Bugatti’s Tourbillon already marks a sharp new chapter for the brand, but Mate Rimac has suggested the story may not stop with the car we’ve seen so far.
The Bugatti Rimac chief has hinted at the possibility of a lighter, simpler take on the V16-powered hypercar, and even left the door open to a proper manual gearbox.
That’s a striking idea for a modern Bugatti, not because the brand lacks performance, but because it points toward a different kind of performance altogether.
At a glance
- Mate Rimac has hinted that Bugatti could explore a lighter, simpler version of the Tourbillon.
- A manual gearbox has been discussed as a possibility, which would mark a notable shift for a modern Bugatti hypercar.
- No production model has been confirmed, so this remains a future-facing idea rather than an announced release.
The Tourbillon is being treated as more than one car
Rimac has described the Tourbillon as a platform rather than a single, closed-ended model.
That distinction matters, because it suggests Bugatti is thinking about the architecture as a starting point for future ideas instead of a one-and-done flagship.
He also pointed to the company’s independence as a reason Bugatti can take a longer view and consider more adventurous projects.
“Now with the freedom, having the company independent from any car manufacturer, we can really think long-term and do bold things,” Rimac said. “And we will do lots of cool stuff.”
A manual gearbox would change the Bugatti brief
When asked about the possibility of a manual transmission, Rimac’s response was unusually direct.
“Absolutely. You bet.”
For Bugatti, that would be more than a nostalgic flourish.
The marque’s modern identity has been built around immense power, speed and technical dominance, while a manual gearbox would shift some of the focus back toward driver involvement.
Pairing that idea with a lighter and simpler Tourbillon derivative would make the concept even more interesting.
Rather than chasing a higher output number, such a car would be aimed at feel, response and engagement, qualities that occupy a different corner of the hypercar world.
A bold idea, not a confirmed model
The important caveat is that Bugatti hasn’t announced a lightweight manual Tourbillon.
Rimac is talking about possibilities around the platform and the brand’s future direction, not confirming a production programme, price, timing or allocation.
That restraint is worth keeping in mind, especially with a brand whose concepts can quickly become the subject of collector speculation.
Still, the idea is revealing even at this early stage.
It suggests Bugatti may be willing to broaden the Tourbillon’s character beyond outright numbers, and that a more analogue expression of the car isn’t off the table.
If it happens, a lighter manual Tourbillon would likely speak to a very specific kind of enthusiast, one who wants Bugatti theatre with more mechanical participation from the driver.
For now, the most compelling part is that Bugatti’s new era already seems open to more than one interpretation.
