For Ettore Bugatti, each car bearing his name had these principles instilled in them, “pure blood, absolute clarity, predominance of purpose, immaculate shape.” Even after 112 years, Bugatti Automobiles still holds onto these values, which shape every new project they undertake.
On May 26, 2021, a special briefing emphasized these principles, providing insights into the Divo and Centodieci, along with a sneak peek at the exclusive Bugatti La Voiture Noire, soon to be delivered. Until then, only the concept version of the latter had been seen, debuting in Geneva and appearing at Pebble Beach in 2019.
This car isn’t just the best of the best from the French automaker; it also signified Bugatti’s return to its roots in custom coachbuilding, a tradition that thrived from 1923 until operations ceased in the mid-1950s.
It’s appropriate that this significant milestone was directly inspired by a car that’s not only one of Bugatti‘s most famous models but also one of the most legendary automobiles ever made: the Type 57 SC Atlantic, designed by Jean Bugatti. Out of the four produced (of which only three are believed to still exist), the contemporary hypercar’s namesake is the almost mythical 1936 version, with chassis No. 57453, which was driven by Jean himself and seemingly disappeared after World War II.
Bugatti La Voiture Noire’s elongated wheelbase was a deliberate choice to position the cabin farther back, similar to its predecessor. The designer focused on the rear of the vehicle, highlighting the illumination system as a standout feature. This intricate taillight is crafted from a single piece, possibly making it the most complex taillight in today’s automotive world.
Furthermore, adjustments were made to decrease the size of the hood area, bringing it closer in resemblance to the model it pays homage to.
To underscore the brand’s renewed focus on a coachbuilding approach to highly limited-edition and one-of-a-kind releases, Sajonz and Pierre Rommelfanger, Bugatti’s head of coachbuilding projects, also conducted brief walkthroughs of Bugatti’s Divo and Centodieci models. The Divo and Centodieci are incredibly exclusive, with only 40 and 10 examples produced, respectively.
While the Divo was showcased alongside Bugatti La Voiture Noire, the Centodieci was only displayed through images. The car is currently undergoing track testing at Germany’s renowned Nürburgring, where performance metrics are being assessed and refined as part of its development process.
Regarding the long-term sustainability of these ultra-exclusive offerings, Rommelfanger refrained from providing specific details, simply stating that “they are one pillar in the Bugatti brand, and every project must be financially viable.” Whatever the financial situation may be, it appears to be successful because in April, Bugatti reported the highest number of deliveries in the first quarter of 2021 compared to any previous quarter.
Wondering Bugatti La Voiture Noire, price in India? Well, it’s for ₹155.80 crores ($1 = ₹83.16, as of January 29, 2024). And in case you’re thinking how many Bugatti La Voiture Noire are there? There is only one Bugatti La Voiture Noire in existence and no one knows who owns it.
