’s an appropriately gruesome name choice, too the bull is infamous for killing a matador in 1914.Also known as the 2024 Bugatti W16 Mistral, the Mistral has the distinction of being the final model line to carry the now-legendary 8.0L quad-turbocharged W16 that started with the Veyron. Lamborghini Veneno (2013)Īn over-the-top pantomime on wheels, the Aventador-based Veneno and Veneno Roadster (pictured) were named after an appropriately fast and strong bull. Click here to read more about Lamborghini’s SUV announcement. A fitting name for a bulky, muscular SUV. The Urus (or Auroch by another name) is a giant ancestor of modern cattle, measuring an enormous 1.8 metres across the shoulders. If Lamborghini sticks with the concept’s Urus name for its production 4×4, it won’t be breaking with tradition. Click here to read CAR’s review of the latest Lamborghini Aventador SV. A good or bad thing, depending on your point of view. The successor to the Murcielago, it’s better in almost every way and lacks some of the older car’s scare factor. The latest in the line of V12 Lamborghinis is named after a successful fighting bull from the early 1990s. Likewise, the four-door Estoque concept of 2008 was named after the estoc, a sword traditionally used by matadors. A ‘sharp’ model that turned into a best-seller (of sorts) with 1227 sold between 19. The means a matador’s sword in Spanish and is often referred to the bullfighter himself. The Espada was born from Lamborghini’s desire to introduce a luxurious four-seater in his line-up (Ferrucio was always more of a GT man at heart than a supercar fan). The Islero was perhaps one of the less loved Lambos and the Urraco’s lack of sales success brought the company to its knees. Lamborghinis Islero (1968 – 1969) and Urraco (1972 – 1979)īoth the Urraco and the Islero (pictured above) take their names from a bullfight during which the Urraco-bred Miura bull killed a famed matador. The age of the supercar (a term put into popular parlance by CAR’s LJK Setright) had arrived. The mid-engined Miura redefined the concept of a sports car with its transverse-mounted V12, 170mph-plus top speed and lithe, Ford GT40 influenced styling. The short name, applied to the fiercest and most powerful bulls, was just what Ferruccio needed to describe his engineers’ ground-breaking creation. It’s not a surprise that the Miura family were proud when they found out that Lamborghini had named a car after their line of bulls.
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