The Mystery Millionaire Behind Bugatti’s Record-Breaking Mistral
A mystery millionaire with a collection of Bugatti’s record-breaking hypercars has recently played a pivotal role in a historic automotive achievement. This elusive figure, who owns every one of Bugatti’s world record-holding cars, was invited by the French automaker to join the team for a remarkable event—the record-breaking run of the Bugatti Mistral. This collaboration led to what may be the fastest-ever passenger ride.
Bugatti Sets a New World Speed Record
After a five-year hiatus, Bugatti has reclaimed its position at the forefront of speed with the Mistral, setting a new world record. The Mistral, a product of cutting-edge engineering, reached an astounding top speed of 282 mph, officially becoming the world’s fastest roofless car. The previous record was held by the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, which achieved 265.6 mph in 2016. Bugatti’s official test driver, Andy Wallace, piloted the Mistral during its record-breaking run at the ATP Automotive Testing Facility in Papenburg, Germany, on a 7.64-mile oval track.
Mistral’s Record-Breaking Speed in Challenging Conditions
The Mistral’s top speed of 282 mph was an impressive 20 mph faster than its predecessor’s record. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it occurred under challenging conditions—rainy weather and damp tarmac. Despite the moisture-filled air and less-than-ideal track conditions, the Mistral’s engineering excellence allowed it to achieve the record, proving the car’s stability and power.
A Customer’s Car Breaks a World Record
In a truly unique twist, the world-record-breaking Mistral was a customer-owned vehicle, marking the first time in Bugatti’s history that a customer’s car was used to set a world record. The car belongs to the owner of the Singh Collection, a private and prestigious collection that houses some of the world’s most historically significant Bugattis and Ferraris.
The mystery millionaire from India, who has consistently set records with Bugatti, owns all of Bugatti’s record-holding cars, including the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, and the Chiron Super Sport 300+. To celebrate his legacy, Bugatti invited him to Molsheim, France, in 2022 to honor his contributions to the brand.
The Singh Collection’s Mysterious Owner
Although Bugatti has kept the identity of this customer secret, a recent TopGear video revealed his involvement in the record-breaking event. In the video, the mysterious owner can be seen wearing a jacket with the name “Singh” embroidered on it, marking the first time he’s been publicly photographed with his prized Mistral.
The Record-Breaking Mistral and its Special Version
The story behind this record-breaking run goes further: it was the customer’s son who suggested the idea of attempting the record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Rather than creating a limited edition, Bugatti made a unique version of the Mistral specifically for the Singh Collection, priced at €14 million (approximately $14.8 million). After the record-setting run, Bugatti’s Andy Wallace took the customer on another high-speed run, nearly achieving the same top speed. This run unofficially set a new record for the fastest-ever passenger ride.
The Bugatti Mistral: A True Automotive Masterpiece
The Bugatti Mistral is a limited edition roadster based on the Chiron, with only 99 units produced. Introduced in 2022, the Mistral is the final model to feature Bugatti’s iconic quad-turbocharged W16 engine. It is also the first and only convertible from the Chiron era. With 1,578 horsepower generated by its 8.0-liter W16 engine, the Mistral stands as one of the most powerful roadsters ever built.
A Legacy Cemented in Automotive History
The record-breaking achievement of the Mistral not only highlights Bugatti’s unmatched engineering capabilities but also showcases the passion and commitment of the Singh Collection’s enigmatic owner. This event further solidifies his place among the most influential figures in automotive history, and his involvement with Bugatti continues to leave an indelible mark on the luxury car brand’s legacy.
