Bugatti is closing the penultimate chapter in the W-16’s story by wrapping up Bolide production. Molsheim’s ultimate track toy is officially no more, with the 40th and final car built and handed over to its rightful owner, or better said, picked up directly from the factory in northeastern France.
The owner who paid €4 million for a car they can’t drive on public roads is a Bugatti collector with a classic Type 35 in the garage, a hugely successful racing machine from nearly a century ago. We should also mention that this wealthy customer owns a Veyron Grand Sport, which, like the Bolide, is the very last of its kind.
The Veyron and Bolide share a Black Blue and Special Blue Lyonnais exterior over a Lake Blue interior drenched in Alcantara. The result is truly sensational, and we can’t help but wonder whether any of the 40 owners will pursue a road-legal conversion. In fact, British engineering firm Lanzante recently revealed it’s working to help a Bolide earn a license plate.
Remember how we said Bugatti is closing the penultimate chapter in the W-16’s book? That’s because customer deliveries of the Mistral are still underway. The final model to feature the iconic engine, introduced 20 years ago on the Veyron, is a roadster limited to 99 units. Deliveries of the fastest roofless car ever made began in February, and once production wraps up, the W-16 bows out.
In its place, Bugatti has developed an all-new V-16 for the Chiron-replacing Tourbillon, with deliveries beginning next year. Gone are the quad turbochargers, as the new Cosworth-developed engine switches to a naturally aspirated setup. It also features a larger displacement (8.4 liters versus 8.0) and serves as the heart of a hybrid system, because yes, even Bugatti must meet stricter emissions regulations.
Although a V-16 is coming, the venerable W-16 might still make headlines in the years ahead. The new Programme Solitaire, dedicated to existing powertrains and chassis, will spawn one-off commissions like the Brouillard. Essentially, Bugatti is taking a page from Pagani’s book by breathing new life into older cars with refreshed styling and updated hardware.
Who knows, the Veyron and Chiron could become the next Zonda, a car that refuses to die despite debuting back in 1999.
Final Bugatti Bolide
Source: Bugatti
