After two years of back-and-forth design and engineering planning with its commissioner, the world's most exclusive Bugatti is finally completed. The $13.4 million Bugatti La Voiture Noire is a one-off that was created as the ultimate grand tourer.
"With the completed La Voiture Noire, we are demonstrating once again that we develop the world's most sophisticated hyper sports cars," said Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. "With its use of visible carbon fiber in jet black, the coupe's breathtaking sculpture looks especially elegant. It's a veritable grand tourer that went from being a vision to a reality – a unique project which stands for Bugatti's full creativity and artistry."
The car's name is a nod to Bugatti's company history. The super luxury automaker was founded 110 years ago by automotive industry pioneer Ettore Bugatti. Bugatti's son, Jean, developed and drove the Type 57 SC in the late 1930s. The one he kept as a personal vehicle was nicknamed "La Voiture Noire" - the black car.
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The original black car disappeared without a trace shortly before World War II, and its whereabouts and fate are currently unknown.
Bugatti Design Director Achim Anscheidt, the man behind the execution of the Bugatti Chiron, was the one who came up with the idea for a vehicle that pays homage to the original black car - 20 years ago.
"We were rather in awe of the idea of developing the La Voiture Noire. No other vehicle in the long history of Bugatti has acquired the same legendary status as the Type 57 SC Atlantic and has become so synonymous with the brand. We had a great deal of respect for this historical responsibility as well as for the customer," said Anscheidt.
The spirit of the design centers around sculptural elements, following a vein similar to the path that Jean Bugatti took with many early company autos. The new La Voiture Noire was created with minimalist design, reducing the vehicle down to the essentials, stripping away the rear wing and eliminating the number of design lines. Bumpers are integrated into bodywork and the windscreen is made to blend into the side windows giving a helmet-like appearance.
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The car has been sculpted to be both aerodynamic and feature unique styling.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
The car has been sculpted to be both aerodynamic and feature unique styling.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.Six exhaust outlets are standard.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.Bugatti designed the clear coat of the car to be a nearly non-reflective surface.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.Each bit of the car's grille has been examined to ensure proper fit.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.The model features polished wheels and blue calipers.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.The A-pillars of the car disappear into the side windows creating a helmet-like appearance.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.The all-black exterior of the Bugatti is matched with an all-brown interior.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.The car features an elongated body style.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.The automaker deleted the customary Bugatti wing as part of the new design.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.The car's design has been paired down in keeping with its inspiration.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.Bugatti extensively tested the car's dynamics ahead of releasing the model to its buyer.Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.
The attention to detail is extraordinary. Over 25 individually milled light elements fill each of the headlights. The model is bathed in a clear coat finish known as "Black Carbon Glossy" that allows the vehicle's carbon fiber to remain visually exposed. The result is a nearly non-reflective surface. Every cell of the 3D-printed grille has been examined to ensure a perfect fit. At the rear, a single light expands across the back housed in a single-piece surround with no joints - a company first. Six tailpipes dispense a harmonious burble.
Bugatti's design team has fitted the cabin of the car nearly entirely with Havana Brown-colored grain leather and accented the material with aluminum inlays. Drive modes are switched via a rosewood controller.
The name of the new La Voiture Noire owner has not yet been revealed.
