The Bugatti Royale: A Forgotten Luxury Sedan

Bugatti, a name synonymous with hypercars and high-performance vehicles, had once flirted with the idea of launching a luxury sedan. The legendary Bugatti Royale, a car that was stifled by the Great Depression and only saw the production of six examples, is a testament to the brand’s vision for a high-end sedan. However, the dream of a Bugatti sedan was not completely forgotten, as the company revisited the idea with concepts like the Galibier and the EB 112. Let’s explore the history of these unique sedans and their significance in Bugatti’s legacy.

The Bugatti Royale: A Brief Encounter

Before Bugatti became renowned for its speed and performance, the company had plans to create a luxury sedan that would match the opulence and grandeur of the Bugatti Royale. Unfortunately, the Great Depression halted these plans, and only six examples of the Bugatti Royale were ever built. The Bugatti Royale remains a symbol of a bygone era, embodying the elegance and luxury that Bugatti aspired to create.

The Galibier Concept: A Glimpse into the Future

In 2009, Bugatti unveiled the Galibier concept, showcasing the brand’s vision for a modern high-end sedan. The Galibier featured a striking design and luxurious interior, hinting at Bugatti’s intention to enter the high-end sedan market. However, the global financial crisis at the time caused Bugatti to put the Galibier project on hold, leaving enthusiasts wondering what could have been.

The Revival of the EB 112

As Bugatti celebrated the 30th anniversary of the unveiling of the EB 112 concept, the company reflected on the sedan that never made it to production. The Giugiaro-designed EB 112 was an impressive feat of engineering, featuring a powerful 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivered an exhilarating performance. With a top speed of 186 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.3 seconds, the EB 112 showcased Bugatti’s ability to combine luxury and performance.

The Rise and Fall of Bugatti

While the EB 112 seemed like a promising venture for Bugatti, financial challenges, including Romano Artioli’s investment in Lotus, led to the company’s bankruptcy in 1995. Despite the setback, the Bugatti name was revived when the Volkswagen Group acquired the rights in 1998. Under Volkswagen’s ownership, Bugatti experienced a renaissance with iconic models like the Veyron and the Chiron, cementing the brand’s position in the world of supercars.

An Engaging Piece: Exploring the Legacy of Bugatti Sedans

While the Bugatti sedans may not have made it to market, they remain an essential part of automotive history and provide valuable insights into the brand’s evolution. The concept of a Bugatti sedan raises questions about the intersection of luxury and performance, and how Bugatti envisioned combining these elements in a four-door vehicle. Looking at the legacy of the Bugatti sedans, it is clear that these concepts were ahead of their time and foreshadowed the rise of high-performance fastback models.

Today, other luxury car manufacturers have embraced the fastback design theme, with models like the Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and Porsche Panamera offering a perfect blend of style, performance, and practicality. These vehicles embody the spirit of what Bugatti had envisioned, showcasing the potential of a luxury sedan that doesn’t compromise on speed and performance.

However, the Bugatti sedans remain unmatched in their uniqueness and the evocative power they hold. The Galibier and the EB 112 captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike with their limited production numbers and the legacy they carry. Owning one of these rare sedans is not just a display of wealth and status but also a symbol of appreciating the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating these automotive masterpieces.

As we look to the future, it’s uncertain whether Bugatti will ever revive its plans for a luxury sedan. The company’s focus has primarily been on hypercars and pushing the boundaries of speed and performance. Nevertheless, the allure of a Bugatti sedan lingers, reminding us of the brand’s ambition to create a four-door vehicle that embodies the essence of luxury and performance.

The Evolution of Bugatti: From Sedans to Hypercars

While the Bugatti sedans may have remained as concepts, the brand’s journey from luxury sedans to hypercars is a fascinating one. Bugatti’s revival under the Volkswagen Group has been nothing short of remarkable, with the introduction of groundbreaking models like the Veyron and the Chiron.

The Veyron, unveiled in 2005, revolutionized the automotive industry with its unprecedented performance figures. With a top speed of over 250 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds, the Veyron set new benchmarks for speed and power. It showcased Bugatti’s commitment to pushing the limits of engineering and design, solidifying its position as a manufacturer of the world’s fastest cars.

Building on the success of the Veyron, Bugatti introduced the Chiron in 2016. The Chiron took hypercar performance to new heights, with an astonishing top speed of 261 mph and an upgraded engine producing over 1,500 horsepower. This extraordinary machine combines elegance, luxury, and record-breaking performance, making it the epitome of automotive engineering.

While Bugatti’s focus on hypercars may have shifted its attention away from sedans, it has allowed the brand to establish itself as a leader in the supercar segment. The Bugatti name has become synonymous with exclusivity, innovation, and uncompromising performance, attracting discerning collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.

In conclusion, the Bugatti sedans may have remained as concepts, but they hold a special place in the brand’s history and the automotive world. Their legacy serves as a reminder of Bugatti’s ambition to create groundbreaking vehicles that transcend traditional boundaries. While the sedans never made it to market, they paved the way for Bugatti’s journey into hypercar territory, where the brand continues to push the limits of speed, power, and luxury.

Bugatti today may be recognized for its hypercars, but it wasn’t that long ago that the company was open to launching a high-end sedan in the same vein as Bugatti. the legendary royale—a car that was stifled by the Great Depression, with only six examples built.

The last time Bugatti played with a sedan was in 2009 when it previewed a possible route with the Galibier concept of the s. 16th. The global financial crisis at the time ended up pouring cold water on that project, and a similar story occurred with Bugatti’s earlier attempt to bring a sedan to market, the 1993 EB 112 concept.

Bugatti has revisited the Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed EB 112 to mark the 30th anniversary of its unveiling at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show. It was revealed when Bugatti was still run by Romano Artioli, and only three examples exist, including the original concept.

The EB 112 is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 that makes 450 hp. That’s enough to propel this luxury sedan from 0-62 mph in a claimed 4.3 seconds, and to a top speed of 186 mph. The engine is mounted in a center front position and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, with four-wheel drive.

When it was unveiled, it looked as if Artioli’s revival of Bugatti would be a success. The EB 110 supercar was attracting a lot of positive attention, and Bugatti was even providing design services to other companies. including Suzuki.

However, financial problems, including debts incurred by Artioli after an investment in Lotus, led Bugatti to bankruptcy in 1995. Only 128 examples of the EB 110 supercar they were built before the company went bankrupt, and the EB 112 never progressed beyond concept and two more prototypes.

Although the rights to the Bugatti name were bought in 1998 by the Volkswagen Group, which led to a more lasting renaissance for the brand with the Veyron and today’s Chiron, many assets of the Artioli-led company were sold to Gildo Pallanca Pastor, including the three EB 112s. He eventually made all three examples roadworthy, with two examples, one black and one grey, ending up in private hands. The original red concept returned to Italdesign, Giugiaro’s former design company, now owned by the VW Group.

“The Bugatti EB 112 boasted a number of nostalgic styling features that referenced the legendary French marque’s famous models of the late 1930s, but presented in a car with innovative mechanics,” Giugiaro said in a statement. “The EB 112 in many ways was a dream car and a forerunner of what we know today as high-performance fastback models.”

A look at the pictures shows a fastback shape, but we’d say cars like the Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, and Porsche Panamera have done that design theme better than the EB 112. Still, it’s an interesting part of the story. automotive history that never made it to market.