New Bugatti EB 118

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Bugatti EB 118

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Updated June 15th 99
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Translation of excerpts from an article from German car mag "Auto Motor und Sport"
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Sensation at the Paris Motor Show
The Bugatti from VW
EB 118 with 18-cylinder engine and 555hp

Bugatti EB 118
With a feudal Gran Turismo of the special class VW revives the Bugatti marque. Despite its huge dimensions it shall be able to be driven easily and agile.

Beau Là Là
In a city which is bound to beauty Motor Shows aren't a duty only. When the Paris Salon opens its gates on the first of October not the brave everyday cars are in the spotlight but spectacular studies like the Bugatti EB 118 from VW.
Presumed deads do live longer and when fortune has favoured them they sometimes rise like a phoenix from the ashes. It seems that the long-gone marque Bugatti belongs to the immortal of automobile history, whose racing- and sports-cars enjoyed a reverential admiration which lasts until today.

W-18 engine
With extravagant technique, superb performance figures and carefully styled aesthetics the 18-cylinder in W-shape justifies the famous signature.

Not even the unsuccessful reanimation with the impressive but not much charismatic bolide EB 110 in the beginning of the 1990's could change anything on that which is why the VW-head Ferdinand Piech - who is keen on prestigious names - nearly inevitably came to Bugatti. Some months ago he bought the rights on the name and already in one week the Paris Salon will show that he absolutely intends to use it.
There a monumental coupe painted in French Blue will prove reference to the glorious past and the former headquarter. With a length of 5,05m, 1,99m width and 1,42m height in fact is taller than most of its predecessors but despite that tries hard to continue the classic Bugatti-line. At least one has to attest the Ital-Design designers around Giorgio Giugiaro that they caught the spirit of the marque better than the mid-engine flounder EB 110.

Photo copyright: Auto Motor und Sport

Especially with the flowing shape of the roof they let themselves be inspired by the legendary Type 57 Atlantic - which many enthusiasts regard as a milestone of automotive design - as they did with the 1993 four-door study EB 112 ((left)) which also was designed by Giugiaro. More styling-cites are found in the huge light alloy rims, the horseshoe-shaped front grille and the prominent rear fenders. The interior which is fitted with wood, aluminium and leather fits in well into the total art work.

Bugatti EB 118
Above all the curving roof which transforms into a hatchback awakens reminiscences onto the shapes of classic Bugatti-touring-sportscars

For the realization of the idea cultivated by the company's founder Ettore Bugatti to produce all parts themselves at the time a plant as well as a belonging research and development department. But that there is no lack of superlatives is thanks to the group's mother VW. It helped to get the four-seater an engine which the world hasn't seen before.
Under the front hood sits the first 18-cylinder engine of car history which is said to reach an unequalled development of power. For this three six-cylinder row-benches are coupled to a compact W-shape whereas every three of the 18 wrought-iron connecting rods have a common crank pin. The power take-off on the crankshaft is done in the middle of the engine as is the camshaft drive.

From a displacement of 6.3-litres the engine with gasoline-direct ignition develops 555hp at 4800rpm and delivers a torque of 650Nm which is brought onto the road via a permanent all-wheel drive. With that the crown amongst the street sports-cars would belong to the Bugatti - if it would go into serial production. Chances for that seem not to be bad if one believes the pundits: It is said that Piech plans to build an own plant near the former place of production in the Alsace.
End of excerpt from the article from "Auto Motor und Sport" - translation by MBEP webmaster

Four-Door to Follow

Photo copyright: Auto Motor und Sport

At the Paris Motor Show the Bugatti EB118 revealed more of its interior. So the study built by Italdesign for VW is constructed in Space-Frame-Technique like the Audi A8. At 120km/h below the rear window a spoiler comes out which enhances the driving stability. The sequential gearbox is operated by buttons on the steering wheel. Ivory-coloured dials, aluminium trim and blue-tinted walnut wood show reminiscenes of the classic Bugatti- and Art deco-style. In the wide dashboard without center console only the most important functions do lie open, navigation system, radio and ice box remain hidden. At the Geneva Auto Show in March 1999 a four-door Bugatti-limousine shall explore the potential of the brand. On that it will depend if a production from the year 2003 in the Alsace, which already offered ((production)) ground to VW, can start.
End of article from "Auto Motor und Sport" Translation by MBEP webmaster as well as remarks in ((blabla)).

Article from British car magazine "Auto Express"

Bugatti Given The Green Light
554 - AutoExpress -- VOLKSWAGEN has given the go-ahead for its new Bugatti saloon to be built at a French car plant. The German giant's boss Ferdinand Piech confirmed that the first Bugatti based on this E218 concept will roll off the production line at the end of 2002.

VW lost out in its bid for Rolls-Royce last summer, and Piech has since made it clear that his new Bugatti would 'attack Rolls', as well as go head-to-head with the Mercedes Maybach luxury limo. The manufacturer bought the legendary Bugatti marque last year.

Featuring a 6.3-litre, 18-cylinder engine, the car will be built at a new £35million plant in Molsheim.
Many thanks to Michael M. for sending the article!

Last revised technically: Oct. 31st 2000 Visits since Sept. 24th '98..

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