Tag Archives: Bugatti

Is Bugatti About To Reveal An Electric, Track-Only Hypercar?

Shortly after a sensational report that the VW Group could sell Bugatti to Croatian EV maker Rimac, it is claimed an all-electric hypercar could soon be unveiled by French manufacturer.

In the original Bugatti-Rimac report from Car Magazine, it was suggested a production-ready version of the Vision Le Mans concept with an all-electric powertrain will be launched in October.

Fast forward a few days and The Supercar Blog claims to have received confirmation that such a vehicle is indeed being prepared for a launch.

For now, few details about known about this potential track-only hypercar, but if it is indeed all-electric and if the potential deal between the VW Group, Bugatti, and Rimac goes through, it would be reasonable to assume the latest limited-run Bugatti would use an electric powertrain from Rimac.

Read Also: Bugatti Designer’s Vision Le Mans Would Make An Astonishing Endurance Racer

The utilization of an electric powertrain could make the extreme design of the Vision Le Mans viable, as there would be no need to sandwich a traditional engine and transmission into the aerodynamic bodywork.

According to The Supercar Blog, the all-electric Vision Le Mans “will serve as a technology showcase for the future.”

For what it’s worth, the potential tie-up between the VW Group and Rimac has not been confirmed, but it has not been explicitly denied either. It is thought that the deal could see VW Group offload Bugatti to Rimac without any exchange of money. Instead, Porsche would increase its current 15.5 per cent stake in Rimac to 49 per cent.

Note: Bugatti Vision Le Mans from Max Lask pictured.

Legendary 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Could Sell For Over $13 Million

This 1934 Bugatti Type 59 may be covered with scratches and scars from its racing days, but it is a piece of Bugatti history and is expected to sell for over £10,000,000 ($13,194,750).

What makes the car so special? Well, this Type 59, fitted with engine no. 5, was initially part of the Bugatti works Grand Prix team during the 1934-1935 seasons. It was raced primarily by René Dreyfus and secured a 3rd place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix as well as a race win at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

Read Also: Bugatti EB110 SS Is An Unjustly Overlooked, Yet Very Exciting, Old-School Supercar

When the French car manufacturer withdrew from Grand Prix racing, it transformed this Type 59 for sports car events and opted to remove the supercharger while also fitting a new dry-sump gearbox, revising the chassis and bodywork, and giving it a new identity as chassis 57248. Driven by Jean-Pierre Wimille, the Type 59 Sports dominated its rivals during the 1937 season, according to the Gooding & Company listing.

The following year, the car was retired from competitive racing and purchased by King Leopold III of Belgium. It has since been under the possession of four other owners and is being sold in its original condition that provides a hint of the vehicle’s hard racing life and, inevitably, adds to its value and desirability.

Slotted beneath the minimal bodywork is a 3.25-liter inline eight-cylinder with twin Zenith carburetors. Back in the days where it had a supercharger, the racer was good for 250 hp at 5,000 rpm, which was pretty impressive for its era. The classic Bugatti also has a 4-speed manual transmission, mechanical drum brakes at all four corners, a solid front axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs and De Ram shock absorbers, and a live rear axle.

PHOTO GALLERY

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