Bugatti Wants To Put Its New V16 To Use In An Ultra-Exclusive GT Car

Key Takeaways

• Bugatti would like to develop a front-engined ultra-luxury GT car modeled after the Type 57 SC Atlantic.
• A V16 grand tourer would fit Bugatti’s brand, providing the marque with a high-powered Rolls-Royce rival.
• Possibility of using the V16 engine for one-off coachbuilt creations, catering to Bugatti’s exclusive clientele.

Last week, Bugatti finally revealed its new hypercar, the Tourbillon. Powered by an electrified V16 engine that produces 1,775 horsepower. It’s a magnificent powertrain, so it would make sense for the Molsheim-based marque to shoehorn it into another model. But could Bugatti make another hypercar? No, but a front-engined ultra-luxury GT car is a real possibility.

Bugatti’s design chief, Frank Heyl, hinted to Autocar that a Type 57 SC Atlantic could be in the cards. “Certainly. I mean, look at the Type 57 SC Atlantic: it’s front-engined. So maybe later, but for now, we are super-happy that we went this way.” The 57 Atlantic is one of the world’s most exclusive and desirable classic cars, with examples often selling for millions of dollars.

An Elegant Bugatti Grand Tourer Would Be Perfect

While the Tourbillon and its predecessors are mid-engined supercars, they have always been grown-up, refined, and supremely luxurious machines that can easily cross continents. Bugatti has the know-how it needs to build an elegant V16 grand tourer, and reviving the exquisite Type 57 SC for the modern era would be perfect. It would give Bugatti something to rival Rolls-Royce.

Of course, there’s a possibility that the V16 engine and chassis could be used as a foundation for one-off coachbuilt creations. “We started, with Bolide, bringing coachbuilding back by using a drivetrain or rolling chassis and dressing it up in a different design.” Redesigning things to accommodate a front engine layout would be considerably pricier, but it’s not like Bugatti customers are worried about trivial things like cost.

Bugatti Wants To Build More Exclusive One-Off Cars

Heyl added that the Centodieci and La Voiture Noire were also introduced as ultra-exclusive motorcars and that the brand wants to develop a couture-like service that builds one-offs and unique creations. Sort of like a car atelier, if you will. “That’s an interesting aspect and it’s a growing market, and it’s especially relative to the kind of breed of customer that Bugatti serves – this aspect of ultimate individuality is very, very important.”

Would it be possible to shake up the engine layout and configuration? Bugatti’s chief technical officer, Emilio Scervo, wouldn’t give the publication a clear answer, simply suggesting it is possible. “We can shuffle bits around,” he said. It would be interesting to see if Bugatti follows the Type 57 SC recipe to the tee. The original had its engine mounted behind the front axle (making it a front-mid-engined car) and lowering the hood line for a sportier and svelte appearance. Mate Rimac, CEO of the Bugatti Rimac Group, has expressed an interest in keeping ICE powertrains a part of Bugatti’s future. This suggests that the newly-developed V16 will stick around for quite some time and power an array of vehicles, whether one-offs or not.

Not The First Time Bugatti Has Considered A Front-Engined GT

Since Bugatti’s resurrection at the end of the 20th century, the automaker has toyed with a front-engined GT on more than one occasion:

• Bugatti EB112 – The EB112 was a concept intended for production after the EB110. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, several prototypes were built, powered by a front-mounted 6.0-liter V12 with 450 hp and 479 lb-ft. It had four doors and four seats, but never materialized after Bugatti went bankrupt in 1995. Two EB112 prototypes were finished post-bankruptcy, meaning despite never reaching full production, drivable prototypes do exist.
• Bugatti EB 218 – After Bugatti was bought by Volkswagen, Giugiaro designed another concept, the EB 218. This was also a four-door sedan with the engine up front, but unlike the EB112, this one had a W engine under the hood: a 6.3-liter W18 with 555 hp and 479 lb-ft. It was unveiled at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, but never went beyond the concept stage.
• Bugatti 16C Galibier – Yet another concept that never went to production, the 16C Galibier debuted in 2009 with its name harkening back to the Type 57 Galibier. It had a version of the Veyron’s W16 under the hood but with twin superchargers instead of quad turbos. Unconfirmed power outputs were placed at over 986 hp and the five-door fastback was allegedly capable of over 235 mph. This one nearly became a reality and was slated for production as the Bugatti Royale, but after several years of delays, the project was canceled.
• Bugatti Rembrandt – If it hadn’t been for Dieselgate, this one could’ve made it, too. It was a front-engined mega-GT with only two doors and a lot of design similarities to the new Tourbillon, with the Chiron’s W16 under (and poking through) the hood. Originally meant to be revealed at Pebble Beach 2015, the aforementioned emissions saga put an early end to its existence.

Maybe the fifth time’s the charm?

Source:
Autocar