Bugatti 16 C Galibier Concept Revealed

By Thami Masemola
September 14, 2009 5:25 PM
Filed Under: Bugatti, Concept Car, German

Bad news first. The all-new Bugatti 16 C Galibier Concept car is not for Frankfurt consumption. Sorry. But it will be officially revealed at an exclusive event in the next few hours. Good news is that we have some details on what Bugatti CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen describes as "most exclusive, elegant and most powerful sedan in the world."

Power comes from the works 8-litre 16-cylinder motor with two-stage supercharging. It can churn out between 588kW (800hp) and 735kW (1,000hp), all of which is channeled to all four wheels using the AWD system. Standard fuel is petrol but ethanol can be used as an alternative. To stop it running away from the driver is a set of powerful carbon ceramic brakes.

True to the teaser images that were flashed recently the rear features four exhaust tailpipes on either side while the rear window is integrated with the third brake light which runs vertically from the roof down. The wings and the side doors are made of polished aluminium and the rest of the body is built on dark blue hand-made carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Large LED headlights flank the imposing Bugatti radiator grille.

The interior is characterised by the flowing surfboard-shaped dashboard made of fine wood and leather. The centre console features a large LCD screen while the speedometer has been deliberately placed in the middle of the dash so rear passengers can see just how fast they are moving. A very stylish feature is the Parmigiani removable Reverso Tourbillon Swiss clock which can be worn on the wrist through its cleverly-designed leather strap.

Previously a number of names were suggested for the 16 C Galibier, including Lydia and Bourdeaux. But Bugatti has chosen to name it after the classic 4-door Bugatti Type 57. Galibier is also one of the most difficult alpine passes along the Tour de France.

UPDATE: Video added

Source: Bugatti

Press Release (Click to expand)

As the climax of its centenary celebration ceremonies, Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. presented customers and opinion-makers with the Bugatti 16 C Galibier concept, intended to be the most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four door automobile in the world last weekend in Molsheim. At the historic site where Ettore Bugatti once laid the cornerstone of his company, Bugatti’s current president, Dr. Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen emphasised that the Galibier is one of several concept studies with which the company is considering for the future of the Bugatti marque.

Art - Forme - Technique: those are the brand values to which Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean oriented
themselves in order to develop even more powerful engines and even more noble body designs for each new model, which were without equal in quality, handling, speed and elegance. In the process, they experimented again and again without compromise with new materials; thus was Bugatti one of the first
manufacturers to use aluminium parts for bodies, engine blocks and wheels.

Art - Forme - Technique are also the brand values to which the design and engineering team of Bugatti
Automobiles S.A.S. oriented themselves in the development of the Galibier. With this new four-door
concept car, Bugatti assumes anew a leading role in the use of new material combinations. Thus the body is constructed of handmade carbon fibre parts coloured dark blue so that, when illuminated, the woven structure shimmers through strikingly. Carbon fibre not only possesses unusually great rigidity but is also especially light. The wings and doors are out of polished aluminium.

The Galibier’s design masters the challenge of uniting sportiness with the comfort and elegance of a
modern four-door saloon. The basic architecture picks up on the torpedo-like character of the Type 35,
which was already revived in the Veyron, and reinterprets it. With the typical Bugatti radiator grille, big
round LED headlights and the clamshell running the length of the vehicle which became synonymous
with the brand identity under Jean Bugatti in the Type 57, this car transports the Bugatti genes into the
modern world.

Beneath the bonnet, which folds back from both sides, there resides a 16-cylinder, 8-litre engine with
twostage supercharging. What makes this engine special is that it was developed as a flex-fuel engine and can optional be run on ethanol. Four-wheel drive, specially developed ceramic brakes and a new suspension design enable the agile, always-sure handling of a saloon of this size.

The interior reflects the elemental design of the exterior. The dash panel has been reduced to the essential; two centrally located main instruments keep even the rear passengers constantly informed of the actual speed and previous performance. Parmigiani, the Swiss maker of fine watches, created the removable Reverso Tourbillon clock for the Galibier, which may be worn on the wrist thanks to a cleverly designed leather strap.

“Galibier” is not just the name of one of the most difficult alpine passes along the Tour de France but, in its time, was a version of the four door Type 57 unequalled in sportiness and elegance.

Comments

dmanero
September 14, 2009 5:30 PM
Surprisingly, I'm going to have to say that it's not bad, the front end anyway. thats probably the only part I like about the car. I'd loose the chrome and replace it with black or any other standard bugatti colour.

Shyne
September 14, 2009 5:36 PM
a panamera for the wealthy...hehe looks great. reminds me of their early concept of the veyron and vw's d1 concept too..


Edited by user on September 14, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Turkey
September 14, 2009 5:41 PM
looks like panamera

AG4
September 14, 2009 8:20 PM
I was about to say that too...

carbonsigma
September 15, 2009 2:23 AM
+3, my initial thoughts.

Wickedated
September 14, 2009 5:51 PM
A Panamera for the wealthy indeed. I truly hate this new shape that is coming out in the new designs. The interior of this Bugatti is extremely plain, and this two tone treatment misses the mark. Seems like every new high end car has this metallic/paint combo- i.e. Rolls Royce Ghost. Not impressed at all

politz
September 14, 2009 5:57 PM
hey, i surprisingly DO like it, despite all the over the top details in a pretty much forgettable design... and even though i see lots of panamera in the back and a little saab going on in the headlights... it is still a good, coherent, consistent design. and that interior... well, that is plain GORGEOUS. quite probably the best interior i have ever layed my eyes on. sexy, classic and current. way to go, bugsy.

daviepops
September 14, 2009 6:02 PM
STUNNING ... I love that Bugatti manage to look like nothing else on the road ... the design detail here is a work of art.

Altair477
September 15, 2009 6:00 AM
ya it looks different in ugly way so that wht makes it different "being strangly the ugliest" & look at the back of the car it looks realy cheap man, it looks just Passat CC. so if any one see it in the road know nothing about cars he wont know it worth that much & i guess with some one passing along with Porsche Boxter will turn heads away from u into him... Rolls Royce Ghost looks way better & looks more expensive


Edited by user on September 15, 2009 at 6:02 AM
MTC
September 14, 2009 6:11 PM
It's not ugly at all, it just look stunning like the Veyron, it will be a truly expensive and powerful car

911fnatic
September 14, 2009 6:26 PM
Adding chrome just for the sake of it and getting away with it because its a Veyron. Looks crap. Nice body though, looks like a Bentley CGT from the back.


Edited by user on September 14, 2009 at 6:27 PM
dbehmoaras
September 14, 2009 6:33 PM
It is exactly two Panameras in one body. Just as ugly if you ask me. This is the type of car a tasteless nouveau riche would buy. Therefore the Cote d'Azur will be littered with them.

politz
September 15, 2009 8:56 AM
well, i always think bugattis, lambos and most ferraris SCREAM nouveau riche, but... i fear the wcf fanboy police will come after me.

dbehmoaras
September 15, 2009 6:00 PM
Yea but at least Ferrari and Lamborghini look good so there is some appeal. This is just hideous.

GRAVE
September 14, 2009 6:38 PM
Hate it, the design looks like a panamera which it is not a good thing.

chris25
September 14, 2009 6:44 PM
Not as bad it looks but please remove that PINSTRIPE roof, that looks like '80s style, the interior totally sucks! & also please don't put that two tone colour paint job & who will go 217 mph on this car? where are the roads or unless its meant for flying.

car-o-bar
September 14, 2009 6:49 PM
I am feeling weak in my knees looking at it.... woaow...

Siawa
September 14, 2009 6:50 PM
The front looks amazing but something went awfully wrong going towards rear of this car.

kurac1
September 14, 2009 6:58 PM
ugly! The front looks like a more luxurious chromed Saab, the side profile meh, and the back is just god awful...and wtf do you need 8 exhaust pipes for? What a tasteless car... Disgusting

autoficianado
September 14, 2009 7:04 PM
...strange,as it is a reskinned Panamera...but this Bugatti looks better than the porsche on which it is based...you would think they would have built it off the new Bentley Mulsanne...the Panamera would have been better as the Lamborghini Estogue donor (tho they need to lighten the platform)


Edited by user on September 14, 2009 at 7:06 PM
clinton
September 14, 2009 7:11 PM
I'd be surprised to see the Panamera platform hiding beneath this concept. I doubt Porsche has designed it to cope with the insane power the Galibar is capable of.

scratchy996
September 14, 2009 7:14 PM
this is not based on the Panamera. the W16 needs a special chassis.

scratchy996
September 14, 2009 7:11 PM
outrageous, over the top, imposing, powerful, decadent, yet elegant and beautiful.

beauty is subjective and sometimes you need to understand something to like it. most people who don't like this or the Panamera just don't understand the design.

2010S5
September 14, 2009 7:26 PM
Bleh. Stupid Panamera ass. Could they really not come up with something more sedan-like and original.

Murcielago2006
September 14, 2009 7:30 PM
Took me by surprise! I was expecting a big hideous looking thing, man was I wrong. Looks brilliant.

Piotre_k
September 14, 2009 7:30 PM
Bring back EB112. It still looks better today than this combination of Panamera and Saab 9-5. Only interior is good looking - ascetic and classy.


Edited by user on September 14, 2009 at 7:43 PM
die.bahnfahrer
September 14, 2009 7:43 PM
Not bad... but i expected a bit... "more"

The headlights look like the new from bentley... in a housing from skoda... hm

Looking forward to 7 special editions *hehe*

Shyne
September 14, 2009 8:39 PM
youve expected a bit "more"? more tailpipes?!? ;)

grüße aus düsseldorf! hehe

r1101r
September 14, 2009 7:49 PM
a panamera in sheepskin

catchmyshadow
September 14, 2009 8:04 PM
the video is awesome, what an "uber-sedan"!

TheAlchemist
September 14, 2009 8:48 PM
The reason everyone thinks it looks like a Panamera is the rear. Take a look at the Bugattis of yore; Atlantique, Atlante. This is the style Bugattis have been know for for decades. It's called heritage!

kuklukklak
September 14, 2009 9:56 PM
This is just cost recovering from the production of the Veyron. If this is not a Bugatti, I bet everyone will agree with me that this is ugly as hell. It may be much better without those chrome detail.

N20_Purge
September 14, 2009 10:21 PM
Amazing design!

wait, 1,000bhp in a Saloon. That is totally pointless!

miika
September 14, 2009 10:39 PM
It looks like(... surprise, no references to other cars :) ) ..a very nice place to be in! Interior is super!

norther
September 14, 2009 10:46 PM
i am sorry. as exclusive as it is, it's pig ugly. it has a really nice interior, in fact it is beautiful. but the exterior it's ugly...

nederina
September 14, 2009 11:01 PM
i'll have the phantom and the rest of my change goes to any latest favorable mid engined v8/v10 supercar

maloparac
September 15, 2009 1:29 AM
Good..its not mistace like new Bentley! And pls dont compare with panamera

TheSilentKnight
September 15, 2009 5:12 AM
Well boys and girls, out of 10 I'd give it 8. If Bugatti can just extend the arse-end out somewhat so it looks a teeny bit more sedan-like ( S-class, A8, 7-series, you know what I'm after ) it would be even more stunning. I'm currently at university in Tasmania ( the small island state of Australia that's governed by corrupt socialists ) and I'm thinking of doing a post-graduate course whereby I simply have to make a documentary throughout that year. So what I'm thinking of doing is a Jeremy Clarkson-style 80minute film called "Tristan Newitt's Super Sedans" ( Tristan's my name btw, pleasure to meet you ) and base it in Italy at the Nardo Speed Bowl and racetrack there and test and feature all the current ( in 2011 ) fast 4-door cars in showrooms; so the new-gen Audi S8, Lamborghini Estoque ( if they make it, which I hope they do ), Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, HSV W427, FPV GT-HO, and another dozen others if possible. If Bugatti build this in time, then that'd definitely be featured in my film. What are your thoughts ( please don't be crass, be constructive )?

ExoticCarOwner
September 15, 2009 6:31 AM
I am so pleasently surpised by this. Good going Bugatti.

HommeStar
September 15, 2009 6:45 AM
Magnificent! The interior is to die for. That is luxury at its finest. The lines are so simple and the ornament minimal but the impact is immense. I want to sleep in it. It would be wonderful to wake to that interior with the morning sun just breaking on a crisp fall day Versailles-like grounds. :~

fattychrisbmw
September 15, 2009 8:49 AM
u guys are nuts... panamera looks much better than thi clown...

MK Maestro
September 15, 2009 11:01 AM
Panamera over this any day....this thing is ugly!!

p400sv
September 15, 2009 6:45 PM
Is it a Bugatti or a Skoda?

sfero
September 15, 2009 7:19 PM
Don't get me wrong but IMHO the rear end of the Concept harks back to the Volkswagen D1 Concept from 2000 (http://www.conceptcarz.com//vehicle/z3078/Volkswagen-D1.aspx). Unfortunately I couldn't find any photos that show the D1's rear end but I do remember photos in magazines. Nonetheless, this car is an amazing prospect of Bugatti's future projects.

Andy_Turbo
September 15, 2009 7:20 PM
UGLY......check. POWERFUL.........check. EXCLUSIVE......check. this thing hurts my eye in real life but i like to see it on paper( the stats that is)

Paulds
September 15, 2009 7:57 PM
Mmmm, I don´t know... the interior looks pure, clean, high quality, but the exterior looks akward...something it´s wrong, specially in the back...

benz_man
September 15, 2009 8:01 PM
Hmmmmm, exterior is OK. I like the detailing. Anyone else notice the complete lack of body cut-lines? The carbon-fiber is amazing! Love the minimalist interior. However, I've noticed a few too many VW group parts floating in this concept (even if they are expensive parts-bin compilations). Notice the re-use of the Veyrons HVAC box and plumbing? Or how about those Mulssane LED headlights? I wonder how many there are I can't see?

Alfafox5
September 16, 2009 1:10 AM
The movie is beautiful, the photos - not so much. Perhaps in the metal I would be in love. For now, it looks like a lot of great lines coming together in a way that lacks the passion the video talks about. Namely the large 'eyes' look more surprised than focused, and the profile does not look like the speeding silver arrow it could be. Perhaps more tension would have eliminated the comparisons to the bland Panamera. Perhaps, a faster angle on would have made the silver contrasts seem a bit more energized. I like it overall, but I do not find it attractive, merely well assembled.

Captain Scarlett
September 16, 2009 1:04 PM
Wake me up when its over.

bassam
September 19, 2009 9:01 PM
ahhhhhh, it'ds very beautiful car, amazing design, fasinating video,i love this car ,i feel mmmmmmmmm energetic.

ShinyG
October 2, 2009 12:26 PM
Why is everyone so excited of this blandly designed car? I don’t see anything worth looking at when I see this car. It composed out of different elements taken from VAG’s more popular brands, something that could hardly be considered “high class”. I’m also starting to get bored with the entire “retro” design theme everybody is keen on nowadays! Using old design queues gets old really fast as unusual things like the spine and the split hood were used on old cars for a reason. Using these design elements on a new car is almost as stupid as putting wooden wheels with iron tires (with bling-bling proportions of course) or a hole and a crank under the grill just to be a bit more “retro”. Oh yeah, there’s not enough chrome on this car, we need mooaar chrome! As for the engine, if it took 4 turbos to get 1000bhp out of that unit, I don’t think a single supercharger would manage to do the same. My guess would be that this car would have around 800bhp, enough to have more than any other car in it’s class. Of course, the engine could actually have 1000bhp if they chrome it!

GTurbo
October 28, 2009 4:45 PM
Jaguar and Mercedes retain their pre-eminent reputations as design leaders in the prestige car class. Without the XJ, there won't be a CLS. After the CLS we have the Panamera from Porsche, the Passat CC from VW and now we have the Galibier 16 C from Bugatti; the C for Concept. Oh! There's the Rapide from Aston Martin and Estoque from Lamborghini...You get the picture. Bugatti should make this car to expand the brand portfolio beyond the supersport connotations. Porsche remain independent (before VW's sizeable slice) because they're entrepeneurs; they took a big risk with the Cayenne and it paid off so, why not the Panamera? I just hope VW don't bite too much than they can chew! The only problem with the Galibier 16 C is that it's too derivative as there's hardly any originality (cue Panamera) by virtue of 'corporate face' design strategy.

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