Bugatti Destrier is W16-powered 'masterpiece'
Bolide not sufficiently exclusive? Here's what Project Solitaire can do
There are supercar customisation programmes, and then there’s Bugatti Project Solitaire. Thus far it has produced just two one-offs, both absolute knockouts: the Veyron-inspired F.K.P Hommage, and the almighty Brouillard of last year. This is the third, the Bolide-derived Destrier, said to be nothing less than a ‘masterpiece of pure elegance’. Hard to imagine there’ll be many disagreeing with that…
Furthermore, while ‘Bolide with Touring Package’ sells this epic commission short, it’s easy to see the association: this is still the same phenomenal track car underneath - here with 1,600hp and a carbon tub, don’t forget - albeit with a less racy body on top. Plus a healthy dollop of opulence for the Destrier; sufficiently so, in fact, decked out in leather, nubuck and a 3D-knitted textile instead of carbon and titanium, to be referred to as boasting ‘the quiet warmth of a tailor’s atelier.’ There’s no such thing as a bad Bugatti interior, of course, but the Destrier’s combination of the finest materials with motorsport goodies - see the harnesses, the wheel, and the digital dash - really is something very special.
The inside is almost as special, in fact, as the stunning exterior. Gone are the Bolide’s downforced focused spoilers, replaced with a smoother, sleeker silhouette. Or, as Bugatti rather more artfully puts it: ‘Named after the finest, and strongest type of medieval knight’s horse, the Destrier asks: what if the most extraordinary Bugatti engineering package ever created was untouched by wings, vents, and aerodynamic addenda, appreciated purely for its proportions?’ So even by Bugatti standards, this is truly jaw-dropping, just a metre tall but with significantly larger wheels - a 20/21-inch staggered setup - than a Bolide (which runs on 18s) for maximum presence.
Even on the perfectly preened lawns of Monterey Car Week where the Destrier will make its debut, expect every pair of colourful chinos to be crowded around the Sapphire Celeste Bugatti. And if they’re talking about how the hammered surface finish of the underbonnet brightwork is ‘a subtle nod to the hand-beaten armour of the medieval knight’, then you’ll know where they read it…
Specific details of this ‘fresh chapter in Bugatti’s design vocabulary’ include a wider horseshoe grille, a rear wing reminiscent of the Chiron Profilée, and a Bugatti C-line that now ‘breathes’ down the side of the car. Moreover, while this surely points to some future design themes, there’s also a nod to Bugatti heritage here; cars as different as the Bolide and the Destrier demonstrate what can be achieved with huge investment on common architecture. Just as it was, way back when, the Type 57 became cars as diverse as the 57G and 57SC Atlantic - the former was known as the ‘Tank’, the latter is often thought of as one of the most beautiful cars ever. Bugatti suggests that the latest machines continue the tradition of ‘one chassis, two entirely different expressions’. So much so, in fact, that there’s a dedication plaque to the Type 57 above the windscreen.
“Destrier is not a car you understand with your head, it is a car you feel with your heart,” said Frank Heyl, Director of Design. (Which sounds a lot like every Bugatti, in truth, but anyway.) “The Bolide gave us the most extreme proportions we have ever created, and by freeing them from the Bolide’s relentless pursuit of downforce, we let them speak as pure sculpture. Just as the Type 57 chassis gave the world both a Le Mans winner and the Atlantic, one platform has now produced two entirely different masterpieces. I believe Destrier will be gracing Concours lawns 50 years from now.” That seems beyond much doubt, along with those previous Project Solitaire builds. And whatever comes next, of course…
And you need a track to do it on.
So, what's the point? Answer: it's just a dick-swinging contest for the ultra-rich.
If you cared about driving, you'd buy a much lighter, manual car - probably with about half the power at the most.
With this, the electronics are doing so much of the driving for you. Otherwise, you'd crash.
[Copy and paste hypercars = copy and paste comment.]
And you need a track to do it on.
So, what's the point? Answer: it's just a dick-swinging contest for the ultra-rich.
If you cared about driving, you'd buy a much lighter, manual car - probably with about half the power at the most.
With this, the electronics are doing so much of the driving for you. Otherwise, you'd crash.
[Copy and paste hypercars = copy and paste comment.]
I'm not inclined to dismiss cars with this kind of power outright until I've driven one. Like you, II reckon schlepping down the M5 in this doesn't feel that different in this than it does in a "lesser" high-end GT car even with a third of the power, assuming you have even a passing regard to speed limits. I'm not certain though, so if someone wants to chuck me the keys to one of these and say a new Conti GT to compare, you're more than welcome
I think this looks fantastic and, like other Bugatti products over the last 20 odd years, is an incredible technical achievement. Not sure on the interior design though, give it a proper wheel and I think it would look better.
I wish I could experience a W16 at full chat....
t.Which makes it utterly useless. A luxury track car?
Although it is true that the tyrannical kleptocrat who likely ordered it is probably not that bothered about road homologation rules.
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