The rumor has it…….there is a lot of rumors that go on in the automotive industry. Many ones at publications with well-connected sources turn out to be true. Earlier this month, news broke about the Bugatti 16C Galibier. With the brand needing a new model after the Veyron had ended its production run, attention has turned on the car Bugatti will introduce next.
The 16C Galibier has widely thought to be that vehicle, but the car was said to be on hold at Bugatti chief Wolfgang Durheimer’s request. He didn’t feel the vehicle offered enough power, space or luxury. Those superlatives are the very essence of what Bugatti is. Setting new records, such as being the world’s fastest and most luxurious production sedan, are musts.
Durheimer was said to have ordered designers and engineers back to the drawing board, tasked with increasing power, space and luxury. Today, Autocar confirms that a decision will be made on a car that is “significantly altered” versus the 16C Galibier Concept we have seen.
The decision will be made by the Volkswagen board at the end of this year on whether to continue development of the vehicle, which is in its second design phase. Durheimer says he will “suggest we continue development, but there will be some remarkable changes from the original concept….the design will be different, especially from the B-pillar back, the ingress and regress to the rear seats will be improved, as will the legroom and ergonomics, the car will be a little longer, and the power of the engine will be at least four figures.”
The changes have been undertaken after feedback from Bugatti’s existing customers, half of which have already sat in and experienced the 16C Galibier. When you have a clientele as well-heeled and limited as Bugatti’s, you definitely listen to the feedback of existing customers before producing a model. At these upper echelons of automotive motoring, there isn’t much room for conquest sales and growing sales. At this point, after the upgrades, we think its is highly likely the Galibier will continue with production. Otherwise, Bugatti would be up a creek without a new model to sell in 2013.
