Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. Rumors surfaced earlier this year that Bugatti was planning a Rolls-Royce -rivaling sedan that would launch after the Veyron’s production run ended in 2011 or 2012, and a very similar rumor has been shot out of the rumor mill today.
Bugatti has already confirmed that it is readying a new model to carry on the torch once the Veyron rides off into the sun set, but the VW-owned supercar maker has been mum on any details. However, Automotive News speculates that the new model will be a super sedan, aimed squarely at offerings from Rolls-Royce and Maybach .
Bugatti ’s corporate sibling – Bentley – is currently developing an all-new Arnage, which could serve as the perfect platform for Bugatti’s ultra-luxury sedan. The new sedan would rival the best in the business in regards to luxury amnesties, but would blow away the competition in performance – thanks to the Veyron’s 16.4L quad-turbocharged engine lurking underhood.
While a 1,000 horsepower powerplant seems a little insane for a sedan, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibilities. Bentley has already stuffed an Arnage prototype with the Veyron’s mighty engine – although detuned to ‘only’ 987 horsepower – proving the feat is possible. VW is also looking to recoup some of the money it sunk into the Veyron’s powertrain development, so offering the W16 in other models would be a logical step.
No official word from Bugatti, but there seems to be a little too much smoke for this rumor not to have any foundation in reality.
