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 (1,479 hp / 1,103 kW) and 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft) 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 ($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.