All we’ve heard about the Bugatti Galibier so far has been concept details and speculation, but things are about to turn around for all the fans wishing the company would take the next big step. Volkswagen has offered Bugatti the backing they need for a 16C Galibier sedan.
Apparently, Wolfgang Duerheimer, the man who recently took over as head of Bugatti and Bentley, was the main proponent behind pushing Volkswagen to give them a break. The Galibier, a 1000 HP sedan, was first shown as a concept in 2010 and when put into production, will cost about $1.4 million. It will use a 16-cylinder engine that can run on both biofuel and gasoline, and will bring back the dual-clutch gearbox. Production will require facilities in Molsheim, France, to be refitted, which may push back deliveries until 2013 or 2014.
The official name for the production model hasn’t been provided yet, but Bugatti’s decision to offer a production version sedan should come as no surprise considering Lamborghini has already confirmed the production version of the Estoque and Ferrari has brought out the FF. These competitors by no means come close to the power behind the Bugatti, but they do illustrate the luxury automakers that are taking advantage of the upswing the economy is making by expanding their lineups.
In an interview with Car Magazine, Bugatti has revealed that the interior of the Galibier will feature porcelain trimmings which will be available for the interior of the Galibier. Ooh, fancy.
In an interview with Car Magazine, Bugatti has revealed that the luscious limousine will get a hybrid option. Yeah, we never thought the words ’hybrid’ and ’Bugatti’ would ever be uttered together, but Bugatti says this option is a must if the company plans to move along with the times and be successful.
The Bugatti Galibier, with a previously confirmed sales date of Fall 2012, may be seeing another setback. Apparently, the brand’s head honchos are experiencing some trepidation over the vehicle not being powerful enough. In the words of company CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer, the Galibier is just "not outrageous enough."
The word comes from a source who talked to Inside Line, claiming that despite being the "most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four door automobile in the world," the Galibier is still falling short of the lofty expectations Bugatti has set for itself. The fear, at least according to the source, appears to be that the Galibier is still not the "conversation stopper" the Veyron was when it first came out.
This source’s leaks were confirmed by Bugatti CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer, when he stated that the production Galibier was "in its second half of the design phase," but will be significantly altered from the concept car originally displayed.
"I will suggest we continue development, but there will be some remarkable changes from the original concept," said Durheimer. "The design will be different, especially from the B-pillar back, the ingress and regress to the rear seats will be improved, as will the legroom and ergonomics, the car will be a little longer, and the power of the engine will be at least four figures."
So what’s the latest surrounding the Galibier? Well, according to Auto Motor und Sport, production of the car has been delayed until 2015 at the earliest. According to Bugatti’s Chief Executive, Wolfgang Durheimer, the vehicle is still missing the release of the Group Board. The three-year delay behind the Galibier’s production is mighty significant, especially since the Veyron is on its last legs. Let’s just hope that Bugatti has something up their sleeves to expedite the car’s release.
