Bugatti has largely kept its 16 C Galibier sedan concept under wraps — first unveiling the super sedan at an exclusive event at the Frankfurt Motor Show before showing the concept to a select group in Geneva — but the French automaker has released a second set of images of the ultra-luxury four-door, this time decked out in all black.
Following the footsteps of the outrageous Veyron, the Galibier features a 16-cylinder motor in a W-configuration displacing a whopping 8.0 liters. And as if that wasn’t enough, engineers also slapped on dual two-stage superchargers – replacing the quad-turbocharger setup found on the Veyron. Official horsepower figures have not been disclosed, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a number approaching 1,000 hp for a few reasons.
Early figures coming out of Bugatti suggested the car would have just 800 horsepower, but then things took a turn for the better. “The Galibier didn’t have four-digit power,†Bugatti head Wolfgang Dürheimer told AutoExpress. “It has to be above 1,000bhp. We shouldn’t limit ourselves.â€
Bugatti says the car’s exterior is inspired by the torpedo-like Type 35, while also evoking cues from the Type 57.
Most of the structure is carbon fiber, but the doors and fenders make use of carefully sculpted aluminum. The interior, which has room for four, makes use of similarly exotic materials, albeit of a different variety. The cabin is adorned with the highest quality wood and leather, juxtaposed by an ultramodern LCD center console.
As mentioned, mechanical specifications and performance numbers have not yet been disclosed. Originally, the Galibier was to go on sale sometime in 2012 – with a price tag of approximately $1.4 to 1.6 million, according to Bugatti. Now, Bugatti head Wolfgang Durheimer is said to be disappointed with the Galibier’s levels of comfort and performance, forcing Bugatti engineers to go back to the drawing board. Reports indicated that the Galibier might have been ready for a 2012 launch, but Durheimer’s new standards will undoubtedly delay that launch date.
Production is expected to run 1,500 units, or about five times as many as the outgoing Veyron.
