Most Expensive Bugatti in the World: Bugatti La Voiture Noire, A Closer Look

Key Highlights:

• Only one example of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire exists.
• As per reports, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire cost about €11 million back in June 2021 (close to ₹100 crore in then exchange rates).
• Rumours that footballer Cristiano Ronaldo owns it are false.

Ever since the ‘Bugatti’ nameplate was revived in 1998 by Volkswagen Group as Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., the French automotive manufacturer has introduced some iconic pieces of benchmark automotive engineering. Bugatti was originally established in 1909 by Franco-Italian automotive designer Ettore Bugatti. 

Record-breaking speed, exclusivity and multi-million dollar price tags are usual traits of a modern Bugatti hypercar. Perhaps the most popular Bugatti model among the wider non-enthusiast population is the Veyron, especially since it surpassed the halo speedometer reading of 400km/h. In July 2010, the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport became the fastest road-legal production car in the world, after touching a top speed of 431km/h. The title is currently owned by the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, which hit an astonishing 496.32km/h. Higher claims made remain theoretical, based on advanced simulations.

Bugatti is currently part of Bugatti Rimac, a joint venture under Rimac Group and Porsche AG. Rimac Group (the parent company of Croatian automotive manufacturer Rimac Automobili) owns the majority stake of 55%. 

Bugatti La Voiture Noire: The Most Exclusive Modern Bugatti

From an automotive connoisseur’s perspective, the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic carries the most significance in the brand’s original prewar portfolio. Only four examples were ever made, three of which were sold to Bugatti’s clients, while the second one, painted in black, was personally owned by Jean Bugatti (son of Ettore Bugatti). While the whereabouts of the other three are on official records, this particular car remains missing.

Historians state that in February 1941, the car was secretly transferred to a separate hideout whilst all four were on a train to Rue Alfred Daney, Bordeaux in southwestern France. This was done to prevent the Germans from finding and potentially stealing or destroying it during the Second World War.

Unveiled as a concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show (the final iteration of the prestigious automotive event), the Bugatti La Voiture Noire or ‘The Black Car’, serves as a modern tribute to the missing Jean Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic. Only one unit of the “Lah Vwa-tur Nwar” was ever built — this makes it the most exclusive Bugatti in modern times. The car was delivered to its high-profile customer in June 2021.

Bugatti La Voiture Noire: Specs & Performance Figures

Powering the Bugatti La Voiture Noire is the familiar 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine from the Chiron range. Output figures, though not officially mentioned, are expected to be similar, while the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel-drive powertrain are tweaked to modern standards for a ‘grand tourer’ driving character. The car was never meant to be a top-speed chaser, and hence, the performance numbers could be lower (in Bugatti standards).

For reference, the Bugatti W16 Mistral, the final production car to feature this legendary powertrain, churns out 1,600ps @ 7,050rpm and 1,600Nm @ 2,250 @ 7,000rpm (a nod to the ‘16’). The hypercar can hit 100km/h from a standstill in just 2.4 seconds, 200km/h in 5.6 seconds, 300km/h in 12.1 seconds and 400km/h within 30 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 380km/h in regular driving modes. A dedicated ‘Top Speed’ mode pushes this to 420km/h. Not the fastest modern Bugatti, but plenty fast nevertheless,

Who Owns the Bugatti La Voiture Noire?

Contrary to popular belief, the owner of the one-off Bugatti La Voiture Noire is NOT footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Convincing sources claim that the car was originally built for Ferdinand Karl Piëch, the architect behind the current Volkswagen Group and a key figure in the creation of icons such as the Porsche 911, Audi Quattro and even the Bugatti Veyron. Ferdinand Piëch is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche AG and the mastermind behind the Volkswagen Beetle.

Unfortunately, Ferdinand Piëch passed away in August 2019. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire is believed to be with his son, Anton Piëch. In fact, many have spotted it on numerous occasions in Switzerland, wearing the number plate ‘ZG 53952’.

It is worth appreciating that such a capable piece of machinery is actually driven on public roads rather than being tucked away in a private mansion.

Bugatti La Voiture Noire’s Eye-Watering Price

The La Voiture Noire is presently the most expensive ‘new Bugatti’ ever made. It carried a price tag of  €11 million before taxes back in June 2021 (or roughly ₹100 crore in then exchange rates) — still a tad high despite applying a Volkswagen family group discount coupon.

If Money Doesn’t Bring Happiness, Exclusivity Does

Rephrasing the words of a famous German, one could argue that “everybody is a Bugatti fan, even if (they say) they’re not; they are Bugatti fans”. Owning a Bugatti is an achievement, but owning a one-off Bugatti is a statement. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire will most likely stand the test of time, unlike the prewar classic car it pays tribute to. 

There will be several one-off Bugattis in the future, but no other La Voiture Noire. And no matter how ridiculous it may sound, this 11-million-euro, one-of-a-kind hypercar finished in ‘Black Carbon Glossy’ will have at least one component underneath that is found in an average Volkswagen family car.

FAQs

1. When was Bugatti La Voiture Noire unveiled?
The hypercar was unveiled as a concept at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2019 (the final edition of the prestigious automotive event).

2. What does the name ‘La Voiture Noire’ mean?
The name ‘La Voiture Noire’ stands for ‘The Black Car’ in French.

3. What is the top speed of Bugatti La Voiture Noire?
Bugatti has not officially released the La Voiture Noire’s top speed, but it will surely reach around 420km/h.

4. Is Cristiano Ronaldo the owner of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire?
Although rumours initially claimed so, the actual owner is believed to be from the Piëch family (descendants of Ferdinand Porsche).

5. What are the engine specs of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire?
It is powered by an 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine making around 1600ps and 1600Nm while mated to a 7-speed DCT that sends power to all four wheels.