► Bugatti Solitaire launches new one-off service
► Its first car, the Brouillard, has been shown
► For when a Bugatti isn’t exclusive enough
You’d think with production numbers only ever in the few-hundreds, and every car produced being different to the next, a Bugatti already brings with it enough exclusivity. But evidently not, as the hypercar firm has now launched a new programme dedicated to one-offs, called Solitaire.
This its first car, the Bugatti Brouillard, which is based on the one-of-99 Mistral and named after the founder Ettore Bugatti’s favourite horse. It will come as no surprise that this theme runs throughout.
Bugatti says its Solitaire programme builds on its existing ‘Sur Mesure’ bespoke arm, and is inspired by the firm’s coachbuilding roots in the 1920s, aiming to unlock demand for greater bespoke products. This is a trend reflected across the luxury car world.
The Brouillard, translating from French to English as ‘fog’, uses the firm’s legendary quad-turbo, 1578bhp W16 engine, rather than the new V16 found in the new Bugatti Tourbillon. It’s thought to be be the last standalone model to use the W16, following production of the Chiron ending in 2024.
Painted in a vibrant green shade, which is repeated on the Brouillard’s interior, which takes bespoke to a new level for Bugatti. There’s green-tinted carbon fibre, tartan patterns and impressive craftsmanship from its aluminium details.
Unlike the Mistral speedster, the Brouillard has a fixed roof, though made from glass and creates a ‘cathedral-like experience’, according to Bugatti. A fixed ducktail wing also features in place of the Mistral’s active twing, along with stacked twin tailipes.
Horse motifs run in the seat backs and door panels, while the seats have also been shaped specifically for the unnamed owner of the Brouillard. There’s even a horse’s head etched into the gearshifter.
The firm says the commissioniung owner of the Brouillard is an ‘enormously passionate Bugatti owner ‘ who doesn’t just appreciate its old and new cars but also of the wider Bugatti family – Ettore’s younger brother, Rembrandt, was a renowned animal sculptor, while their father Carlo was known for his interior furniture.
Hendrik Malinowski, managing director of Bugatti, said: ‘The Programme Solitaire allows us to authentically explore the unique visions of our clients, giving us more flexibility to explore different interpretations of long-established Bugatti design elements.
‘On a one-of-one, we have much more freedom in the reinterpretation of what a Bugatti is, while maintaining the same absolute dedication to perfection in every detail; there will be no compromise to performance, quality or design.
‘Each precious Solitaire will be unique and peerless, offering a level of attention to detail not found in even the most exclusive automotive creations.’
The Bugatti Brouillard has been revealed ahead of it being shown during Monterey Car Week. The firm says its Solitaire programme will make a ‘maximum of two masterpieces’ per year and use existing powertrains and chassis.
Senior staff writer, car reviewer, news hound, avid car detailer.
By Ted Welford
Senior staff writer at CAR and our sister website Parkers. Loves a car auction. Enjoys making things shiny
