THE GOOD LIFE Motoring


else do it first.” I’m like, “No, [we should] do things like that first.”’ The Tourbillon is also claimed to be the


first car with an audio entertainment system that does not require speakers. Instead, sur- faces inside the car – such as the door pan- els – are resonated, so that they act like speakers. Rimac believes this does not just result in a better sound system but also saves both weight and space. The approach he wields at the helm of


Bugatti in 2025 is something of a throwback to the Bosnian-born Rimac’s teenage years as a multiple winner of electronics innova- tion competitions. Wanting to go racing at 18, in 2006, he bought a 1984 BMW 323i, blew up its petrol engine and replaced it with a fork-liſt truck electric motor and batteries. Other racers joked he was competing in a washing machine. Until he started winning. Rimac Group, the company that owns 55 per cent of Bugatti, was founded in 2009 and initially had 10 staff. The business has since become a leading force in the development, production and supply of battery systems, drivetrains and other EV components for the auto industry, helping it to grow to 700 people and annual revenues of £75 million.


The business also produces its own cars,


such as the Rimac Nevera electric hypercar, which was launched in 2018 as the produc- tion version of a concept presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. (Interestingly, Rimac reveals during our conversation that there are no plans at all for a Bugatti EV.) It was around the time of the Nevera’s launch that VW approached Rimac to explore a new vision for the next chapter of Bugatti, which would be led by a new generation of hybrid hypercar. A deal was done that laid the foun- dations for the business that exists today. Following the departure of VW, the situa- tion is complex. Rimac Group holds 55 per cent of the shares in Bugatti (which is actual- ly called Bugatti Rimac), while Porsche AG holds 45 per cent. Mate Rimac retains a 35 per cent shareholding in Rimac Group, Por- sche has 22 per cent, Hyundai Motor Group 11 per cent, and other investors 32 per cent between them. But, to all intents and pur- poses, Mate Rimac calls the shots at Bugatti. As he developed his vision for the future


of the business, Rimac and his team visited a watchmaking factory in Switzerland. Dur- ing the visit, while inspecting mechanical components, a moment of inspiration came


The Tourbillon has the classic Bugatti curves and design touches – but speakers are nowhere to be found...


A COMBUSTION


ENGINE NEEDS TO BE AS EMOTIONAL AS POSSIBLE, AND AN EMOTIONAL COMBUSTION ENGINE IS NATURALLY ASPIRATED


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