Bugatti’s replacement for the Chiron hypercar will be utilizing a whole new engine, but the French automaker is not finished with the Chiron’s W16 powerplant.

Before it is retired, that engine will power the Bugatti W16 Mistral, which the company says has entered the final testing stage and should be ready for production at its Molsheim Atelier facility later this year.

So, what is the Mistral?

It’s a high-performance roadster that is expected to exceed speeds of 420 km/h, and it’s the first roadster the company is producing since 2015, when it created the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.

Bugatti Automobiles says the roadster has undergone stringent testing, including crash testing, which is essential to obtain homologation for different markets, including in North America and Europe where crash tests must comply with their respective international standards.

Furthermore, the car has undergone an aerodynamic evaluation, the engine and transmission were put through the paces and the car has undergone extensive road tests. One prototype, called Prototype 2, has been driven 32,000 kilometres, including at high altitudes in the mountains, at sea level and in heavy traffic.

Bugatti also plans to drive its test mule a total of 40,000 kilometres, including 5,000 of those at the track.

The automaker also points out there’s the logistical challenge of finding a track to verify the car’s top speed of 420 km/h safely.

“We are planning to run the final high-speed test in one of the very few tracks around the world that allow us to run the test in safe conditions. The moment that we have access to that track, however, achieving the top speed will no longer be a problem,” said Emilio Scervo, chief technology officer of Bugatti Rimac.

Bugatti Automobiles says it is dedicated to creating a car that meets the performance standards expected from a Bugatti as well as sets new benchmarks for safety and reliability in a hyper sports roadster, all while offering and unparalleled luxury and driving experience.