Secret Bugatti Prototype Had Bug Eyes And 18 Cylinders

The production Veyron looks very different from this concept, but it still features some obvious Bugatti cues

                                        https://www.carscoops.com/author/bradcarscoops-com/                                    

The Bugatti Veyron marked a watershed moment for the car industry. After the VW Group acquired the rights to the Bugatti brand, it set out to build what would become one of the most remarkable supercars ever built and the fastest production car ever. But along the way, Bugatti explored several other possibilities for what that car might look like.

See: The Secret Bugatti Concepts That Could Have Been The Chiron

In the years leading up to the release of the Veyron, Bugatti unveiled several intriguing concept cars, including the 18/3 Chiron and the 18/4 Veyron. While some of these were shown to the public, one lesser-known precursor to the Veyron was kept hidden away for years. Designed by Walter de Silva, this incredible concept has recently been put on display at Germany’s Autostadt museum, sitting right next to the VW factory.

A Hidden Chapter in Bugatti’s History

Although it was conceived in 1999, this early Veyron concept remained under wraps for nearly a decade. It wasn’t until 2009 that Italian magazine Quattroruote revealed its existence with a series of photographs. Unlike the other concepts that previewed the Veyron, this one never made it to the auto show circuit and remained largely unknown outside the company.

Photos Bugatti, Walter De Silva via Brightworkmedia

Although Bugatti decided against using this concept as the basis for the Veyron, there’s still plenty of Bugatti DNA in de Silva’s design. It includes an oval-shaped take on the company’s customary horseshoe grille and includes the same basic signature C-line used by the Veyron, Chiron, and Tourbillon. Painted in a resplendent shade of blue, it really emphasizes the ‘Bug’ in Bugatti.

Bugatti Styling With a Quirky Twist

Whether or not it’s a good thing that the concept looks like a strange bug is up for debate. Compared to the eventual production Veyron, the round headlights and taillights of this concept look a little too simple. Elements of the concept’s rear end did influence the Veyron, including the engine cover and the large central tailpipe.

Like the 18/3 Chiron concept also shown in 1999, this car was built around a 6.3-liter W18 engine made up of three banks of six cylinders. It was an ambitious powertrain, even if it didn’t carry over to the production car, which eventually used a quad-turbocharged W16 that delivered between 1,001 PS and 1,200 PS (987 to 1,183 horsepower), depending on the version.

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There’s no word on how long this special Bugatti concept will be on display in Germany, but if you live nearby or are planning a trip to the region, it’s definitely worth checking out.