For most of the automotive industry, just like for most of the world at large, the 2020 calendar year will go down in history as a serious challenge highlighted by shuttered dealerships, repurposed assembly lines, and tentative consumers. Apparently, global shutdowns amid a deadly pandemic didn't quite affect the world's high-end supercar and hypercar constructors, however, as yesterday, Lamborghini announced a record-setting second half of 2020 despite Covid-19. And now, fellow Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti has similarly proven that the pandemic didn't cause any problems for the wealthiest subset of car buyers, having logged the most successful year in the French firm's 111-year history.
The Bolide Hypercar
Highlights for Bugatti in 2020 included unveiling the track-oriented Bolide hypercar, which continues on the quad-turbocharged W16 recipe with which the Veyron effectively pioneered the supercar era back in 2005. But where the Veyron was undoubtedly a big, heavy beast, the Bolide employs plenty of carbon fiber and weight savings to log a 2,733-pound curb weight, in a car with a bevy of aerodynamic enhancements to boot. Meanwhile, the limited run of 60 Chiron Pur Sport examples began production in fall of 2020, as well.
Multiple CEO Stephan Winkelmann
In a statement describing Bugatti's success, CEO Stephan Winkelmann (who recently rejoined Lamborghini, where he'll also serve as chief) said, "2020 was without a doubt the most unusual year for all of us. The coronavirus pandemic brought so much to a halt and caused enormous disruption to our everyday lives. I’m happy that our workforce and most Bugatti enthusiasts have so far made it through this difficult period and have managed to overcome these challenges extremely well. I’m very proud that, despite the difficult circumstances, we have been able to achieve our third record-breaking year in a row. For this I would like to thank the entire staff."
What's Next For Bugatti
Winkelmann's dual roles at Bugatti and Lamborghini may have exacerbated rumors that Volkswagen plans to sell both subsidiaries to upstart Croatian EV builder Rimac but for now, Bugatti remains focused on delivering all 40 Divo hypercars to customers, as well as completing the world's most expensive and exclusive car, the La Voiture Noire that was announced way back in March of 2019.
Sources: newsroom.bugatti.com and wsj.com.