This Is Where Bugatti Hid The Tourbillon’s Secret Speed Key

Bugatti isn’t exactly known for doing things halfway, and the Bugatti Tourbillon hypercar is no exception. While customer deliveries won’t begin until next year, new details are starting to trickle out as more buyers begin the highly specific (and very, very expensive) process of speccing their cars. One fresh reveal: the Tourbillon’s famous top-speed-unlocking Speed Key has been relocated.

Read: Bugatti Tourbillon Buyer Blew $1M On Options Including A $65K Speedo Cluster

In both the Veyron and Chiron, the Speed Key was tucked into a small slot between the driver’s seat and the door sill. That spot has now been rethought. Thanks to the Tourbillon’s brand-new carbon fiber monocoque, Bugatti has had to rework the layout, and the Speed Key now lives in the center console. Sure, that might sound like the obvious choice, but this is Bugatti we’re talking about, so it’s not just any center console.

Redesigned, the Bugatti Way

Neatly hidden in the C-line that runs through the middle of the cabin, the center console features a pair of flaps that open to reveal a compact storage area. It’s trimmed in what appears to be ultra-premium suede. Inside, there’s space for a large Bugatti badge, which could represent the main key, along with a dedicated slot for the Speed Key itself.

There’s also a small keyhole where the Speed Key must be inserted to unleash the full performance potential of the Tourbillon. With the key engaged, the the Tourbillon can hit its promised top speed of 276 mph (445 km/h).

Bugatti says that without the Speed Key inserted, the Tourbillon is capped at 236 mph or 380 km/h. Of course, that’s more than almost anyone would dare to hit on a public highway, but for those seeking to explore the Tourbillon’s vmax, the Speed Key is needed. For buyers spending seven figures, that kind of theater isn’t just expected, it’s part of the appeal.

Powering the Chiron’s replacement is a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine that revs to 9,000 rpm and produces 986 horsepower on its own. That already outrageous figure is backed up by three electric motors and a 25 kWh battery pack, pushing combined output to a staggering 1,775 hp.

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A post shared by Bugatti Tourbillon Registry™ (@bugattitourbillon.registry)

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H/T to TheSupercarblog

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