Bugatti automobiles represent class, luxury, and performance of the highest caliber. Ettore Bugatti the Italian founder of the company knew exactly what he wanted for the company and his vision was so clear that his successors have been able to keep his legacy alive.
Founded about 110 years ago, it’s amazing to realize this company still maintains the same vigor and passion its founding fathers exhibited and while at it they have probably implemented the vision beyond the imaginations of the founders. From the present, we decided to go down memory lane and bring you a list of 10 cool facts about Bugatti automobiles.
10 10. ART INFLUENCE
The Bugatti family is greatly influenced by art. Ettore Bugatti’s grandfather, Giovanni Luigi Bugatti started the art trend – he was a trained architect and a specialist interior decorator based in Italy. Luigi’s art influence was evident on his children Rembrandt Bugatti, a renowned animal sculptor, and Carlo Bugatti – Ettore’s father.
This influence informed Carlo’s decision to study arts at the Berra Academy in Milan and later at the Academie des Beaux Arts in Paris. The influence was even evident in marriage choices as Ettore’s aunt, Luigia Bugatti got married to an Italian painter Giovanni Segantini.
9 9. DIVO SOLD OUT IN A DAY
The Bugatti company sure does know how to do the business of cars. From the Type 10 of the 1900s to the 2019 Chiron, Bugatti cars always have ready buyers even though they’re priced out of range of an average car lover. One reason for this is that Bugatti doesn’t flood the market with their products, making them exclusive cars.
Perfecting the art of demand and supply, the Bugatti Divo sold out before it was even released. Only 40 Divos will be built and their owners have all signified interest by paying $5 million each.
8 8. LA VOITURE NOIRE IS WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE NEW CAR
La Voiture Noire is being built in honor of an Iconic Bugatti – the missing 1938 Type 57SC Atlantic. The 57SC Atlantic is a classic vintage car that was created by Ettore Bugatti’s oldest son, Jean Bugatti. Only four of the classic masterpiece was made – three have been fully restored and put on display while the fourth’s whereabouts remain a mystery.
The unfinished La Voiture Noire – named after the missing Atlantic – was unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show as Bugatti said it will take two and a half years to complete the masterpiece. It’s been sold for $18.68 Million.
7 7. DIAMOND ENCRUSTED ACCESSORIES
The Bugatti brand is so committed to exclusivity and luxury in building their cars that they wouldn’t mind doing the unimaginable to achieve it. This quest for unrivaled luxury can be seen in some Bugatti cars that have made use of diamonds as accessories. Yes, diamonds!
All Chirons are fitted with diamonds, but the location of these gems vary – this is probably done intentionally as a means of security – as it’s only made known to the owner. However, on the list of options, a Bugatti owner can opt to have a one-carat diamond-studded speedometer.
6 6. 3-D BRAKE CALIPERS MADE OF TITANIUM
How do you have brake calipers made of titanium? But that’s exactly what Bugatti is doing with the Chiron’s brakes and we can’t help but applaud the ingenuity. At 261 mph, the Chiron is so fast it’ll need some huge and heavy locomotive-scale brakes to bring it to a halt from top speed.
“Huge” and “heavy” aren’t among words Bugatti handlers like to hear; in fact, they spend millions of dollars on research and tests to forestall that. To solve this problem, Bugatti invented 3-D crafted titanium components that will reduce the weight of the huge aluminum-forged brakes by 40%.
5 5. THE LA VOITURE NOIRE MYSTERY
Not your conventional cool fact but if you love mystery, the disappearance of the La Voiture Noire could be an appropriate feature on this list for you. It all began in the 1930s when Ettore Bugatti’s son, Jean Bugatti, through some unique inspiration created the designs of the Bugatti Type 57.
The Type 57SC Coupe with chassis No. 57453 was the second of the four Atlantic models made as a variant of the Type 57. Originally ordered and owned by Nico E. Embiricos, the car was also driven by Jean Bugatti but it was last heard about during the French exodus of 1941.
4 4. BUGATTI AIRCRAFT
You read that right, Bugatti built a plane too. Ettore Bugatti conceived and started the project in 1939. This project was intended to be massive but no thanks to World War II, only one uncompleted plane was produced – the Bugatti Model 100.
The war affected France so severely leading to the eventual fall of Paris. On Bugatti’s order, the aircraft was uncoupled and kept in storage to be completed after the war. Bugatti died in 1947 without resuming work on the project making the Model 100 the only aircraft produced by Bugatti.
3 3. VEYRON’S UNIQUE RADIATORS
Radiators are used to transfer heat from one medium to another producing a cooling effect and heat as the situation requires. In cars, they are used to cool internal combustion engines; therefore most cars with such engines have one. As an indicator of how much heat the Veyron generates, it has 10 radiators.
Three radiators are used for air-to-liquid intercoolers, three dedicated to the engine, one each for the engine oil, differential, transmission, and air conditioning system. With the help of these radiators, the Veyron drives smoothly without any overheating issues.
2 2. BUGATTI AUTORAIL
In 1933, Bugatti like other car making companies was compelled to venture into the auto rail business. The decision was born out of necessity rather than business adventure as the Great Depression of the 30s made it extremely difficult for people to own cars – even royals couldn’t afford their accustomed luxury vehicles.
Wagon Rapide was the first auto rail released by Bugatti while 86 more were produced between 1933 and 1938 to ease the transportation burden triggered by the economic meltdown and World War II. In 1958, Bugatti Autorails had its last passenger trip.
1 1. HONORARY CAR NAMES
Car companies have a different approach to how they come up with car names. While the company itself often takes the name of the founder, naming the cars being produced is not that straight forward. Handing cool and appropriate names out to cars is quite essential, but a greater determining factor in car sales is its performance.
As for Bugatti, the company prefers naming its car after former Bugatti race drivers in honor of their achievements. Veyron was named after legendary race driver Pierre Veyron, Chiron after Monegasque driver Louis Chiron and Divo after French racing driver Albert Divo.