German Car Zone

This year is an important one for Bugatti. Not only does 2009 represent the centenary of the legendary marque but in September Bugatti’s management will reveal the future plans of the company, which will include the announcement of a brand new model. Why September? Because that is the month in which the company was founded back in 1909 by Ettore Bugatti.

To kick-off the celebrations, Bugatti will be releasing its newspecial edition Bleu Centenaire Veyron, which was revealed for the first time at last week’s Geneva Motor Show. While the Bleu Centenaire was not the much anticipated super-Veyron that was on everybody’s lips, Bugatti CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen has revealed to AutoTelegraaf that there are several projects in the works. Paefgen also ruled out the possibility of a cheaper model than the Veyron, explaining that Bugatti’s next car will be every bit as extreme and just as exclusive.

As for the introduction of the rumored super-Veyron, Paefgen said if anyone tries to build a car that can dethrone the Veyron then Bugatti will be prepared. The American-built SSC Ultimate Aero TT currently holds the title for the world's fastest production car (something that Bugatti has never attempted to attain with the Veyron) but the Veyron is arguably the better technical achievement due to its dual-cluth gearbox and ease of driving.

Paefgen also confirmed that there will be more special editions based on both the Veyron and the open-top Grand Sport.

In the meantime, Bugatti has its hands full filling current order lists. The company only has 50 spots left for the Veyron, of which the total build will be 300 units. The Grand Sport model, which is to be limited to just 150 models, has already received several dozen orders.

Exciting. But please no more special editions. It feels like VAG are pumping out a new special edition Veyron or Lambo every month.

In this economic climate, every sale they make is special

Could be the end, but maybe not. If things had only stayed the same we'd see a sedan with the Veyron's running gear.

M

Thanks to one of my trusted sources I was able to find out today that Bugatti is currently planning the return of the Type 41 flagship sedan. This means that we will see the first Bugatti sedan of the modern era which promises to include the latest technologies available, as well as Godly engine borrowed from the Veyron.


The new vehicle will be available only for the most important clients of the manufacturer (Sorry Guys) because only 6 units will be built. It seems that the carmaker wants to repeat the history…... for those who don’t know, here is how it happened: “Ettore Bugatti planned to build twenty-five of the Bugatti Type 41, and sell them to royalty. But even royalty didn’t want to buy these vehicles due to the Great Depression, and Bugatti was able to sell only six.” The new vehicle is expected to make its debut in September, at this year’s Frankfut Auto Show.

^damn that PS looks hot

6 VEHICLES? Doesn't make sense....I seriously doubt it will be that few. If they build only 6 it will be ungodly expensive.

M

In a interview with Bugatti Spokesman Julius Kruta revealed: "Even though it is not economically viable for us, we will do it again. We have bigger plans for the future and the next one from our stables will be even more expensive than the Veyron."

My guess is 2 for the Middle East, 2 for the USA, and 2 for Europe.

Rumormill: Bugatti Royale coming to Frankfurt?


There's no doubt Bugatti has another model in the works, and with the end of Veyron production in sight, the rumor mill is churning anew. This round postulates that a new model, called the Royale, will debut in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

According to reports, the Royale would be even more exclusive than the Veyron. If the original Type 41 Royale is the inspiration, we could be looking at only a handful of examples available to Bugatti's most loyal customers (like that guy in Holland waiting for delivery of his third Veyron). Given all the money that went into the development of the Veyron's quad-turbo W16 engine and the bespoke dual-clutch gearbox that went with it, it'd be a wise bet to assume the drivetrain will carry over, although it's likely to be reconfigured for duty up front rather than the Veyron's mid-ship arrangement. Any truth to the rumors?

And coincidentally enough, we might be entering a New Depression (the Great Depression peaked in September, imagine that) by the time this sedan gets here, so it's only fitting that Bugatti remains true to history, right? I just love the timing of these things.