Even with the high price tags, Bugatti fans are not afraid to order one-off cars they get to spec with the designers in the automaker's Sur Mesure division. The latest of these 'pricing not publicly available' cars is the W16 Mistral 'Fly Bug'. This isn't the first time we've seen a 'Bugatti Bug'. Someone commissioned a ladybug-inspired one not too long ago.
In fact, the “Fly Bug” comes after the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse “Hellbug,” the Chiron “Hellbee,” and the Divo “Lady Bug,” extending a collection united by inspiration drawn from the natural world. (Why does that sound like a clue that all these cars belong to the same 'bug-loving' Bugatti fan? )
For this latest model, Bugatti looked to the dragonfly, a creature associated with iridescent beauty, agility, and quiet elegance. But that depends on who you ask. Many of us simply find them annoying pests, but let's ignore that for a second. The owner sees it as a fitting muse for the W16 Mistral, a car that pairs jaw-dropping performance with a graceful visual presence (never mind the signature Bugatti 'heavy look').
According to the press release, the project began with a personal exchange between the collector and Frank Heyl, Bugatti’s Head of Design. The team's challenge was to ensure it belonged to the broader story established by the owner’s earlier cars while creating a distinct new commission.
That continuity appears most clearly in the exterior treatment. For the “Fly Bug,” Bugatti created an ellipse pattern that spreads across the bodywork, becoming denser toward the rear and gradually fading into the darkness of the air intakes.
The effect delivers the illusion of a moving car even when standing still. It's made even more striking by the bespoke “Dragonfly Blue” finish, a new paint that shifts between blue and turquoise depending on the lighting and viewing angle.
The aim is to emulate the changing tones of dragonfly wings. Bugatti says the same hue was closely matched to the wheel rims, despite differences between surfaces and paint systems.
Inside, the theme continues with a multi-layered material that places leather over Alcantara in a geometric pattern. The ellipse motif extends across the door panels and, for the first time at Bugatti, across both the door panel face and the armrest area.
Among the most demanding details is the integration of the Bugatti Macaron into the ellipse graphic on the car’s flank. That's another first for the marque. The Sur Mesure gear selector also features the “Dancing Elephant,” a reference to Rembrandt Bugatti and another subtle nod to the owner’s love for the natural world.
The W16 Mistral “Fly Bug” appears to be the 'natural progression' in one die-hard collector's story. One expressed through color, pattern, symbolism, and the highest level of craftsmanship. Regardless of how you feel about dragonflies, you can't argue with that.
