The unveiling of the Bugatti 16C Galibier must be proof that even the fantastically wealthy are worrying about practical, rational things in these tenuous economic times. How else to explain the appearance of a front-engine Bugatti with four doors -- a Bugatti sedan? It's a concept, mind you, so if the Bugatti owners in attendance at the private unveiling don't like it, Bugatti might not build it.
Bugatti mentions the Type 57 as a styling influence, but in profile, the car strikes us an even more eccentric relative of the Porsche Panamera.
Under the hood is a familiar 8.0-liter W16 engine. But instead of quad turbos on the mid-engine Veyron, this one has a two-stage supercharger and flex-fuel capability in case you want to fill up with ethanol.
"Four-wheel drive, specially developed ceramic brakes and a new suspension design enable the agile, always-sure handling of a saloon of this size," says the Bugatti press release. So we shouldn't ask about curb weight, then, should we?
More details, we're sure, are forthcoming, but the car is not on the guest list for Frankfurt.
Check the additional photos after the jump.
The Swiss watchmaker Parmigiani designed the clock for the 16C Galibier, and you may take it out and wear it as a wristwatch. You may not wear the navigation unit.
walking_dead says:
01:17 PM, 09/14/09
VW just made a high-end Panamera,
this is a shame, what a really lazy way to mess up a unique brand.
wrinklebump says:
01:37 PM, 09/14/09
The interior is just hilarious. Are there really people in this world that need to feel like Louis XIV in a car?
brn says:
01:40 PM, 09/14/09
Tire profiles are getting silly. Why don't we just use a paint brush to pain a little rubber on there?
desmolicious says:
01:41 PM, 09/14/09
All that matters is what the multi-millionaires and billionaires think.
trjnflip says:
01:45 PM, 09/14/09
Panamera, Crosstour and now this. I guess this is a new emerging bodystyle.
arkitect says:
02:00 PM, 09/14/09
This car is much better looking than the Panamera. All Porsche did to make the Panamera was reuse the same front end that they been using forever with the 911. This car actually looks like it actually knows that its a sedan. The side view of this car is just stunning.
someguyposting says:
03:07 PM, 09/14/09
I'm lucky enough to have seen the Type 57 SC Atlantic owned by Ralph Lauren in person. That car is the definition of stunning.
This car borrows design cues from it and its Type 57 sisters - the spine running down the middle, which was there on the original so that the magnesium, aluminum alloy body could be riveted together, the tear drop shape, the two rounded rear windows, etc. - though the end product here isn't as dramatic. As with pretty much all modern cars, some of the visual interest has been smoothed over in the name of aerodynamic efficiency.
I personally wouldn't mind if a modern car, for the sake of aesthetics, used its superior engine technology to offset drag rather than using it to increase acceleration and top speed. I miss the beauty, grace and drama of the pre-CAD designs.
This car is a good example of why. Here we have a car that makes its niche in part by standing out as a visual statement of extravagance, and it is totally over-shadowed by its 70 year old counterpart.
slickersdrip says:
03:21 PM, 09/14/09
I doesn't do a lot for me... I guess this would be more of a driver's car than something like a Bentley Mulsanne... but even then, why would you then have an arm rest made of hardwood? That wouldn't be comfortable...
Also, just me or do the headlights look vaguely like the Saab 9-5?
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/12/2009-Saab-9-5-Griffin-Edition.jpg
chadera495 says:
05:55 PM, 09/14/09
8 exhaust tips
estreka says:
06:23 PM, 09/14/09
I'm not a fan of the Bugatti design, but that looks good.
The 8 exhaust tips seems a big excessive, but at least it breaks up that huge bubble butt.
fordfrenzy says:
06:33 PM, 09/14/09
OK IF YOU SCRAP FOUR OF THE EXHAUST TIPS THIS IS A GORGEOUS SEDAN AND MAKE THE PANAMERA LOOK SILLY IN ITS BEST LOOKING ATTIRE WOW I WONDER WILL THIS ONE MAKE THE MAGIC 1001 HOURS POWER AND THE INTERIOR COULD RIVAL A BENTLEY OR ROSE ROYCE OR MAYBE BECAUSE IT IT THE SAME INTERIOR I THINK THIS WILL SEE HUGELY IF IT DOESN'T COME WITH A MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG.
notabigdeal says:
06:36 PM, 09/14/09
I agree that it is an upgraded panamera and very bad for brand image. I'm guessing a 4 door lambo with a big butt is on the order next.