Bugatti’s Sur Mesure program has always been about taking personalization beyond the obvious, and the W16 Mistral ‘Fly Bug’ continues that approach. It comes from an ongoing collaboration with a returning collector whose previous commissions include the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ‘Hellbug’, the Chiron ‘Hellbee’, and the Divo ‘Lady Bug’. Each one draws from the natural world in some way, and this latest chapter turns to the dragonfly, chosen for its iridescent wings and effortless sense of speed that fits the Bugatti spirit.
The project began with a direct exchange between the owner and Bugatti’s Head of Design, Frank Heyl, before moving to the Colour, Materials, and Finish team in Berlin. A recurring visual theme across the collection evolves here into an ellipse pattern that flows over the exterior, tightening toward the rear and fading into the air intakes. It is understated, but it gives the car a constant sense of motion.
The exterior paint, ‘Dragonfly Blue’, was created specifically for this commission and shifts between blue and turquoise depending on light and angle, echoing the way a dragonfly’s wings change in motion. That same tone is carried through to the wheel rims, carefully matched across different materials.
Inside, a new layered material combines leather over Alcantara in a geometric pattern, adding subtle depth to the cabin surfaces. The ellipse motif continues across the door panels and armrest, marking the first time Bugatti has extended a graphic across both areas.
One of the more technical details is the Bugatti Macaron integrated directly into the exterior ellipse pattern, a first for the brand that required precise scaling to preserve every detail. The cabin also features the ‘Dancing Elephant’ in the gear selector, referencing Rembrandt Bugatti’s legacy and the owner’s connection to the natural world.
The build took months from final design approval to completion. The result is a car that does not reveal itself all at once. It sits in the details, and that is where the story lives.