As Bugatti’s W16-era draws to a close after 20 years, the exclusive car maker releases one more model for a special customer. Called the Bugatti Brouillard, this is a one-off creation from the brand’s new Solitare programme, based in Berlin. This offers single commissions to its most fervent collectors. And this will be the most expensive Bugatti yet.

The Brouillard is based on the Mistral, itself a one-of-99 special edition celebrating the end of the W16 era. This means the Brouillard shares all of its fundamental underpinnings. But in place of the Mistral’s open cockpit is a closed cabin with a unique part-clear roof and central spine.

All of its external panels are unique to the Brouillard, and give it a more menacing look. Muscular rear haunches and pronounced wheelarches add power and speed at a standstill.
At the rear is a fixed ‘ducktail’ spoiler in place of the Mistral’s active wing. Evidently this doesn’t change aerodynamics. The typical Bugatti horseshoe-shaped grille remains, with a milled-aluminium surround. Also typical Bugatti cues are huge engine air intakes and X-shaped rear lights.

The cabin features green tartan sourced from a Parisian fine-fabric supplier, and matching green-tinted carbon fibre. Chiron’s C-shaped lighting rounds out the interior.
The car is full of equine references, including a hollow gear selector with a tiny silver horse’s head mounted inside. Brouillard was evidently the name of the founding Bugatti member’s pet horse. The name translates to fog or mist in French.

Powering the thoroughbred is an 1183kW quad-turbocharged W16 engine that powers all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Evidently the new owner already has a number of different Bugattis to their name. This one of one supposedly took 18 months to complete and will have set them back roughly $NZ25m. Prior to this commission, the La Voiture Noire was the most expensive Bugatti.

The Brouillard will feature at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance next week to showcase the Solitaire offering.

All future Bugattis will be based on the Tourbillon, which uses a 1324kW plug-in hybrid powertrain centred around a Cosworth-designed V16.
