Bugatti has teased a modern-day Type 57 SC Atlantic,
and the ‘La Voiture Noire’ has just broken cover, though it’s not exactly new. Unveiled during the 2019 Geneva
Motor Show, it’s described as “the ultimate GT” by CEO Stephan Winkelmann and
builds on the Chiron, to which it adds a custom, and very impressive, bodywork.
‘La Voiture Noir’ is French for ‘The Black Car’, “a
reminiscence of the Type 57 SC Atlantic”, says Bugatti, and best describes the
glossy black finish chosen for the handcrafted carbon fiber bodywork. Nothing
disturbs the optical flow; the bumpers are integrated into the body and the
window design was inspired by a helmet visor, with the windscreen appearing to
flow seamlessly into the side windows.
There are no surprises in the engine compartment, as
power comes from Bugatti’s 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16. It pushes out 1,500 PS and 1,600 Nm of torque, identical to the
one used in the Chiron and Divo, and “bearing witness to its incredible power”
are the six tailpipes located at the rear.
The La Voiture Noire has become the most expensive
new car of all time, after it was sold for € 16.7 million (US$ 18.9 million), tax
included. If previous reports are correct, the man who purchased it is the
former Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Piech, adding it to his extensive
collection that includes several high-end machines, including Le Mans racers.
