Bugatti W16 Mistral Fly Bug: The Dragonfly-Inspired One-Off

Bugatti has again demonstrated that, for its clientele, 'individual' no longer simply refers to an unusual paint shade. The new W16 Mistral Fly Bug is a one-off built via the Sur Mesure program, one of four cars commissioned by a longstanding brand collector.

The concept draws from the dragonfly—hence the Fly Bug name, a unique body pattern, and Dragonfly Blue paint that transitions from blue to turquoise depending on lighting. Matching the wheels to the body shade added extra complexity due to varying materials and coatings, but Bugatti pulled it off.

The exterior’s defining feature is a fresh elliptical motif that sweeps across the bodywork, growing denser as it nears the tail and blending optically into the dark air intakes. Far from random decoration, it evolves themes already seen on other cars in this collection—a Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, Chiron, and Divo.

The cabin takes the theme further. Bugatti crafted a multi-layer material—patterned leather over Alcantara—yielding a gentle three-dimensional effect. For the first time, the elliptical motif extends beyond the door panel to the armrest. Even the iconic Bugatti Macaron is woven directly into the pattern, another first for the marque.

The gear selector features a Dancing Elephant, a nod to Rembrandt Bugatti and the family’s artistic lineage. While the Fly Bug doesn’t add speed, it underscores a different reality: in Bugatti’s realm, a car can transcend trim levels and become a near-museum piece, crafted for one owner.