[Barrister]

Source: New Bugatti saloon in 2013 - Autocar.co.uk

The Bugatti 16 C Galibier super-saloon concept is poised to be given the green light for production, following positive reaction to the concept car.

The Galibier has been on tour since last September, visiting Bugatti customers, the media and motor shows as Bugatti assesses its suitability as a replacement for the Veyron. Production of the hypercar will end in 2012.

See the Bugatti 16 C Galibier pictures

A decision on the Galibier had been expected this spring, but Bugatti’s position as the smallest of VW’s brands has meant it has had to wait its turn for Group funds. Each of the 300 Galibiers earmarked for production from 2013 is expected to retail for around £900,000.

Despite this high price, the funds required for development are small within the context of the group. But VW is currently trying to raise around €4bn (£3.6bn) in a share sale and has frozen any announcements on new products. It is worried that committing to a new Bugatti model will have an adverse effect on its attempts to raise the funds.

The reaction to the car has been overwhelmingly positive and Bugatti insiders claim there is now a strong will within the Volkswagen Group to make the car. It is almost certain to be signed off for production this summer after the share sale has ended.

“It will be made one way or the other,” said one insider. “We’re the smallest VW Group member and there’s a recession on so we’ve not been a priority.

“But we can expect to announce something by the summer; it looks good, people like it and it wouldn’t be a great financial commitment in the context of the Group.”

The Galibiers are influenced by the Veyron and the fuselage styling of the classic Bugatti Type 35.

Its doors and wings are constructed from aluminium, but the rest of the body is made from carbonfibre. Carbonfibre is also used in the front end of the chassis to add stiffness and keep weight down.

A weight hasn’t been given, although Bugatti wants the Galibier to be the lightest car in its class. The four-seat cabin is more luxurious than the Veyron and has a more minimal design.

Powering all four of the Galibier’s wheels is the Veyron’s W16 engine, tuned to produce around 800bhp, albeit using twin mechanical superchargers rather than the Veyron’s four turbochargers.

The Galibier probably won’t have the Veyron’s DSG gearbox, either; instead it’s expected to use a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

But like the Veyron, it will be exceptionally fast. Bugatti tech boss Wolfgang Schreiber has said he wants the production Galibier to “be the world’s fastest, highest accelerating and powerful four-door”.

[TTM0TION]

I am one who loves this car!!!

[Barrister]

They just have to get rid of that terrible exhaust.

Besides that, I think it is great.

[D55L]

This car will be great 4-door hypercar. I just hope that rumors are true and Bugatti is not going to go with Galibier only and will bring proper next generation supercar also. There were talks that Bugatti will is looking for the right way to expand model range.

[AutoCritical]

I did a quick review on the design of the Galibier. My favorite part is how they have an integrated theme with the interior of the 'spine' that runs down the middle of the vehicle. Not sure how I feel about the all black version after the chrome/blue concept... what was the response to it that made them release a more conventional looking color theme?

AutoCritical 2009 Bugatti 16 C Galibier Twittique ? A quick design review

[D55L]

Yes, the response to chrome and blue carbon fiber concept in Europe was not so good, so they made it in more traditional way.

[alkyoneus]

it looks like a bentley gt profile.

[mattjs33]

Not quite yet Officially confirmed for production, but still the closest thing to offical news that's been seen yet:

Volkswagen OKs production of the Bugatti 16C Galibier, report says - AutoWeek Magazine


Volkswagen OKs production of the Bugatti 16C Galibier, report says


The Bugatti 16C Galibier will have a projected sticker price of $1.4 million.

By DALE JEWETT on 4/01/2011

Volkswagen AG has agreed to fund production of the Bugatti 16C Galibier sedan, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing two unnamed sources that had knowledge of the project.

The 16C Galibier would join the Veyron sports car in Bugatti's lineup. But Galibier production may not start for two to three years while Bugatti retools its boutique manufacturing plant in Molsheim, France.

The ultraluxury sedan was first shown in 2010 as a concept at the Geneva motor show. It shares the 16-cylinder, 1,000-hp engine used in the Veyron. Speculation on a price tag centers on 1 million euros, or about $1.4 million at current exchange rates.

Bloomberg said that new Bugatti and Bentley chief, Wolfgang Duerheimer, has been pushing for approval of the Galibier since he arrived from Porsche in February.

Bugatti began building the Veyron in 2005 and limits output to about 50 cars per year. The company says it won't build more than 300 Veyrons.


Sorry to revive this year-old thread, but this location seemed the most appropriate.

[Alex12de]

Yeah i am not very sure of the exhausts too, but i really like the rest of the car.

[POWERHOUSE]

800 HP? I'm a fan