Bugatti is poised to begin making even more exclusive hypercars. The French marque has just announced the launch of the Programme Solitaire. The new department will specialise in one-offs, like the dazzling Brouillard that made its public debut during Monterey Car Week.
Solitaire draws inspiration from Bugatti’s coachbuilding roots, which trace all the way back to the brand’s founding in 1909. The already bespoke division, called Sur Mesure, but while that program is focused on customising its already existing models, Solitaire aims to give customers to ability to create a one-of-a-kind vehicle that has no equal. To help ensure this, it will build a maximum of just two “masterpieces” per year.
“On a one-of-one, we have much more freedom in the reinterpretation of what Bugatti is, while maintaining the same absolute dedication to perfection in every detail; there will be no compromise to performance, quality, or design,” Hendrik Malinowksi, the automaker’s managing director, said in a statement.
Image: Bugatti
The vehicle’s exterior is downright restrained in comparison to its interior. The cabin, which is completely visible through the glass roof, is clad in green and green-tinted carbon-fiber trim. The horse theme also comes through more clearly, with images of the animal embroidered into the tartan seat inserts and door panels. The gear shifter even features a glass insert with a sculpture of Ettore’s horse.
As striking as Brouillard may be, its headline feature is hidden away in the engine bay. There you’ll find the legendary 8.0-liter W-16 that the company seems unable to fully say goodbye too. Accompanied by a quartet of turbochargers, the mid-mounted mill is capable of 1,578 hp, the same amount as the Mistral. No performance numbers have been released, but the open-top model can accelerate from zero to 60 in 2.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 261 miles.
Unsurprisingly, Bugatti isn’t saying how much the Brouillard costs. Whatever it is, we expect it’s well north of the Mistral’s $5 million starting price.
