THE W16 MISTRAL “BLANC ÉTERNEL”
Through Bugatti Sur Mesure, the sculptural form of the Bugatti W16 Mistral becomes a unique canvas, shaped by the most exquisite expressions of artistic creativity and artisanal perfection. As a one-of-a-kind piece that combines the precision of digital design with meticulous craftsmanship and the centuries-old expertise of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Berlin, the W16 Mistral “Blanc Éternel” embodies this philosophy through its unique, exceptionally sophisticated design.
The story of “Blanc Éternel” began 15 years ago and represents a defining milestone in Bugatti’s modern history. In collaboration with the Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Berlin, Bugatti created “L’Or Blanc”—a porcelain-inspired version of the Veyron Grand Sport and one of the earliest expressions of the brand’s highly personalized approach to automotive design.
Exactly fifteen years later, Bugatti and KPM Berlin are revisiting this shared history to mark the end of the W16 era. But rather than simply adopting the famous aesthetics of the “Reflection Line,” the design teams wanted to take the concept a step further: they pay homage to its origins while also showcasing how the design process at Bugatti has evolved.
“The W16 Mistral ‘Blanc Éternel’ is so extraordinarily beautiful because every line and every material serves a purpose. Our commitment to this unique commission led us to delve deeply into the essence of the Veyron Grand Sport ‘L’Or Blanc’ and to continue the next chapter of this partnership through the entirely digital design language of the W16 Mistral. Bringing this concept to life required close collaboration between our Bugatti design team in Berlin and the experts and management at KPM. “‘Blanc Éternel’ honors Bugatti’s history without being constrained by it, and connects our heritage with individual taste in an entirely new way. That is the beauty of ‘Sur Mesure’: creating something authentic and timeless that could belong to no one else.”
– Frank Heyl, Design Director at Bugatti
Delicate black lines trace the underlying digital surface layout of the W16 Mistral, flowing across the body and revealing the geometric logic behind its seemingly effortless form. In this exquisite interplay of design and duality, the striking contrast between black and white reflects the clear visual language of digital modeling, while the name “Blanc Éternel” evokes both the timeless beauty of pure white porcelain and the W16’s enduring place in Bugatti’s history.
The resulting creation serves as a fitting conclusion to an unparalleled era in automotive engineering. The Veyron 16.4 established the W16 as an automotive icon; the W16 Mistral embodies its final incarnation for the road. “Blanc Éternel” brings together the beginning and the culmination of this journey through a shared tribute to design, craftsmanship, and porcelain.
The result is a complex paint composition that requires a great deal of patience and an intuitive sense of how each line must flow across the vehicle’s three-dimensional form. While the digital creation of the design may have changed the way the vehicle is conceived, its physical realization continues to rely on the skill and judgment of Bugatti’s artisans.
“The combination of delicate porcelain and the uncompromising power of a hypercar once again proved to be an extraordinary creative challenge. With the utmost care and precision, the body accents and decorative elements of the ‘Blanc Éternel’ were crafted with great finesse. Refining such a delicate material for use in a vehicle of this performance class represents a remarkable feat of craftsmanship.”
– Thomas Wenzel, Creative Director at KPM
Porcelain details, created in collaboration with KPM, add accents of immaculate white to the overall design. They can be found in numerous places on the body, including the EB emblem, the gas and oil caps, and two inlays integrated into the engine cover featuring the KPM Berlin logo—the royal scepter.
Porcelain also plays a central role in the driving experience within the cockpit—a material with which occupants physically interact every time they enter the cockpit. The speaker grille, two inlays on the knee pads, the gearshift lever trim, an inlay in the center console, and the window control buttons are crafted from fine porcelain, complemented by elements of the same material integrated throughout the exterior.
To mark the renewal of their partnership, KPM and Bugatti have also created a limited-edition porcelain collection called “Blanc Éternel,” inspired by the one-of-a-kind W16 Mistral. The collection includes the “To-Drive Cup” and KPM’s iconic “Aviator Cup” in two sizes and is limited to 1,000 handcrafted pieces, each of which embodies the shared pursuit of precision, purity, and timeless design that characterizes both brands.
“I am proud and thrilled that, after 15 years, this collaboration has once again brought together two of my greatest passions: porcelain and automobiles. KPM and Bugatti represent the perfect fusion of masterful craftsmanship and technical excellence. Two extraordinary houses, united by a shared pursuit of perfection, which has been brought to life in an extraordinary automotive work of art.”
– Jörg Woltmann, owner of KPM
