Category Archives: Bugatti

Bugatti unwraps one-of-a-kind porcelain-trimmed Veyron L’Or Blanc

web16 bugatti lorblanc1 450x262 Bugatti unwraps one of a kind porcelain trimmed Veyron L’Or Blanc

We’ve seen all sorts of materials used in automotive construction. Steel, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass, carbon fiber… even ceramics. But this is a first. Teaming up with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, Bugatti has created the one-off Veyron “L’Or Blanc” you see here. Its name means “white gold”, and the special Grand Sport uses porcelain to distinguish its body and interior in high swirly style. The result, as you can see, is quite stunning, and anything but conventional. Only this one example will be made, with an asking price of €1.65 million – equivalent to $2.4 million at today’s exchange rates. Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Final Bugatti Veyron sold… sort of

veyron super sport 630 450x298 Final Bugatti Veyron sold... sort of

It’s a sad day, friends. The final Bugatti Veyron 16.4 has been sold to a customer in Europe, says the supercar manufacturer. Well, maybe not that sad. Technically, the W16, quad-turbocharged monster will continue to soldier on in open-top Grand Sport trim, but don’t expect the Bug to churn out any more hardtop models. All 300 of them have officially been spoken for; leaving the world’s stupidly wealthy with nowhere to spend their millions. Whatever shall they do?

As you may recall, the Veyron first touched down in 2003, and it’s been busy shattering records and swilling high-test gasoline ever since. Eight years later, the creation remains one of the most awe-inspiring vehicles on the planet, and odds are it won’t stop arching eyebrows and dropping jaws anytime soon. Something tells us that 987 horsepower will do that for you.

So what does Bugatti have planned for its next stunt? Aside from a few shadowy whispers about a possible production Galibier sedan, the automaker has been suspiciously tight-lipped about its endeavors. Hit the jump for the press blast.

Production Bugatti Galibier to revive Royale nameplate?

bugatti galibier4 450x300 Production Bugatti Galibier to revive Royale nameplate?

With production of the Veyron winding to a close, Bugatti is preparing to move on to the next big thing. That thing, as has oft been reported, is expected to be a production version of the Galibier concept sedan from last year. The latest reports, however, suggest that it won’t be called the Galibier when it hits exclusive showrooms, but rather revive the classic Royale nameplate.

The original Bugatti Royale was the very height of opulence, packing a 12.7-liter straight-eight into a 21-foot limousine. That’s bigger than a Rolls-Royce Phantom or a Ford F-450. Ettore Bugatti planned on marketing the vehicle to heads of state (hence the name), but when the Depression rolled around, sales projections plummeted and Bugatti only made six of them. The remaining 23 engines were used to power locomotives.

The Royale celebrated its 80th birthday in 2007 when five of the six examples in existence gathered for the Goodwood Festival of Speed. If the 800-horsepower, sixteen-cylinder Galibier were to be put into production as the Royale (with or without cheese elephant hood ornament) sometime next year, it would mark the original’s 85th anniversary. One way or another, we’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, you can check out the Galibier and the Royale reunion at Goodwood in our high-resolution image galleries.

Bugatti Galibier to be available with hybrid power

bugatti galibier1 450x300 Bugatti Galibier to be available with hybrid power

Bugatti models have never lacked ambition, from the company’s original incarnation under founder Ettore Bugatti to its present-day operations under the Volkswagen Group. That unbridled moxie looks poised to gather pace with the brand’s forthcoming Galibier super sedan.

Not only will the Galibier be very exclusive and very costly, British magazine CAR is reporting that the W16 engine from the Veyron will be ported over with its dual-clutch gearbox, albeit with a twist – it will also be available with optional hybrid power. The dual-power system is being developed because an increasing number of metropolitan city centers are taking steps to curb or ban internal combustion cars firing up in downtown areas, and Bugatti owners aren’t exactly the type to take mass transit.

In an interview with the marque’s new president and CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer, CAR confirms the project is still in its early stages, with the final dimensions of the car and its chassis construction not yet settled upon. The design is expected to be finalized this fall, and the leading architectures in contention are a carbon monocoque like the Veyron or possibly an aluminum spaceframe.

While the Veyron’s production run has been earmarked at 300 units, the Galibier is to increase that tenfold to 3,000 units, but the price will still be steep – CAR estimates the privilege of ownership will cost upwards of £1 million ($1.62M dollars).

Bugatti gets green light to build Galibier sedan

web bugatti 16c galibier 5 450x232 Bugatti gets green light to build Galibier sedan

Always wanted Veyron levels of power but needed room for the kids? Bugatti is ready to make your dream a reality because the Galibier has reportedly been given the green light. According to some in-the-know folks, Volkswagen has given a jewel-encrusted thumbs up that will allow Bugatti to build the four-door super sedan.

The Galibier is expected to be priced around $1.4 million, and according to Bloomberg, the W16 will arrive under-hood in 1,000-horsepower form. Other reports speculate that Bugatti will trim the turbocharger count back from four to two, causing horsepower to dip to a more pedestrian 800 hp.