Bugatti has unwrapped the Destrier as its tribute to "the most beautiful car ever built", using the underpinnings of the Bolide to create the ultimate luxury hypercar.
The Destrier is the latest in the brand's run of multi-million-pound Solitaire one-offs, following the FKP Hommage (a reimagining of the legendary Veyron) and the Brouillard.
It's inspired by the Type 57SC Atlantic, which also utilised the same underpinnings as a track car – the Type 57G 'Tank' – but wore stunning coachwork that landed it a place in motoring history.
The Destrier is based on the carbonfibre monocoque of the Bolide and reprises its sibling’s 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine, which puts out 1578bhp.
But despite the mammoth power output, performance wasn't Bugatti’s main ambition for the new hypercar. It instead sought to recapture the sheer desirability of the Type 57SC Atlantic, and the low-set chassis of the Bolide was instrumental in this ambition.
Design chief Frank Heyl explained: “The Bolide gave us the most extreme proportions we have ever created, and by freeing them from the Bolide’s relentless pursuit of downforce, we let them speak as pure sculpture.”
To that end, the Destrier is the shortest Bugatti yet, measuring just a metre tall. Its stance, with staggered wheels – 20in up front and 21in at the rear – is meant to resemble that of a pedigree horse.
Inside, it's a more overtly luxurious proposition than the Bolide, trading emergency stop and fire extinguisher buttons along its central control panel for ignition switches and being upholstered in tan leather, suede and copper thread.
Exact performance figures have yet to be confirmed, but the Destrier is likely to be a close match for the Bolide, which can dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in 2.2sec.
Its price has yet to be disclosed but is likely to run well into eight figures.
Like the Bolide, the Destrier will be allowed to drive only on race tracks or, more likely, concours lawns.
However, British specialist Lanzante recently converted a Bolide for road use, suggesting the same could be done for the Destrier if its owner so desires.
It will make its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – and Heyl said he “believes Destrier will be gracing concours lawns 50 years from now”.
