A Bugatti Tourbillon prototype was rear-ended by a Volkswagen Polo while undergoing hot-weather testing on a public road in Spain, creating an unusual crash involving a hypercar valued at $4.1 million.
Bugatti Tourbillon Hit on Spain’s Sierra Nevada Highway
A group of auto enthusiasts, including Instagram user @kikisnevada_pgarage, had gathered along the road to watch the camouflaged Tourbillon pass during testing. The prototype was following a Kia crossover traveling at around 25 miles per hour.
Both vehicles stopped at a makeshift traffic signal installed on the two-lane Spanish highway to accommodate road work. The construction stoplight was positioned near the exit of a corner, making it somewhat difficult for approaching traffic to see.
The driver of a Volkswagen Polo failed to brake in time and struck the rear of the Bugatti. The Polo appeared to have been following too closely, while the presence of onlookers may also have distracted its driver from the stopped traffic ahead.
A follow-up post from the Instagram user who originally shared the collision showed the Tourbillon prototype continuing to drive normally after the impact. Reports indicated that the damage was relatively light, with a cracked rear bumper reportedly being the main issue.
Why Was the Bugatti Tourbillon on Public Roads?
Bugatti says production of its 1,775-horsepower, V16-powered hypercar is slated to begin by the end of the year. That means the vehicle involved in the collision was a pre-production prototype undergoing testing rather than a private customer car.
Temperatures in the area over the weekend were hovering around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, providing conditions for testing the vehicle under stress and checking whether its V16 engine, hybrid electric motors and other components could handle real-world conditions.
Because the prototype is likely owned by Bugatti, it is possible the Volkswagen driver will not be financially responsible for the repairs. The relatively low speeds involved appear to have limited the damage, while replacement parts for the pre-production tester would have to come from Bugatti.
That could have allowed the automaker to handle the repairs in-house, although even relatively minor damage to a $4 million car could cost thousands upon thousands of dollars to repair.
Another Tourbillon Mishap Involving Mate Rimac
The crash also adds to a list of mishaps involving the Tourbillon. Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac previously encountered trouble with an early prototype after attempting to drive it through an empty parking lot, where the vehicle became stuck in the snow.
For the Volkswagen Polo driver, the collision turned an ordinary road situation into an especially difficult encounter with one of the world’s most expensive prototype vehicles, although the reported damage to the Bugatti appeared to be limited.
