The Short And Intriguing History Of V-16 And W-16 Engines

The Short And Intriguing History Of V-16 And W-16 Engines

The Short And Intriguing History Of V-16 And W-16 Engines

Summary

  • Luxury vehicles within the Twenties popularized bigger V-8, V-12, and V-16 engines.
  • V-16 engines had been highly effective and easy however pricey to provide in early 1900s vehicles.
  • Marmon’s V-16 debut rivaled the V-12, whereas Cadillac’s W-16 made the V-16 much less common.

The manufacturing of vehicles began life with comparatively small engines, however as luxury cars emerged within the Twenties, carmakers started creating bigger V-8 and V-12 engines. Some corporations even went so far as to create huge V-16s. Along with the larger and bigger displacement V-12 and V-16 engines got here the W-12 and W-16 variations, nonetheless unpopular they had been just because when one got here out onto the market, the opposite needed to give it a go as effectively.

Although these engines delivered decrease vibration, thus rising consolation contained in the cabin, they usually produced as a lot energy as a V-8 or V-12 engine, whereas being notably dearer to provide. As a consequence, they had been not often utilized in vehicles, which is a disgrace as a result of they ran so easily – a V-16 eliminates gaps within the energy pulse by having three cylinders within the prime place always. The V-16 debuted in manufacturing street vehicles within the United States within the early Thirties as a consequence of a tech warfare between Marmon and Cadillac.

Both corporations wished to be the primary to provide a working V-16 engine that they might use in a brand new street automotive that they had popping out. Since the upcoming V-12 was the engine within the limelight and the one one which had the eye of the media when the V-16 was launched beneath the hood of the brand new mannequin, the general public, media, and even the lower-level Cadillac salespeople and workers had been caught solely abruptly. The V-16 was a brand new engine constructed to propel a brand new mannequin to the highest of the meals chain in 1930 and past. Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the brief however intriguing historical past of V-16 (and W-16, for that matter) utilizing vehicles under.

UPDATE: 2024/03/19 10:56 EST

The V-16 and W-16 engines have been round for many years and have discovered a spot in lots of our hearts. The W-16 might have reached the top of its stint in manufacturing vehicles, however the V-16 will proceed. Because of that, we’ve determined to refresh and replace this record moderately than letting it get misplaced within the wasteland of previous items floating round on the web. Keep checking again right here for extra updates and contemporary info.

In order to provide the newest and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Hemmings, Car And Driver, Hagerty, ScorchingCars, and Top Gear.

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Cadillac And Marmon Built The First V-16 Production vehicles

After the Packard Motor Company launched the mighty V-12 in 1915 after which retired it in 1923, the eight-cylinder engine was probably the most highly effective choice so that you can purchase. For the time interval, an engine producing beneath 100 horsepower was not one thing to look down upon, so when the concept of a extra highly effective V-16 got here up, the engineers at Cadillac went to work. Unfortunately for them, the top engineer at Marmon, Owen Nacker, was effectively forward of them in designing the brand new engine kind. So, when he provided to betray his present firm to work for Cadillac, the historical past books had been modified for good.

1930 Cadillac Series 452

A 1930 Cadillac Series 452 V-16 Roadster
Mecum Auctions

Cadillac, a producer of more than a few obscure models over the years, was capable of introduce the 1930 Cadillac Series 452 in January of ’30, whereas with the lack of their prime engineer,Marmon fell behind and launched their model, a more powerful V-16, in November 1930. The firm’s new range-topping mannequin, the Series 452, featured a slim 45-degree V-16 with an overhead valve, a structure impressed by the Marmon engine. The huge 7.4-liter mill tipped the scales at a whopping 1,300 kilos and delivered 175 horsepower.

Performance Specifications

Engine

7.4-liter V-16

Horsepower

175 horsepower

Torque

271 pound-feet

Transmission

Three-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

5,300 kilos

0-60 MPH

24 seconds

Top Speed

100 MPH

The automotive attracted rave evaluations from the media and the general public within the United States, so Cadillac despatched 5 vehicles on a promotional tour in Europe that included 24 cities in 10 nations. The Cadillac V-16 was an enormous success in 1930, with no fewer than 2,000 vehicles bought by June. But because the Great Depression hit the United States, demand dropped dramatically over the next months. Cadillac ultimately bought lower than 4,000 by 1937, when Cadillac launched a brand new V-16 engine.

1931 Marmon Sixteen

A parked 1931 Marmon Sixteen on display
Mecum

Founded as a producer of flour grinding mill tools in 1851, Marmon began constructing vehicles within the early 1900s. By the 1910s, Marmon was already well-known within the United States. Word has it that Marmon Howard received the concept whereas in France throughout World War I. Deployed there to steer the American Air Corp Technical Team, Marmon studied Bugatti’s U-16 jet fighter engine and introduced his concept of a V-16 design to engineer Owen Nacker in early 1920. A single crankshaft, overhead valve V-16 with reverse circulate outboard consumption and exhaust manifolds was finished by late 1926 earlier than Nacker was recruited by Cadillac.

Following Nacker’s departure, Marmon altered the engine’s design to incorporate fork-and-blade connecting rods, a central camshaft, a twin downdraft carburetor, an aluminum crankcase, cylinder blocks, and cylinder heads.

Performance Specifications

Engine

8.0-liter V-16

Horsepower

200 horsepower

Torque

380 pound-feet

Transmission

Three-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

4,800 kilos

0-60 MPH

20 seconds

Top Speed

100+ MPH

The engine debuted within the Marmon Sixteen in 1931, a 12 months after Cadillac launched its personal model. Although he narrowly missed being the primary to launch a manufacturing V-16, Marmon takes credit score for designing a extra trendy mill that weighed lower than 1,000 kilos and generated 200 horsepower. The V-16 was additionally the biggest produced, with a displacement of eight liters. The Marmon Sixteen was made for 3 years in small numbers. Marmon provided a wide range of physique types, together with sedans, coupes, and convertibles.

1938 Cadillac Series 90

A parked 1938 Cadillac Series 75 Limousine on display
Sicnag by way of Wikimedia Commons

While Marmon went bankrupt throughout the Great Depression and the Sixteen disappeared after solely three years, Cadillac’s V-16 automotive lived lengthy sufficient to function a second-generation engine. Although it bought solely 50 models a 12 months from 1935, Cadillac determined that its range-topping mannequin, now renamed the Series 90, wanted a brand new engine for 1938. And in contrast to the primary V-16, the brand new engine marked a return to Cadillac’s extra conventional flathead design and featured a wider 135-degree angle. It additionally included twin carburetors and twin gas pumps.

Performance Specifications

Engine

7.1-liter V-16

Horsepower

185 horsepower

Torque

318 pound-feet

Transmission

Three-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

5,415 kilos

0-60 MPH

21.1 seconds

Top Speed

90 MPH

However, the brand new V-16 was practically silent at idle, the operation was smoother, and it turned the Caddy into one of many quickest accelerating vehicles of its time. The engine additionally returned barely higher gas economic system. But the revised V-16 model wasn’t as popular as the unique automotive. Cadillac bought 315 models in 1938, 138 examples in 1939, and one other 55 earlier than the nameplate was discontinued in 1940.

The Cadillac V-16 was the primary and in addition the final manufacturing automotive with a V-16 engine to emerge within the United States. Cadillac ultimately constructed an idea automotive with a V-16 within the 2000s, nevertheless it by no means went into manufacturing.

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Cadillac And Rolls-Royce Released V-16 Concept Cars

1932 Peerless V-16

A parked 1932- Peerless V-16
Akrasia25 by way of Wikimedia Commons

Before World War II, Marmon and Cadillac weren’t the one American corporations that produced V-16 engines. Peerless also developed one, however similar to Cadillac, it was based mostly on Marmon’s design. That’s as a result of Peerless was joined in 1929 by James A. Bohanon, who had been Marmon’s buying agent for six years. Bohanon introduced his data of Marmon’s V-16 engine to Peerless, which designed an identical engine with a single crankshaft and an aluminum crankcase. However, he went with alloy blocks and heads and didn’t use Marmon’s crossflow design. The engine was lighter than Cadillac’s however heavier than the V-16 that Marmon ultimately launched in 1931.

Performance Specifications

Engine

7.6-liter V-16

Horsepower

175 horsepower

Torque

320 pound-feet

Transmission

Three-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

4,000 kilos

0-60 MPH

13 seconds

Top Speed

100 MPH

But in contrast to its opponents, Peerless did not get to place its engine into manufacturing. Peerless accomplished a V-16 prototype in 1931 and showcased it for the 1932 mannequin 12 months. Unfortunately, the corporate stopped producing vehicles as a result of luxurious automobile gross sales dropped because of the Great Depression. Two V-16 coupes had been within the works at Murphy’s Pasadena physique store when Peerless determined to cease manufacturing. When Prohibition led to 1933, Peerless transformed its automotive manufacturing facility right into a brewery, ending any probability of a Peerless V-16 sooner or later.

2003 Cadillac Sixteen

A parked 2003 Cadillac Sixteen on display
That Hartford Guy by way of Wikimedia Commons

About 63 years after it discontinued its first V-16 automotive, Cadillac revisited the idea for the Sixteen concept. Although GM had the choice to weld a few V-8 crate engines collectively, it will definitely determined to construct a V-16 from scratch. However, the corporate’s engineers did use the 6.0-liter V-8 of the upcoming C6 Corvette as a place to begin, together with its variable cam timing, a primary for a pushrod design, and Displacement on Demand. The latter was an older energetic gas administration system that shut down cylinders to avoid wasting gas beneath low-load situations. It may shut down both 12 or eight cylinders, which led to a mixed gas economic system of 16.6 mpg.

Performance Specifications

Engine

13.6-liter V-16

Horsepower

1,000 horsepower

Torque

1,000 pound-feet

Transmission

Four-speed computerized

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

5,004 kilos

0-60 MPH

4.0 seconds

Top Speed

198.8 MPH

Bugatti, for example, wanted 4 turbochargers to blow previous the 1,000-horsepower mark with the W-16-powered Veyron in 2005. Despite preliminary rumors that the Sixteen would possibly go into manufacturing, it remained only a idea automotive. The Sixteen gave strategy to the now-popular Cadillac XTS, which presents a top-trim sport version with 410 horsepower delivered by a twin-turbocharged V-6. The exterior design of the Sixteen impressed upcoming generations of the CTS sedan and even the Escalade SUV.

2004 Rolls-Royce 100EX

A parked Rolls-Royce 101EX on display
Max Schnitt by way of Wikimedia Commons

One 12 months after Cadillac shocked the world with its huge V-16, Rolls-Royce launched the 100EX idea. A two-door model of a grand tourer coupe constructed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the meeting of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. The 100EX was powered by a 9.0-liter V-16 engine developed by BMW and was constructed on an aluminum space-age chassis borrowed from the 2003 Phantom. The up to date physique styling of the 2004 Rolls-Royce 100 EX was shorter with a lowered roofline, which might be used for styling on the later variations of the Phantom Coupe.

Performance Specifications

Engine

9.0-liter V-16

Horsepower

770 horsepower

Torque

1,100 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed computerized

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

5,577 kilos

0-60 MPH

5.3 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

The firm media contacts said repeatedly that the automotive was not an idea mannequin however moderately an experimental automotive, making it on an all-new, larger taking part in discipline than some other idea automotive to come back earlier than it. The 100EX was adopted by a coupe model known as the 101EX in 2004, which previewed the Phantom Drophead Coupe. The manufacturing mannequin was launched with a V-12 engine as a substitute.

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Mercedes-Benz And BMW Experimented With The V-16

1988 BMW 767iL Goldfisch

The V-16 within the Rolls-Royce 100EX idea wasn’t the primary such engine developed by BMW. The German agency started engaged on its first V-16 as an experimental engine in 1987. Known as Project Goldfisch, the V-16 was really an M70 V-12 engine with 4 additional cylinders. Tested in 1988, the engine was mounted in an E32-generation 7 Series model. BMW went with a 750iL model, often powered by a V-12, and known as it the 767iL. Because the engine was longer than the V-12, BMW was pressured to put in a cooling system within the trunk and large cooling vents within the rear fenders. So not solely did the 767iL look bizarre, nevertheless it had additionally misplaced its practicality with out area within the trunk.

Performance Specifications

Engine

6.7-liter V-16

Horsepower

402 horsepower

Torque

452 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

3,329 kilos

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

175 MPH

The engine was introduced internally by BMW, however the firm determined to cross on the concept. On prime of not being very sensible as a consequence of its measurement, BMW bosses additionally thought of {that a} manufacturing V-16 would begin an “arms race” with different producers, Mercedes-Benz included. Moreover, BMW was already engaged on a beefed-up model of its M70 V-12 engine with 375 horsepower, solely 27 horses under the V-16.

The first-generation Bentley Mulsanne additionally trialed the engine as a attainable improve to the already accessible V-8. Because it featured an enormous, 6.75-liter V-8, the Mulsanne had loads of room for the V-16 and its cooling system in its engine bay, however the venture was shelved, and Bentley continued to make use of naturally aspirated and turbocharged V-8 engines.

1989 Mercedes-Benz 800 SEL

Having discovered of BMW’s Goldfisch venture, Mercedes-Benz started creating its personal V-16 engine. Details on Stuttgart’s plans stay imprecise to this present day. Still, the automotive media reported about an S-Class mannequin with a V-16 engine in early 1989. That’s when Mercedes-Benz was nonetheless engaged on the W14-generation S-Class, which was launched in 1991.

In an era when Mercedes cars were built like tanks, there have been additionally reviews that Mercedes-Benz had constructed a small fleet of 85 prototypes with the V-16 engine, however there is not any proof of their existence except for some engine drawings. The V-16 was reportedly canceled as a consequence of rising concern for local weather safety and concern of sending a mistaken message to the general public.

Performance Specifications

Engine

8.0-liter V-16

Horsepower

680 horsepower

Torque

590 pound-feet

Transmission

Five-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

3,770 kilos

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

Apparently, Mercedes-Benz additionally thought of a W-16 engine for the S-Class. This mill by no means made it previous the blueprint stage, however evidently the engineers in Stuttgart used three 2.6-liter six-cylinder engines to create the W setup. Documents from the corporate’s archives present a model with two valves per cylinder and 490 horsepower and a variant with 5 valves per cylinder and 680 horsepower. Needless to say, it could have created a monster of an S-Class, however it could even have been a packaging nightmare.

2017 Devel Sixteen

A parked 2018 Devel Sixteen
Devel

Heavily impressed by jet fighter designs, it contains a brief, slanted nostril, a canopy-style cabin, and an extended, aerodynamic rear part. Under the hood, the Sixteen hides a quad-turbo V-16 constructed by Steve Morris Engines from Michigan. Upon unveiling the prototype, Devel claimed an influence ranking of round 5,000 horsepower, a dash to 60 mph in simply 1.6 seconds, and a prime pace of about 350 mph.

Performance Specifications

Engine

12.3-liter V-16

Horsepower

5,007 horsepower

Torque

3,757 pound-feet

Transmission

Eight-speed computerized

Driveline

AWD

Curb weight

5,070 kilos

0-60 MPH

1.6 seconds

Top Speed

350 MPH

Although the prototype is absolutely practical, a manufacturing mannequin has but to floor, however Steve Morris Engine launched footage of the engine producing a whopping 5,007 horsepower on the dyno. The journey to create this superior automotive started again in 2017 with a dream. A dream that many individuals gave up on alongside the best way. Thankfully, the folks with the drive and the money continued pushing ahead till the primary prototype was completed and delivered to a Japanese collector in July of 2022. Mission achieved for a really devoted workforce.

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Bugatti And Maserati Raced V-16 Cars

1929 Maserati Tipo V4

A parked 1932 Maserati Tipo V4 on display
Herranderssvensson by way of Wikimedia Commons

One 12 months earlier than Cadillac launched the primary manufacturing automotive with a V-16 engine, Maserati fitted a few of its race vehicles with experimental V-16s constructed from two Alfa Romeo 26B mills right into a single crankcase and switch case. However, they every had particular person superchargers and prototype Weber carburetors mounted by Edoardo Weber himself. The engine displaced solely 4.0 liters and generated a strong 305 horsepower.

Performance Specifications

Engine

Supercharged 4.0-liter V-16

Horsepower

305 horsepower

Torque

NA

Transmission

Four-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

2,315 kilos

0-60 MPH

7.0 seconds

Top Speed

161.6 MPH

The Tipo V4 made its first outing at the Gran Premio di Monza in 1929 however struggled as a consequence of elevated tire put on and lowered braking on the entrance (all because of the heavy twin-engine setup). An upgraded mannequin managed to win the Gran Premio di Tripoli and take third place at Monza and Coppa Acerbo. But the Tipo V4’s most vital achievement was setting a world pace file of 152.8 mph at a particular occasion in Cremona, Italy.

Thirties Auto Union Race Cars

Formed in 1932 by struggling auto producers Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer, Auto Union wished a showpiece venture for the German automotive reveals. The auto Union chair was suggested to satisfy with Ferdinand Porsche, who had simply established a race automotive division. In 1933, Adolf Hitler introduced a state-sponsored racing program for Mercedes-Benz, however he was ultimately persuaded to incorporate Auto Union as effectively. With sponsorship from the German authorities, Porsche went on to develop a mid-engined RWD automotive, a structure that was uncommon on the time. The authentic automotive was known as the Auto Union Type A, nevertheless it was adopted by upgraded fashions named the Type B, C, and D, all of which raced by means of 1939.

Performance Specifications

Engine

6.0-liter V-16

Horsepower

520 horsepower

Torque

651 pound-feet

Transmission

Four-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

1,618 kilos

0-60 MPH

NA

Top Speed

195 MPH

The first vehicles developed round 295 horsepower, however later fashions surpassed the 500-horsepower barrier. Far extra spectacular in look than vehicles from rivals Mercedes-Benz, the Auto Union was additionally aggressive, profitable quite a few races within the European Championship, the collection that preceded Formula One. Auto Union additionally set a number of information, together with a prime pace of 199 MPH with a streamlined automotive with an enclosed cockpit. The Type C was rumored to have the ability to hit 211 mph. Unlike its predecessors, the Type D was powered by a supercharged V-12 engine. Production of Auto Union race vehicles stopped when World War II broke out, and most of the vehicles had been misplaced throughout the conflagration.

1938 Alfa Romeo Tipo 316

As Auto Union moved away from the V-16 engine for the 1938 racing season, Alfa Romeo was making ready to enter a automotive fitted with a 16-cylinder mill within the European Championship. The Tipo 316 was a part of a three-car lineup explicitly designed for the brand new guidelines of the 1938 season. The different two had been the Tipo 308 and Tipo 312, fitted with straight-eight and V-12 engines, respectively. The 316 was based mostly on the 12C, a automotive that Alfa Romeo produced in 1936 and 1937. It had a 7,500 redline and powered the Tipo 316 to a second-place end within the Grand Prix of Italy.

Performance Specifications

Engine

4.1-liter V-16

Horsepower

212 horsepower

Torque

273 pound-feet

Transmission

Four-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

1,664 kilos

0-60 MPH

7.0 seconds

Top Speed

162 MPH

Unfortunately for the producer, the V-16 race automotive may nonetheless not compete with the German race vehicles, inflicting some critical inside conflicts. Numerous folks left throughout and between racing seasons, making it laborious to be a constant participant on the monitor. One of the ultimate straws occurred in 1939 when Farina resigned after the primary laps had been led, creating chaos throughout the race. By the top of 1939, Alfa Romeo misplaced curiosity within the venture because it began engaged on the iconic 158 Alfetta race car.

1951 BRM P15

A parked BRM Type 15 on display
Przemyslaw Jahr by way of Wikimedia Commons

Automakers moved away from the V-16 engine after World War II, however British Racing Motors made one closing try within the early Nineteen Fifties. Seeking the identical success as Auto Union earlier than WW2, BRM got down to create a V-16 engine that might adjust to the brand new Formula One laws. This meant that it needed to displace not more than 1.5 liters. It additionally needed to be supercharged.

The engine was considerably revolutionary, largely as a result of it featured a twin centrifugal supercharger as a substitute of the extra conventional Roots-type unit. Developed by Rolls-Royce, the supercharger design was based mostly on the models utilized in the Merlin aero engine. The design allowed for large energy at excessive revs, nevertheless it additionally meant that the engine produced considerably much less oomph within the decrease vary. Drivers had been thus pressured to maintain the revs inside a really slim energy band, which proved to be the automotive’s important shortcoming.

Performance Specifications

Engine

Supercharged 1.5-liter V-16

Horsepower

525 horsepower

Torque

NA

Transmission

Five-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

1,625 kilos

0-60 MPH

10.5 seconds

Top Speed

170 MPH

The BRM P15 debuted in 1950 in non-championship races and gained the Goodwood trophy. BRM entered the automotive within the Formula One championship in 1951, however the P15 raced in simply certainly one of eight occasions, ending fifth and seventh. BRM ready to race the automotive in F1 in 1952 as effectively, however with Alfa Romeo retired from the collection, and Ferrari left because the dominant pressure, the FIA determined to run the season with Formula Two laws. The P15 did not meet these new laws, so the venture was deserted. The P15 was raced in 5 extra non-championship occasions by means of 1953, scoring second place on the Albi Gran Prix and profitable the Glover Trophy at Goodwood in 1953. The BRM P15 was the final race automotive to function a V-16 engine.

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Bugatti Built The Most Famous W-16 Cars

1995 Jimenez Novia

The W configuration is notably different than the extra acquainted V structure as a result of they function three or four-cylinder banks on the identical crankshaft. When considered from the entrance, the structure resembles the letter W. However, these engines additionally function 16 cylinders, in order that they have a well-deserved place on this record. W-16 engines are notably scarcer than V-16 mills. While the latter made its first look in a automotive in 1930, the W-16 didn’t debut in an car till 1995.

A one-off supercar, it was developed by Ramon Jimenez, a French motorbike racer, as a tribute to the long-lasting Porsche 917. Development reportedly began in 1985 in a small workshop in Avignon, the place Jimenez made his personal carbon-fiber composite panels from scratch. A single automotive was completed in 1995, powered by a 4.1-liter W-16 created by combining 4 Yamaha FZR1000 motorbike engines. The W-16 was rated at 560 horsepower and enabled the Novia to hit a verified prime pace of 236 mph, a file on the time.

Performance Specifications

Engine

4.1-liter W-16

Horsepower

560 horsepower

Torque

319 pound-feet

Transmission

Six-speed handbook

Driveline

RWD

Curb weight

1,962 kilos

0-60 MPH

3.0 seconds

Top Speed

236 MPH

The Novia value Jimenez virtually $900,000, and his preliminary plan was to enter the automotive within the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and put the automotive into collection manufacturing with a value of round $300,000. Both initiatives failed as a consequence of monetary difficulties and the truth that the French authorities mandated {that a} separate chassis be made for crash testing.

2005 Bugatti Veyron

2005 Bugatti Veyron in Black
Bugatti 

Introduced in 2005, the Veyron was the primary collection manufacturing automotive with such an engine. The powerplant was created by becoming a member of two Volkswagen VR8 engines on the crankcase and inserting them on a single crankshaft. Considered a technological marvel, the quad-turbo W-16 in the Veyron debuted with 987 horsepower and 882 pound-feet of torque. However, it was later upgraded to ship 1,184 horsepower.

Performance Specifications

Engine

8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16

Horsepower

987 horsepower

Torque

922 pound-feet

Transmission

Seven-speed computerized

Driveline

AWD

Curb weight

4,167 kilos

0-60 MPH

2.5 seconds

Top Speed

253 MPH

The engine helped Bugatti set a world prime pace file of 253.8 mph with Veyron in 2005 and 267.8 mph with the Veyron Super Sport in 2010. The identical engine was used within the Bentley Hunaudieres, Audi Rosemeyer, and Bugatti 16C Galibier idea vehicles. The Bentley and the Audi featured earlier, naturally aspirated variations of the mill. The Veyron remained in manufacturing for 10 years, spawning a handful of variants and numerous particular version fashions.

2016 Bugatti Chiron

Gold Bugatti Chiron
Bugatti

The Chiron replaced the Veyron in 2016 and continued the legacy of the 8.0-liter W-16. A closely redesigned automotive inside and outside, the Chiron additionally options an up to date model of the quad-turbo W-16. The latter was constructed to have fun a brand new prime pace file achieved with a prototype mannequin at 304.7 mph, making the Chiron the primary manufacturing automotive that broke the 300-mph barrier.

Performance Specifications

Engine

8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16

Horsepower

1,479 horsepower

Torque

1,180 pound-feet

Transmission

Seven-speed computerized

Driveline

AWD

Curb weight

4,389 kilos

0-60 MPH

2.4 seconds

Top Speed

261 MPH

Just just like the Veyron, the Chiron spawned numerous limited-edition fashions, nevertheless it was additionally used as a base for closely modified variations, specifically the one-off La Voiture Noire and the limited-edition Divo and Centodieci. Bugatti plans to construct 500 Chirons earlier than creating a alternative. However, the W-16 shall be discontinued as soon as the Chiron goes into the historical past books.

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Bugatti Discontinues Its Iconic W-16 And Replaces It With… A V-16

The Mistral Will Be The Last Bugatti To Feature A W-16 Engine

Bugatti Mistral Roadster
Bugatti

Bugatti’s plan to say goodbye to its iconic W-16 engine concerned creating a roadster based mostly on the Chiron. However, they wished the open-top Bugatti to radiate a novel identification. Therefore, the automaker developed the Mistral (the title of a wind that blows by means of the Rhone valley to the Mediterranean) from scratch. Company head honcho Emilio Scervo stated as Bugatti by no means meant to have a roadster mannequin on the Chiron lineup, it had to develop the Mistral from the ground up.

Drawing inspiration from previous Bugattis just like the 1934 Type 57 Roadster Grand Rapid, the automaker started designing the platform for the W-16’s final efficiency. The Mistral and the traditional Type 57 share a number of similarities, together with swooping rear aerodynamic parts. Mirroring founder Ettore Bugatti’s love for the black and yellow coloration schemes, the automaker gave the debut W-16 Mistral the colours of a bee.

Most of the work concerned in creating the Mistral concerned designing the automotive to satisfy security requirements and face up to monumental speeds whereas sustaining Bugatti’s design philosophy. Bugatti claims elevated chassis rigidity and used light-weight composite supplies to scale back weight. The automaker additionally added that it built a new advanced air intake system specifically for the Mistral.

The closing Bugatti W16 needed to dazzle the automotive world; the engine needed to sing the best swansong ever heard within the automotive area. Therefore, Bugatti bolted the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+’s engine, probably the most potent W16 mill in automotive use, onto the Mistral’s chassis. With such a strong engine, the Mistral would certainly outperform Bugatti’s final roadster, the Grand Sport Vitesse, which maxed out at 254 MPH, making it one of the fastest Bugattis ever made.

Performance Specifications

Engine

8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16

Horsepower

1,578 horsepower

Torque

1,180 pound-feet

Transmission

Seven-speed computerized

Driveline

AWD

Curb weight

4,400 kilos

0-60 MPH

2.4 seconds (est.)

Top Speed

261 MPH

(Specs: Bugatti)

Bugatti Is Developing A Hybrid V-16 Powertrain Alongside Rimac

In an period when downsizing is in vogue, some might need anticipated Bugatti would ditch the 16-cylinder structure for an engine with fewer cylinders. However, Bugatti did probably the most Bugatti factor ever, saying it could ditch the W-16 for a V-16 that includes hybrid expertise. The automaker posted a clip of the V-16 and its intoxicating tune, thrilling automotive lovers worldwide. With Rimac concerned within the engine’s growth, Bugatti’s subsequent 16-cylinder powertrain could be its most potent but.

Rimac, an electrical hypercar producer, and Bugatti merged to kind Bugatti-Rimac, with the Croatian company holding a 55 percent stake in the company. Company chief government Mate Rimac advised Top Gear that Bugatti’s German owners wanted the next Bugatti to be fully electric. He stated all the corporate would have needed to do was rebadge the Nevera right into a Bugatti. However, he fought in opposition to VW and Porsche’s imaginative and prescient, insisting that upcoming Bugattis needed to have combustion engines with hybrid tech.

Mate Rimac gained, which signifies that for the foreseeable future, Bugattis can have hybrid powertrains. He stated that the subsequent Bugatti can be solely new, sharing no parts with past Rimacs or Bugattis. Despite listening to the rumble of the upcoming V-16 engine, we have not obtained detailed details about it – there is not any phrase on horsepower and torque figures, engine capability, cylinder rely, or variety of turbos. Mate Rimac promised, nonetheless, that we’d be stunned.

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Bugatti’s W-16 Is Dead, But It Just Set A World Record

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Electrification Gives The 16-Cylinder Engine A New Lease Of Life

Bugatti V-16
Bugatti

Let’s face it: we reside in an period when automakers can no longer make cars like the Chiron that get 9 MPG. In early 2020, former Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann tried to hype the W-16’s future, saying the quad-turbocharged mill would stick around for many years. However, the compact W-16 is dealing with the chopping block, quickly to get replaced by the longer V-16.

Bugatti May Reveal The New V-16 Engine In June 2024

Bugatti’s introduction of its V-16 was very brief – it lacked technical info and gave few clues about Bugatti’s upcoming creation. However, the press launch stated that the new car would be an evolution of the current Bugatti lineup. The automaker additionally gave a tentative premiere date for the Mistral’s successor: June 2024. Despite the restricted details about the powertrain, we anticipate it to function hybrid expertise.