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The Perfect Bugatti That Will Never Be Made

Bugatti is exceptionally well known for their innovative, bar-raising business model. The Chiron is a perfect example of that with a limited top speed of 260mph and an estimated top speed 28mph above that. The french automaker has proven to the world that it is possible to have a large, heavy luxury vehicle that at the same time can be impressively talented.

This is why it’s so surprising that they’ve missed a rare opportunity with the Bugatti Gangloff.

This is only a digital representation of a design that has never been physically realised. Unfortunate isn’t it, as it is so bloody beautiful. It was designed to reflect the 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, most noticeably with its sloping rear and muscular rear hips. But I can also see aspects of the Veyron and Chiron, as well as the AMG GT, Dodge Viper, and even Alfa 8c. Weirdly, it all fits, forming an aggressive presence with the stance of a big cat arming its many muscles before pouncing towards its prey.

Sadly there’s no technical specification to drool over, so from the photos let’s fabricate its mechanical genome ourselves.

Looking beyond its aggressive nostrils to the fin running down the length of the bonnet, it looks like it may be front-engined. But then you look down the side and spy the air-intakes. Could this be a mid-engined design like its brothers and sisters? Or are these for cooling the brakes or internal aerodynamics like the Aston DB11? The type 57 had an inline 8 under the bonnet, so maybe the Gangloff could have half the W16 from the Chiron?

Looking closely at the interior shots you can see Bugatti’s classic DSG gearbox surrounded by flowing waves of leather and satin aluminium. With just shy of 750-800 horsepower sent to the rear wheels, Bugatti could bring the competition straight to Ferrari’s 812 Superfast and win.

What an absolute shame that Bugatti isn’t building this alluring piece of art. It’s elicited a fever in me that no other car has managed, and I’m sure this could start a dynasty of sought after front-engined Bugattis. But right now, this digitised idea of the Gangloff represents the dream Leonardo da Vinci had before painting the Mona Lisa.

It’s just down to Bugatti to pick up the paintbrush.

What would be your perfect Bugatti? Let us know in the comments below!

Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: [email protected]

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