The 2019 International Motor Show in Geneva opens for public tomorrow. Visitors will be able to witness a lot of amazing cars, including a few major models, launching from the showroom floors.
Perhaps the centerpiece of the entire event is the Bugatti display. The company unveiled its latest, one of a kind vehicle – La Voiture Noire. The car has already sold for an eye-watering $18.87 million, making it the most expensive new vehicle in the world.
La Voiture Noire is French for “The Black Car”. The name is special for Bugatti and it’s an important piece of the company’s history.
Jean Bugatti – the son of Ettore Bugatti – took a leading design role in the company during the first half of the 20th century. His most famous work is the Type 57 SC Atlantic – the pinnacle of Bugatti vehicles in the 1930s’.
Out of four vehicles built, Jean Bugatti kept one in full black for himself. The car was named “La Voiture Noire” and was his personal favorite until his untimely death in 1939. Unfortunately, the Atlantic got lost in 1941, while in transit to Bordeux.
One of the remaining three Atlantics, currently living in the Petersen Automotive Museum, sold for $30 million in 2010.
Now that you know the history of La Voiture Noire, you can bet Bugatti is going all out to build what they call “the ultimate Gran Turismo”.
The car will use the same quad-turbo, 8.0-liter, W16 engine that powers the Chiron and Divo models. The engine produces 1,500 hp and 1,180 lbs/ft of torque. Even though the car is not meant to break speed records, it’s going to be absurdly fast.
But, it’s the body that surpasses all expectations. In memory of its legendary designer, Bugatti created an all-new body we can hardly describe with words. Smooth, elegant and minimalist – there is not one line too many.
The car is recognizably a Bugatti, featuring the distinct design elements of the brand:
- The horseshoe front intake
- The side profile and rear quarter panels
- The notorious center line, first implemented by Jean Buggati on the Type 57 Atlantic
Of course, La Voiture Noire takes everything further. It’s longer, with an extended front end. The angles are more slanted and aggressive. The windshield blends into the roofline, swooping continuously all the way to the rear end of the vehicle.
At the back, you’ll notice the gorgeous stop light that follows the curved edge of the body. Below are the six exhaust tailpipes and massive diffuser, extending deep underneath the car.
A unique feature which you can’t see on other Bugattis are the textured panels on the bonnet and engine compartment, as well as the textured headlights. The wheels are also very distinctive with busy, organic shapes that resemble the 3D printed titanium brake calipers the company unveiled a while ago.
Overall, it’s a superb design. To underline how far they went, Bugatti added to their best vehicles to the display:
- The Divo – the latest version of the Bugatti flag model, launched in 2018 at Pebble Beach, California.
- The Chiron Sport “110 Ans Bugatti” – the 110-anniversary model, paying tribute to the company’s French heritage with a special paint job. Launched in the 2019 Chicago Auto Show.
