Most automotive CEOs observe vehicle testing from a distance, but Mate Rimac represents a different breed of leadership. The Bugatti-Rimac CEO was recently spotted behind the wheel of the all-new Tourbillon, pushing the $4 million hypercar through snow-covered roads in what appears to be intensive winter validation testing.
This hands-on approach speaks volumes about the 36-year-old Croatian entrepreneur’s engineering philosophy. Rimac built his reputation by personally developing electric hypercar technology before merging with Bugatti in 2021. Rather than delegating testing duties entirely to development drivers, he regularly joins his engineering team in the field, subjecting prototypes to conditions that his wealthy customers would probably never dare attempt.
The Tourbillon represents Bugatti’s most ambitious project yet. Powered by a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine combined with three electric motors, the hypercar generates an astounding 1,800 horsepower. With production limited to just 250 units and deliveries beginning in 2026, each example carries a base price exceeding $4 million before customization.
Winter testing proves crucial for validating electronic stability systems, thermal management, and all-wheel drive calibration. The Tourbillon’s hybrid powertrain must perform flawlessly whether the owners are driving snowy mountain passes or challenging racetracks. By personally experiencing these extreme conditions with his engineering team, Rimac gains invaluable insights that inform final engineering decisions.
This commitment to real-world validation ensures that when the inevitable adventurous owner decides to drive their Tourbillon through the typical Alpine winter, the car will perform exactly as intended. That’s the difference between executives who manage from spreadsheets and those who lead from the driver’s seat. For the rest of the world, who perhaps can’t afford a hypercar from the Bugatti-Rimac stable, we can still look on in wonder at the coolest CEO ever.
