In the latest episode of Bugatti’s captivating docuseries, “A New Era,” Frank Heyl, the marque’s Director of Design, delves into the intricate world of Bugatti design, focusing on the remarkable Tourbillon. Premiering on YouTube today, this installment promises to be a feast for automotive enthusiasts and design aficionados alike, offering an in-depth look at how speed and timelessness converge in Bugatti’s latest masterpiece.
Frank Heyl, a visionary with a deep reverence for Bugatti’s storied past, offers profound insights into the design philosophy that drives the creation of the Tourbillon. “With over 115 years of Bugatti history, there is a rich legacy of design DNA that we can reference to; we have a guiding line emphasizing what defines a Bugatti,” Heyl explains. At the heart of this philosophy lies a simple yet profound principle: form always follows performance.
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Every element of the Tourbillon, from its aerodynamic curves to its meticulously crafted panels, is designed to achieve unprecedented levels of performance. The car’s architecture is a testament to Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of speed, with each design decision made to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. Whether aiming for top speed or maximizing downforce, the guiding question remains: does it serve a performance purpose?
This meticulous attention to engineering detail enables the Tourbillon to harness the forces of traveling at over 400 km/h. However, for Bugatti, performance is only part of the story. Timelessness is the essence of the Tourbillon’s design. “Bugatti is about the interplay between elegance and speed,” Heyl notes. “Because these cars are around for so long, we also need to keep them current and in-vogue. What dates a car is the technology of the time it was created in; 100 years from now, today’s technology won’t be cutting-edge anymore. Instead, we need to focus on preciousness.”
Drawing inspiration from the art of watchmaking, the Tourbillon’s cabin embodies a unique analogue experience, reminiscent of century-old timepieces that remain treasured today. This focus on timelessness ensures that the Tourbillon, like all Bugatti vehicles, transcends the eras it passes through.
For Heyl and his design team, the experience is paramount. The Tourbillon is crafted to evoke a deep emotional response from the driver. “The experience – that is what we tailor-made the Tourbillon to evoke. It is about how you feel when you sit in the driver’s seat; touching the aluminum switchgear; how weighted the dials are when you turn them; the smell of the leather; the noise of the naturally aspirated, 9,000 RPM V16 engine. It sounds really emotional,” Heyl shares.
While the Tourbillon’s design can be seen as an evolution, its execution is radically innovative. This approach aims to provide an unparalleled experience of driving, owning, and living with a Bugatti. As Heyl passionately concludes, “You simply have to experience it.”
Catch the full episode, “A New Era: Design Philosophy,” on Bugatti’s official YouTube channel today and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Bugatti’s design excellence.
