Bugatti Unconcerned About Future of Combustion Engines, But There's a Catch (4 Photos)
Such models will become the preserve of an elite few—with prices to match. 
Once an obscure Croatian startup, Rimac Group now not only builds its own hypercars but also acts as a key tech partner for auto giants like Porsche, BMW, and Hyundai. In a recent interview with CNBC, Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of the Bugatti Rimac joint venture, shared his vision for the global future of sports cars.
Mate Rimac 
According to the 36-year-old entrepreneur, mainstream sports cars will transition entirely to electric power, driven by Chinese automakers entering the market. By contrast, ultra-luxury, limited-run models will buck high-tech trends and screens in favor of classic internal combustion engines, raw exhaust sound, and pure mechanical performance.
Rimac noted that in China today, you can buy a car for around $50,000 that beats any supercar from a decade ago. As a result, raw speed and horsepower are taking a backseat.
Bugatti Tourbillon 
He drew an analogy to wristwatches: while digital devices and smartwatches dominate the market, mechanical Swiss watches remain highly coveted by the wealthy despite their astronomical prices.
Bugatti Tourbillon 
Strong demand for hypercars backs up Rimac's claims. His company ended last year with a record profit of €200 million, and the entire production run of the Bugatti Tourbillon hybrid hypercar—250 units priced starting at €4 million each—is already completely sold out.
