Follow us on Twitter2010 Bugatti 16 C Galibier
So, it looks like Bugatti is finally going to be going ahead with that sedan they’ve been speaking about in hushed tones forever. For the past century or so, rumors have said the thing will be called the Boudreaux, and that it would feature a tuned-down version of the Veyron drivetrain. Finally, although not officially, the big Bugatti sedan, now to be called the Bugatti 16 C Galibier, has been revealed.
Appropriately enough, the car was given a preview in Molshiem, France, the ancestral home of Bugattis (before they became, essentially, uber-VWs all dressed in sang blu). To call the car striking might be a bit of an understatement. It has a big, heavy road presence, even in photographs.
Bugatti says the big sedan, which should hit the streets sometime in 2010 is set to be “the most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four door automobile in the world.” Hard to argue with that, or at least the ‘exclusive and powerful’ parts. Elegant will be in the eye of the beholder. Although the polished metal sure looks nice.
One other thing to note is that pretty smart integration of the central spine that runs down the back and over the rear glass. An homage to the Bugatti Atlantics of old, I would imagine. As is the traditional horseshoe grill, which seems much better integrated into the 16 C Galibier’s from than on the Veyron
Under the huge hood sits a huge engine. The mill is a 8.0 Liter 16 cylinder engine pumped up with a two stage supercharging system and an ethanol mode (whatever that might be). All that power (unmentioned at this time) gets to the tarmac via a four wheel drive system, and is controlled with a performance suspension stopped with exotic ceramic brakes.
On the inside it’s retro, retro, retro – except of that small-ish flatscreen. It has a simplicity that is very reminiscent of Packards and Maybachs and, well, Bugatti sedans from the 1920s and 30s. There are two centrally located dials and the now fashionable analog clock on the main dash, and that’s about it. And no, not just any clock, it’s from Parmigiani, a Swiss fine watchmaker. It’s removable and called Reverso Tourbillon, that can be worn on the wrist via a cleverly designed leather strap.
Source: TopSpeed
If only the Veyron had this interior. It looks so warm and inviting.
Can’t say I’m particularly attracted to this one at all. I like the central spine (which you’ll notice, makes it’s way down the windshield too) because it’s different. The grille is much better proportioned on this model than on the Veyron, and the rear end is reminiscent of the old Bugatti race cars.
There is much to like, but it seems as if we’re building steam ships inspired by the motor boats of our youth, here. It’s just too damn big, imo.
Tony, the fact that it doesnt look like every other car in the market place is cool to me, I am glad to see the design team took a chance and developed a new design concept for a four door sedan, the interior also looks very cool. I’am sure that it is faster then most other four dour sedans.
Im passionate about audi/vw/bugatti to begin with. That stated i dont quite see how you could not become passionate about such a machine. This is what cars should look like. I feel as though i could stand in awe of this for many hours and find new facets to admire with with each passed. if only i could get behind the wheel of one if just for a moment….. im sure that is a feeling of pure extacy
I don’t know why it’s not showing up yet, but I just got the email with AudiKid’s comment and I had to drop everything to reply again.
If there is one thing that all true gear heads have in common, it’s that, deep down inside each of us, there is a fire burning. That fire is fueled by any number of different aspects of being a gear head. It could be the sound of Italian V12s screaming past the grandstands at Le Mans, or the roar of Detroit muscle as it lifts the front wheels to the sky at the drag strip. It could be a particular model or brand. I believe it’s a little bit of all these things in each of us.
We spend a lot of time talking about cars here. We review them, discuss their finer (and lesser) points, and generally treat them as machines. We act as though we need to show the outside world that we are capable of rational, objective thought when it comes to cars, but I think that it’s important to recognize, respect, and celebrate, passion above all else.
AudiKid’s comment (which I hope will show up here soon) reflects that passion in each of us. His comment was inspired and, as a result, shines a new light on this Bugatti for me. I *still* think it’s a hulking behemoth, but it hearkens back to the days of the super luxurious ocean liners, proudly making their way across the oceans of the world in grand splendor.
With that point of view, I can say that this Bugatti lives up to the aims of the designers. Exclusive, powerful, and entirely elegant.
Thanks for the inspired comment, AudiKid. That made my day.
@Brian and @AudiKid: Sorry for the delay guys; as a new commenter AudiKid’s thoughts went into moderation hence the slight delay.
However I totally agree with you Brian, and the cold analytical side of motoring journalism is something we’ve been against from Day 1 at CarThrottle.com, hence why you see that each post is full of author opinion and shows the great knowledge that our authors have amassed due to their love and passion for the performance car niche.
I figured as much, Adnan.
One thing I’ve liked about Car Throttle from Day One, is the laid back, real car guys talking about cars vibe here. My comment on passion wasn’t so much saying that the discussions are in any way cold and careless, but to remind us all to nurture that fire inside that makes us want to grab the car right off the screen and play with it in the sandbox out in the backyard until mom calls us in for lunch.
STUNNING … I love that Bugatti manage to look like nothing else on the road … the design detail here is a work of art.
Truth is, I’m still not amazed by this look. It’s simple and it’s because, brands like Citrogen latest 4 door concept, Aston Martin Rapide, Lamborghini Estoque and really so much more! So Having this to be designed by a company like Bugatti may not be that amazing after all. When I first saw this, I became a strong fan of the Gallibier 16C. BUT when I see the Cirtrogen, I was like.. WOW. Who will Citrogen ever design such a modal. Perhaps, they might need to simplify the body work for it to be a production line car. But still, Citro made an impact in most car designer’s design folio ever since.
on the front,it looks like a Chrysler 300 and on the back it looks like a Porsche Panamera turbo.
Yeah Brian, there seem to be an influence of an old liner to the car. No longer that aviation setting that the Veyron has. This features a much calmer design which IMO, is inclined towards a least sportier person? A person looking for comfort a little more than speed like the Maybach version of Veyron(if you get me, Maybach comfort + Veyron’s speed infused).
What struck me though is how simple it looks! Comparing this to a Range Rover Vogue or the interior of a yacht, this sure looks more like the interior of a yacht. Maybe Bugatti got some surprises installed in there with the modern design slogan always going, simplicity is the step to complexity. Whatever it is, this car sure look humble and proportionate and not all that sharp and intimidating a LP-640 has, which is good, it gives you a neutral mood, that’s important especially if you’re meeting your workmates in the morning. You don’t want to go meet them with blood in adrenaline! Hahah.