Bugatti Galibier leaks out after private unveiling in Molsheim
Bugatti Galibier concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
After months of speculation, Bugatti has finally pulled the wraps off its new four-door supercar concept just ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show at an event for past customers and Bugatti-intenders. Up to this point, we've been referring to the French uber-sedan as the Bordeaux, but it seems the actual car's moniker will be Galibier – the name of a difficult Alpine pass along the Tour de France.
One of the Galibier's most striking features is undoubtedly its two-tone outer shell, which is comprised of both polished aluminum for the doors and front fenders and a unique dark blue carbon fiber weave that shines through when illuminated. We also note a prominent center spine that recalls past Bugattis like the Type 35 and the classically beautiful Type 57.
Powering the Galibier concept will be a version of Bugatti's ridiculously powerful eight-liter W16 powerplant. Unlike the mill propelling the Veyron to ludicrous speed, this version is mounted up front and is capable of running on ethanol fuel, which may or may not allow the automaker to squeeze a few more ponies out of the engine... not that it needs it, of course.
Current reports peg the Galibier's top speed at 217 miles per hour (350 kilometers per hour), which, while slower than the Veyron's epic terminal velocity, is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Check out our gallery of high-res images below.
Gallery: Bugatti 16C Galibier concept
[Source: Net Car Show]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Ligor 10:06AM (9/14/2009)
and I though the Panamera looked bad!
yikes!
Reply
Russell 10:18AM (9/14/2009)
I actually like it a lot...
John 10:19AM (9/14/2009)
I have to say... I actually really like this concept, and it looks pretty close to a production model as well. Now I just wish I had uber amounts of money...
Other Man 10:27AM (9/14/2009)
I kept saying "SWEET" to myself until I saw the rear.
Panameraitis!!
Although the top speed would probably make it the fastest production sedan in the world, depending upon how you view Brabus' cars like the Black Baron, Bullit, and/or the Rocket.
kingtaz0 10:25AM (9/14/2009)
The cool thing about the Veyron and this car is that they go so much farther in the design, love it or hate it.. you cannot help but be in awe of the design and the passion int he design. You cannot say that the design has no soul. As extreme as the design seems at first glance their cars seem very classic at the same time, so they dont make you recoil they make you stare at the car.
Perfect example with the veyron is the top down view.. find a high res image of the veyron's top down profile and enjoy the 10 minutes you spend staring at it.
Almo 10:28AM (9/14/2009)
Welcome to the world of butt ugly cars!
Motor_Yakuza 10:30AM (9/14/2009)
I don't like it, kill it with fire, and how much it will cost? 2 million dollars? I'd rather a Bentley, a Ferrari, a GT-R, a Lexus LF-A, a Lexus GX, a Corvette, A Viper, a Mustang, a Camaro and a Challenger for that money.
Will Design for Food 11:02AM (9/14/2009)
In the profile shot...it looks eerily similar to a BMW 5 Series GT.
Jei 11:18AM (9/14/2009)
It looks...interesting....
I would not say that it reminds me of the Panamera in exterior design. But it has that, "not what I expected from (them)", styling going for it. To me, it looks more like a "Super Bentley", rather than a 4-door Bugatti that I would have imagined.
zamafir 11:23AM (9/14/2009)
@Will Design for Food - well, like the BMW it's a 5 door hatch and as long as a 7 series. I guess this'll make the 5 series GT seem like a bargain.
Franz 11:29AM (9/14/2009)
It's not bad looking, but I have to wonder when this whole four door fastback thing is gonna die. I'm kinda sick of it now.
leunamme 11:47AM (9/14/2009)
I see a lot of VW Passat in the greenhouse shape of this car (minus the rump which is pretty Panameraish)
Ligor 12:01PM (9/14/2009)
i don't know
i can't really find much to like
all the lines just don't spell Bugatti to me
zamafir 1:12PM (9/14/2009)
"it looks like a dog taking a poo"
my coworker's first response, i think the best i've heard.
Temple 1:23PM (9/14/2009)
Let's be honest, if this thing didn't say "Bugatti" most of us would hate this gaudy atrocity. Its looks like something from a rejected design student's portfolio. Money can't buy taste it seems.
auto.design 1:51PM (9/14/2009)
Totally gaudy and totally gorgeous. Not a fan of the Veryon but this has some amazing design features (except for the 8 tailpipes) The profile is gorgeous.
Rob 2:46PM (9/14/2009)
It's not terrible, but it's overly opulent. I mean, I'm clearly not the target audience, but the Veyron's smugness is somewhat justified by it's insane performance while this seems simply flamboyant for flamboyant's sake.
Jei 2:39PM (9/14/2009)
>>Temple 1:23PM (9/14/2009)
>>Let's be honest, if this thing didn't say "Bugatti" most of us would hate this gaudy atrocity. Its looks like >>something from a rejected design student's portfolio. Money can't buy taste it seems.
If it didn't say "Bugatti" and have the chrome finish, I would have assumed it was the next Chrysler 300C.
Quantumphysics 4:33PM (9/14/2009)
The Veyron is probably the most desireable, most impractical supercars that exists. Even if I had 1 Billion right now, I couldn't fit in one since I'm a huge Nose Guard sized man. I have to drive cars with huge knee/leg space like the 300 and the S550.
This car offers people like me a chance to own a Bugatti.
Afterall, I'd never see 250mph in one of these anyway. I'd settle for the car making 0 - 100 in 9 seconds to satisfy myself.
the4thheat 8:17PM (9/14/2009)
Ugh why has Porsche decided to ruin the world by unleashing this wave of horrible hunch-back designs.
Please Bugatti...please make this a proper sedan before release.