Upcoming Cars 2015

The plush and powerful four seater, unveiled as a concept ahead of the Frankfurt show two years ago, is tipped to succeed the Veyron as the Molsheim factory’s staple manufacturing

product, and could be in owners hands as early as autumn 2013 if VW Group chiefs okaythe plans this autumn as expected.

According to Bugattis new chief, Wolfgang DLirheimer,who succeeded Franz-Josef Paefgen at both the French-based company and at Bentley last February, engineers have been "deepIy invoIved" for many months in productionising the car. It uses unique chassis and running gear but shares the Veyron’s

8.0-litre Wl6 engine and may use a refined version of its unique, UK-built eight-speed gearbox.

The Galibier, which draws styling influence from the Veyron butalso alludes to the classic Atlantic coupé with a spine running longitudinally over its roof and rear deck, was proposed with a 900bhp, twin- supercharged version of the Veyrons 987bh p, quad turbo W16 engine, but it will probably need even more power in

production. Diirheimer believes the car needs a "four-digit" power output, and that "as long as I’m

around" it must be the fastest thing on the r0ad.This implies the Galibier will need a sub-3.0sec

0-60mph time and a top speed beyond 240mph. The new chief is also understood to have ordered

improvements to the cars interior space, believing that the concept offered too little rear

room for its 5.4 metre length.

Bugatti is believed to be putting the finishing touches to the Galibier business case, which could involve production of between 500 and 1500 units — in several models — over five or six years. Most sales, Bugatti believes, will be to existing Veyron owners. For the foreseeable future, Diirheimer says, Bugatti will make extraordinary models one at a time, though it could eventually benefit from having a range.

Dtirheimerwontdiscuss the GaIibier’s price, beyond the fact that it will be extraordinary. “lt’s

the last thing we’II decide when the car is close to production," he said, but customers can expect

little change from £1.5 million. STEVE CROPLEY