Bugatti Galibier concept to enter production

Bugatti is set to greenlight production plans for a luxury sedan based on its Galibier concept, which was first shown at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. The luxurious new four-seat sedan is one of four model proposals being looked at by Bugatti boss Wolfgang Dürheimer. It is intended to rival the upcoming replacement for the Rolls-Royce Phantom. However, unlike the mid-engined Chiron, the production version of the Galibier is set to hold true to the original concept by using a front-engined layout.

Although it is early days for the new Bugatti model, sources close to VW Group’s engineering circles suggest that the production car could be based on a modified version of the Porsche-developed MSB platform – a structure that is set to play a prominent role in the future of its British sister company, Bentley.

Bugatti boss Wolfgang Dürheimer disclosed the brand’s plans for a second model along the lines of the Galibier to sister publication Autocar UK. He stated, “At present, I am following up four strategic ideas. The Galibier is one. I can’t talk about the others.”

VW Group officials have said that the alternatives to the Galibier as a second Bugatti model include a Rolls-Royce Cullinan-rivalling luxury SUV, a highly formal, six-metre-long spiritual successor to the Bugatti Royale with an electric powertrain, and a less expensive supercar model to sit beneath the Chiron.

However, Dürheimer leaves little doubt about his favourite among the four proposals. Commenting on the Galibier, he said, “My heart continues to beat for this car, because we had some revolutionary approaches that no one to date has yet dared to place into production.”
An original go-ahead for the Galibier was given in 2011. However, despite firm plans for a production run of up to 3,000 cars over eight years, development of the luxurious four-seater was abandoned in 2013 when Dürheimer moved to Audi. Under his replacement, Wolfgang Schreiber, Bugatti decided to continue down the hypercar route with the Chiron. On his return to Bugatti in 2015, Dürheimer wasted little time in resurrecting the Galibier.

Although all the signs point to the Galibier being the next Bugatti model, there are strong indications that it may not be launched until after the Chiron finishes production.

Dürheimer continued, “There is an idea to keep on going with model expansion, but we don’t need a line-up with multiple model lines. As an engineer, when you execute an idea, you then ask what is the next one.”

Despite the financial drain placed on the VW Group by the on-going diesel emissions scandal, Autocar UK has been told product strategists at Europe’s largest carmaker have demanded that Bugatti establish a self-sustaining long-term business plan beyond the Chiron.