BUGATTI MILESTONES IN 2019

The 200^th Chiron produced is a Chiron Sport “110 ans Bugatti”

Molsheim, 10 July 2019. More than two years after production of the Chiron¹ started, Molsheim is proud to announce this month’s delivery of car number 200. And this particular car is more than just the next one off the line – it’s a limited-edition Chiron Sport²“110 ans Bugatti“. This anniversary model of the super sports car has the iconic French Tricolour proudly displayed at various points throughout, in homage to its origins and is destined for Switzerland.

“You can’t feel anything but pride when you see this 200^th Chiron emerge from the factory,” emphasizes Stephan Winkelmann, president of Bugatti. “Also, this model marks the celebration of our company history and recalls our French heritage. The different shades of blue used on this Chiron Sport lend it a timeless elegance.” Mr Winkelmann is also quick to acknowledge the accomplishments of the Molsheim workforce: “The quality and dedication of everyone involved in a Bugatti car is unique in the world and demonstrates the passion that we bring to our work.“

Indeed, the production of a Bugatti is nothing less than craftmanship par excellence. Each car takes ten months to build, while final assembly is carried out at the Alsace sites and takes eight weeks. In 2017, the first year the Chiron was manufactured, 70 cars were completed, but the output is steadily increasing. The following year saw the factory make 76 Chirons, and it expects to supply over 80 by the end of this year. Out of the marque’s official 500 figure for production of the Chiron, under 100 are still available to order.

“It’s a special event, the year is a significant one, and so is the car, which makes it doubly special,“ says Christophe Piochon, Bugatti Production Director. “It’s not every day that you can see in the Atelier, a model with very few differences, even with the various personalization, in different production phases at once. The anniversary Chiron Sport “110 ans Bugatti” makes it possible, with this week at least four of the 20 cars being built at the same time.“

The 200^th Chiron will thus be a “110 ans Bugatti“ and this model celebrates its heritage in impressive style. It not only bears numerous symbols of the French nation; it also boasts plenty of standard features that round off the unique look of this car. The French flags on the wing mirrors are a nod to the official vehicles of the French Government, while the “Sky View“ glass roof panels allow extra light into the cockpit. The contrast between the painted “Steel Blue“ of the engine block and the visible carbon of the monocoque body hark back to the traditional two-tone look of the luxury cars made by Bugatti in the 1920s. The Chiron Sport is already a unique model – and this anniversary edition takes it to an even higher level of exclusivity.

Back in 1909, Ettore Bugatti set up his factories in Molsheim. His aim: to create cars that had luxurious shapes and exceptional performance capability. Historic models such as the Type 35 or the Type 57 SC Atlantic represent the passion which Bugatti tirelessly poured into his efforts to create unique cars. Now, more than a century later, Bugatti’s core values remain unaltered, and the Chiron continues to honour them. This “110 ans Bugatti“ further reinforces the exclusive character of these cars and ensures that Bugatti stands out from other super sports car makers.

² Fuel consumption, l/100km: urban 35.2 / extra-urban 15.2 / combined 22.5; CO₂ emissions combined, g/km: 516;efficiency class: G

The Bugatti employees bring the brand to life day after day

Molsheim, 8 July 2019. The Bugatti brand is one of the oldest of the automotive world. Since its creation in 1909 by an Italian immigrant named Ettore Bugatti, all the way to its modern era with the hyper sports cars such as the Chiron¹ or the Divo², the constructor has known many events. Today is Bugatti’s 40,000^th day of existence and very few automotive brands can say they have lasted this long. How is it possible for La Marque to have survived for so many decades? Well, it is simply because, for each of these 40,000 days, Bugatti was brought to life by individuals, passionate with the precision of their work, the pursuit of perfection and the making of extraordinary cars. In Molsheim, the tradition lives on and the values of Ettore are preserved by the everyday work of each employee.

The first awakening on the area are without doubt the deer who inhabit the Bugatti property of Molsheim. But shortly after, at dawn, Patrick Burk, housekeeper and only official resident of the property, starts his morning round. He checks every aspect of the area, the state of the lawn, the trees, the walls or furthermore the animals. Each building is analyzed with precision, a broken light, a bit of dust, a squeaking door – nothing escapes Patrick. Any flaw will be attended to during the course of the day.

As the inspection finishes, still early in the morning, the first workers arrive and the Atelier wakes up. The latter is filled with Chiron¹ or Chiron Sport³ in production, but you can also sometimes see one of the first Divo² prototypes. Here, the most luxurious and high performing cars of the world are assembled – nothing is left to chance. Before beginning any assembly, every single screw is inspected with surgery-like precision and often sent back to the supplier because of flaws that even the most experienced worker would have difficulties to see, yet didn’t escape the eye of the Bugatti Atelier staff. The production of these cars takes some time, because for every element many hours of manual work are required. The cars are repeatedly tested and analyzed from all the possible angles. A finished car that comes out of the Atelier is close to perfection. The workers’ pace is high, but the atmosphere is positive. Everyone is motivated and passionate about their work.

The day continues, and the other departments of Molsheim start working. Mechanics, logisticians, engineers, designers, the sales team, communicators, accountants, IT specialists – the employees communicate with the whole world, continuously give the best of themselves and contribute to strengthening the exceptional worldwide image of Bugatti. The Molsheim factory is the center of the constructor’s activities, all the management and the directing board, led by the President of Bugatti, plan the company’s future. The breaks are short – the clients, suppliers, journalists need to be attended to. But thanks to the precision, quality and professionalism with which any task is done, the values and the aura of La Marque live on.

At the end of the day, the workers slowly stop their activity, just the same as for the other employees. The cars are stored away and the files closed. Gradually, the Molsheim factory is emptied until only the night guardians close it for the night. Tomorrow, everything starts over and the 40,001^st day can begin.