FYI: Bugatti Reveals Rare Design Concepts at German Museum Seminar
In a captivating ode to its illustrious history, Bugatti has unveiled a collection of unique design studies that have never been shown to the public before. These revelations coincide with a special seminar on the automaker’s storied legacy. Enthusiasts and history buffs alike can explore these intriguing insights at the National Automobile Museum in Dietzherztal, Germany, from November 8th to 9th. This event promises a visual feast for visitors, as the museum is home to the iconic Low Collection, which admirably showcases many historic Bugatti cars.
Exploring the Road Not Taken
The design studies offer a fascinating glimpse into Bugatti’s creative journey under Volkswagen Group’s stewardship, highlighting paths not traveled on their way to creating automotive masterpieces. Among these, you’ll find unused conceptual designs for a Veyron successor and fascinating suggestions for diversifying Bugatti’s model lineup. A notable highlight from 2008 is a proposed modern reincarnation of the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic Coupe—a revered masterpiece of its time. Only four of the original models were produced between 1936 and 1938, and today they achieve astronomical prices at auctions, often reaching eight-figure sums.
While the modern Atlantic concept never came to fruition, Bugatti’s ambitions eventually led to the production of the Chiron, which followed the renowned Veyron. During the seminar, Bugatti will also lift the veil on various early design concepts for their supercars, including an unused iteration of the 2015 Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Concept. This design served as an initial inspiration for the Chiron and displays fundamental differences from the final version, such as separated fenders and enhanced aerodynamic features.
Paying Homage to Racing Heritage
Bugatti’s design team also explored the idea of a contemporary tribute to the illustrious Type 35, a hallmark in the realm of racing cars. Between 2015 and 2018, they developed two models embodying this concept. One features the sleek aesthetics of a futuristic track marvel, reminiscent of the drafts for the Bugatti Bolide. Meanwhile, the other showcases an open-wheel roadster, nicely melding the legendary Type 35’s spirit with refined modern accents.
Comprehensive Seminar on Bugatti’s Rich Legacy
Beyond presenting these design studies, the seminar offers a rich exploration of Bugatti’s legacy. This includes the foundational contributions of Ettore Bugatti, the preservation efforts of Fritz Schlumpp—who assembled a collection of 30 Bugatti cars—and the brand’s tumultuous 1990s chapter under the Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli.
For the passionate followers of automotive history and Bugatti’s profound influence, this seminar is not to be missed. It presents a unique opportunity to appreciate the vision behind some of the most revered automobiles while pondering what could have been.
For more insights and updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi, or on Twitter @automotivefyi.
Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
