Luxury automaker Bugatti's 2026 supercar boasts a high-end £3.2 million sound system, showcasing cutting-edge audio technology.
Bugatti has taken a bold step in automotive innovation, introducing a piezoelectric speaker system in its Tourbillon supercar. This is the first time such technology has been used inside a car, according to reports[1].
The body of the Tourbillon supercar is being transformed into a speaker using piezoelectric technology. Instead of traditional magnet-and-cone speakers, this system relies on tiny piezoelectric crystals that vibrate directly to move the car’s body panels, specifically the carbon-fiber tub, creating sound waves[2][3].
This innovative approach differs from traditional speaker systems in key ways:
- Mechanism: Traditional speakers use large magnets and cones that physically move air to produce sound. Piezoelectric speakers, on the other hand, use electrical signals to vibrate small crystals, which then transmit vibrations directly to a solid surface (here, the car’s chassis) acting as the speaker diaphragm[1][5].
- Size & Weight: Piezoelectric elements are much smaller and lighter than conventional speakers, allowing Bugatti to save weight and space in the car[1].
- Sound Quality & Immersion: Vibrating the carbon-fiber tub itself enables a unique sound experience with potentially richer resonance and clearer bass, as the car’s structure amplifies sound naturally[1][3].
The Tourbillon's subwoofer consists of a piezo element built into the roof of the car, further enhancing the audio experience[4]. This system is said to be "in a different universe" compared to the previous Chiron’s diamond speaker system, improving sound quality and immersive experience[1][3].
This groundbreaking innovation is just one of the many showcased by Bugatti during a visit to the Bugatti-Rimac campus by BBC Top Gear magazine[6]. The use of piezoelectric speakers in the Tourbillon supercar and the next generation Rimac Nevera sports car is an example of the continuous push for innovation at Bugatti[7].
The Tourbillon supercar, with its price tag of around £3.2 million before tax[8], is a testament to Bugatti's commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology.
[1] - motor1.com [2] - Top Gear video [3] - Bugatti press release [4] - motor1.com [5] - Piezoelectric technology explanation [6] - BBC Top Gear visit [7] - Bugatti press release [8] - Car cost information
The Tourbillon supercar's distinctive sound system, relying on piezoelectric technology, sets it apart from traditional speaker systems, utilizing tiny crystals that vibrate to move the car's body panels, providing a unique sound experience with potentially richer resonance and clearer bass. Despite the Tourbillon's luxury lifestyle, its use of compact piezoelectric elements in the roof for the subwoofer allows for weight and space savings, showcasing the continuous integration of advanced technology and gadgets in Bugatti's vehicles.
