It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that 2019 was a mighty good year for Bugatti. The carmaker knows not to dwell too much on the past, though, and it’s already planning its future steps. On that note, we’re happy to report that Bugatti is planning to keep hold of the 8.0-liter W-16, which will live on “for next decade.”

The info comes from Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann himself, via U.K.’s Autocar, who had a chat with the bossman about the company’s plans for the quad-turbo engine.

The 8.0-liter W-16’s Prolonged Stay Would Benefit Bugatti and Owners Alike

Speaking to Autocar, Mr. Winkelmann made it clear that he sees the W-16 powerplant as “an opportunity for the future” and a “USP which is not diminishing in value.” What’s more, the extended use of the W-16 seems to please VW Group’s boss Herbert Diess, too, who according to Mr. Winkelmann, “knows the value of a W-16 engine.”

So with hybridization on the horizon, the W-16 will turn into a highly prized collectible piece of engineering once Bugatti’s hypercars will harness, to various extents, the power of electricity.

The mid-mounted W-16 made its debut inside the Veyron. It is essentially made of two VR8s matched together under the same crankshaft, slapped with four turbochargers. Initially, the W-16 generated 1,001 PS (987 horsepower) but later Veyron iterations packed up to 1,200 PS (1,183 horsepower).

Measuring just 710 mm (27.9 inches) in length, the W-16’s length is similar to a V-12 engine. It tips the scales at just 490 kilos (1,080 pounds) and is fitted with titanium piston rods, an eight-stage oil pump mounted inside the crankcase, and a small-mass flywheel.

Bolted to the engine is a seven-speed variant of VW’s dual-clutch DSG transmission, albeit tweaked and reinforced to withstand the massive torque levels of up to 1,500 Newton-meters (1,106 pound-feet). You don’t quite get that in a Golf, do you?

In the Bugatti Centodieci, the 8.0-liter W-16 churns out 1,600 PS (1,577 horsepower) at 7,000 rpm, helping the special edition sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.4 seconds. 0-200 km/h (124 mph) takes just 6.1 seconds, while top speed is capped at 380 km/h (236 mph).

Given Bugatti’s confidence that the W-16 can live for another decade, we’re guessing there’s more power to be extracted from the powerplant, which can only mean that the carmaker’s future cars will only get more extreme. That sounds just about right to us.