Yannis

Baby Bugatti gets go-ahead.

Congratulations are in order, because there's a baby Bugatti on the way! The model doesn't have a name yet, but the famous horseshoe grille is set to feature on a new 'cut-price' supercar.

The distinctive emblem already adorns the world's fastest production model, the 252mph Veyron. However, it has an £830,000 price tag, while the new machine is expected to sell for £90,000.

Sources say it'll be named after a 17th century painter - so Vermeer, Caravaggio and Rembrandt are all possible. However, fans who are hoping for a junior version of the 16-cylinder Veyron monster look set to be disappointed. Unlike the 987bhp two-seater, the baby model is set to follow more traditional lines.

The entry-level Bugatti is expected to be a front-engined 2+2 using either a VW VR6 or V8 motor. And, as with the Veyron, it could boast all-wheel drive. It'll go head-to-head with Aston Mar-tin's DB9 and the Bentley Continental GT - and as Bugatti, like Bentley, is owned by the VW Group, it could even use the latter's platform to cut costs.

Engineers have already started work on the project. The final design is expec-ted to be signed off early next year, paving the way for a 2008 launch. However, development of the Veyron was plagued by problems, and bosses will be keen to avoid a repeat of that situation.

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Yannis

This old Autocar article has some CGI of the car: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Centurion

Will the car be based on the R8 platform?

dOmInIX

With VR6 against Continental's W12??! Don't think so!

It would be really strange to me to see V6 Bugatti.

Yannis

The new baby Bugatti will have at least 800 hp according to some sources so the engine will probably be the same with facelifted Murcelago's (meaning a 6.5 lt V12) but with the addition of two turbos.

The Artist

minimum V8 in a bugatti otherwise its a scandal..

PS
Yannis if it will have 800hp V12 it will not cost 90K.. never..

warot

This Bugatti will need at least a V10... and that probably won't happen unless they take an engine from Lamborghini. Otherwise, Bugatti is going to compromise of a 90,000 and 800,000 pound cars.

Personally, I think 90,000 is pretty conservative. It's going to be more than that.

dOmInIX

Then, there's no need for it. It would again be stronger and faster than every other car out there, as a Veyron!! I think it's not really a good idea!

BMW_Dude

I wonder how VAG are going to brand bugatti, because Lambo is the sporty outrageous company and Bentley is the luxurious company, I wonder is Bugatti will be inbetween those two brands!

Yannis

The 90k figure is all wrong. The new Bugatti will be far more expensive than Murcelago meaning at least a price of 400k euro.