Mate Rimac believes mainstream vehicles will go electric, but wealthy buyers will continue choosing combustion-powered supercars for their craftsmanship, exclusivity and character.
The future of high-performance supercars may remain firmly linked to combustion engines despite the rapid global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), according to Mate Rimac, founder of Rimac Automobili and CEO of Bugatti.
Speaking to CNBC, Rimac said mainstream vehicles are likely to become predominantly electric, while the ultra-luxury sports car segment could continue relying on petrol engines for decades. He compared the trend to the Swiss watch industry, where traditional mechanical products retain strong appeal despite the availability of technologically advanced smartwatches.
Rimac believes wealthy customers increasingly value craftsmanship, individuality and mechanical character rather than simply choosing the newest technology. According to him, buyers of high-end vehicles want products that represent their personality and preferences.
Rimac’s Unusual Position on Combustion Engines
Rimac’s prediction is particularly notable because his company became famous for developing electric hypercars. Founded in 2009, Rimac Automobili launched the Concept One before introducing the Nevera, which established itself as one of the world’s quickest production EVs.
The Nevera achieved a top speed of 412km/h and became a benchmark for electric performance. However, Rimac’s involvement with Bugatti has placed him at the centre of the combustion-powered hypercar market as well.
Rimac Automobili and Porsche established Bugatti Rimac in 2021, combining Rimac’s electric technology with Bugatti’s heritage of producing extreme internal-combustion vehicles.
Bugatti Keeps the Combustion Engine Alive
Rather than developing a fully electric successor to the Chiron, Bugatti has introduced the Tourbillon with a hybrid powertrain.
The hypercar combines an 8.3-litre naturally aspirated V16 petrol engine producing 746kW and 900Nm with three electric motors delivering an additional 597kW. Combined system output reaches 1,343kW.
Rimac acknowledged the irony of overseeing both advanced electric technology and one of the world’s largest combustion engines at the same facility in Croatia.
Exclusivity Becomes More Important
The executive also highlighted the growing importance of personalisation among wealthy customers. He said performance alone is becoming less significant as technology makes high-speed vehicles increasingly accessible.
Bugatti plans to keep Tourbillon production extremely limited, with output capped at low three-digit numbers annually. This strategy reinforces the brand’s focus on exclusivity, craftsmanship and bespoke customer experiences.
Luxury manufacturers including Porsche, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz are similarly expanding personalised vehicle programmes.
For Rimac, the future of the supercar is therefore less about achieving the highest numbers and more about celebrating engineering, design, artistry and human craftsmanship.