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An example of the 2025 Bugatti Mistral, with only 516 km driven, will be put up for auction by RM Sotheby’s between August 13th and 15th in Monterey, California. The estimated sale price for this vehicle ranges between US$ 7.5 million and US$ 9.5 million, corresponding to values between R$ 38.3 million and R$ 48.5 million, according to the current exchange rate.

Hypercar Features

The Mistral is notable for being the last street model from Bugatti equipped with the 8.0 W16 quad-turbo engine. This engine was fundamental in defining the identity of the French brand for two decades, being used in the Veyron, Chiron, and finally, this convertible. The production of this model was limited to only 99 units globally, establishing it as a valuable collector's item even before its initial distribution.

Performance and Specifications

With its aerodynamic design, the W16 engine generates an impressive 1,600 horsepower and 163 kgfm of torque. This combination allows the convertible to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in under two seconds and reach a proven top speed of 454 km/h, qualifying it as the fastest open-top production car ever built.

Details and Appreciation

The car in question features a distinct aesthetic configuration, sporting exterior paint in Italian Red and Nocturne, and an interior upholstered in leather in Italian Red and Beluga Black tones. According to the auction house, the hypercar had only one owner and left the factory with approximately US$ 325 thousand (about R$ 1.7 million) in accessories and customizations. Catalog photos indicate that the plastic protectors installed upon delivery last year remain on the interior panels.

Among the elements justifying the high value is the gear selector, which is made from a single block of aluminum and features an amber insert containing a replica of the Dancing Elephant sculpture, a work by Rembrandt Bugatti, brother of the automaker's founder. The model's name refers to the mistral, a type of wind blowing in southern France. The lot includes the original cover, battery charger, owner's manual, and tool kit.

Automotive Market Trends

When launched last year, the Mistral had an initial price of US$ 5.1 million, equivalent to approximately R$ 26 million. If it reaches the upper limit of the estimate, the vehicle will have almost doubled in value in just over a year, demonstrating strong market interest in limited-edition collectibles related to the end of certain mechanical eras.

Bugatti, however, has moved towards new technologies. The W16 engine has been discontinued and replaced by the Tourbillon, presented in 2024. This new engine uses a naturally aspirated 8.3 V16 coupled with three electric motors, marking the first time since the launch of the Veyron in 2005 that a street-legal Bugatti does not employ turbochargers.

The next iteration of the Hyundai Kona was revealed without any type of camouflage in South Korea, through images shared on social media. This prototype suggests a much more comprehensive overhaul than a simple mid-cycle update.

Prototype Design and Aesthetics

The pre-series prototype features a more elevated and vertical silhouette, moving away from the fluid lines of the current version and adopting visual characteristics similar to the electric vehicles in the Ioniq family. On the front, the split lighting concept, characteristic of the first two generations, has been maintained, but with smaller main headlights and a more robust upper LED strip that spans the entire width of the front.

The sculpted lower bumper has reduced air intakes and appears to feature a closed grille. A notable change is the absence of unpainted plastic cladding on the wheel arches, which gave the previous Kona a more rustic look. In its place are smooth surfaces, without the diagonal creases of the previous generation, and a subtle two-tone treatment, contrasting gray pillars with the matte silver body. The beltline remains straight until a redesigned and more vertical rear.

Dimensions and Market Positioning

Although exact measurements have not been confirmed, the SUV is expected to increase in size. The current Kona measures 4.35 meters in length, as does the Creta (4.33 m), while the new generation Kia Seltos, which shares mechanics, reaches 4.43 m. A larger size would help the model position itself at the intersection between the subcompact and compact segments in Europe, competing against models like the Volkswagen T-Roc, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-30, occupying the space between the Bayon and Tucson.

Model Integration and Partnerships

A crucial aspect raised by international publications is Hyundai's intention to consolidate the Kona and Creta lines into a single global product, which is consistent with the similar size of the two SUVs. The shapes of the prototype echo the Crater concept, presented in 2025, which served as the aesthetic basis for this project.

For the Brazilian market, this decision gains additional relevance, given that the Creta is one of the best-selling vehicles in the country, and its third generation, codenamed SX3b, is expected to emerge from this unification. Furthermore, there is an expectation that the structure will be used by General Motors. Due to the agreement signed between the manufacturers in August 2025, which foresees the joint development of five models, the future Chevrolet Tracker should be derived from the Hyundai SUV. The initial launch of this first product of the partnership is scheduled for 2028.

Interior and Technical Specifications

Inside, a digital cockpit equipped with larger screens is anticipated, following the trend initiated by the Ioniq 3, and operating under the new Pleos Connect system, based on Google Android. Hyundai does not plan to eliminate all controls, maintaining physical commands for frequently used functions.

The engine range should be adapted according to the market, including 2.0 naturally aspirated, 1.6 turbo, and 1.6 self-charging hybrid options, available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The purely electric version may be retained, possibly with an extended range system. The official debut of the vehicle is expected in the coming months, as part of the 2027 lineup.