The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2019 - Issue 26

bite cars delivers 1,103 kW/1,500 PS and 1,600 Nm of torque. “This is not only an engine but the heart of the vehicle and a technical mas- terpiece,” said Stephan Winkelmann. “There is no other car in the world with such an engine. It is not only extremely powerful but also beautiful to look at.” To accommodate its amazing powertrain and features, the La Voiture Noire has an impressive six exhaust pipes at the rear as well as a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and an all-wheel-drive sys- tem to provide a more relaxed driving experience. Around the engine bay, the design expertly covers this while allowing hot air to escape efficiently. This is thanks to the micro-perforated car- bon on the engine cover that allows it to remain fully functional and distinguishes it from the Chiron in several ways. Inside The Cabin Nothing has yet been said about the interior of this super sports model but as many of its features are based on the Chiron, as well as some from the new Divo, the cabin will likely have these same qualities. Whatever is the case, the Chiron interior would look something like this: a series of round controllers protrud- ing from the centre of the dashboard and the gear selector lever sprouting from a small chrome circle on the centre console. The seating, dashboard and door panels are made up of 16 dif- ferent cows’ leather lining the inside while the accents and dia- mond-supported speakers are designed in real metal. The exte- rior’s swooping C-shaped is repeated inside the cabin and traces from the centre console, up to the rear firewall, and onto the ceiling. The large analog speedometer is flanked by two smaller digital displays for navigation and a trip computer. Unfortunate- ly, it has no centre infotainment display, no driver-assistance op- tions, and limited storage space. With the Divo influence, you’ll find the implied horseshoe in the centre of the steering wheel and the C-line in several positions. This striking design feature integrates clearly structured and neatly arranged central functions via four instruments, the se- lector lever, and the armrest. These instruments are a reflection of the four headlight elements on each side. The Divo also has an unusually highly placed gear selector that is unique and gives the interior a sense of power. As Etienne Salomé said about the gear selector, “…it suggests to the driver: You have the power, but are also always in con- trol.” The colour described as ‘la vie en bleu’ meaning ‘the life in blue’ is a kind of a two-tone light blue and turquoise that appears discreetly in parts such as the engine start button or the launch control button. The origins of this French racing colour dates back to the beginning of the 20th century and has accompanied the brand almost since its foundation in 1909. On the Outside The exterior of the anniversary supercar is very much modelled on the Chiron as well as some elements of Divo. Whilst it looks very much like both, it has more enhanced sculptured features, along with a carbon fibre body that has a deep black gloss. “This is the material that has been handled perfectly,” said Etienne Sa- lomé, Bugatti Designer. “We worked long and hard on this de- sign until [there] was nothing [more] we could improve. For us, the coupé represents the perfect form with a perfect finish." Although it is much bigger and more modern than the Atlantic, La Voiture Noire has successfully inherited the strikingly beau- tiful and exotic shadow of its ghost. The wheels on the Atlantic stood out from the body and the bonnet was extremely long for a car with an overall length of only 3.70 metres, while the rear end flowed down into an oval shape extending almost to the ground. The exhaust pipes were much thinner on the Atlantic. On La Vo- iture Noire, they are thicker to enhance its extraordinary power. Providing an outstanding design, the Atlantic named after Jean Mermoz, a pioneering aviator who was the first to cross the South Atlantic by air, had a raised seam running vertically from the hinge in the split bonnet to the tail. Developed from the unique Aerolithe prototype known as Coupé Special or Coupé Aero, Jean Bugatti used Elektron sheet, an alloy of 90 percent magnesium and 10 percent aluminium, from aviation, for the body on the 57-104. A lightweight material, it is difficult to work with and cannot be welded, so Bugatti had to rivet the body to- gether, creating the famous dorsal seam. Interestedly, the doors continue into the roof to make it easi- er for passengers to enter and leave the low-slung coupé. The headlamps of the first two cars were integrated into the wings while the other two cars featured separate headlight housings. “The Type 57 SC Atlantic is a design manifesto of Jean Bugatti. The breathtaking proportions of this masterpiece were simply unparalleled at the time and are still thrilling to the present day with their fascinating elegance,” said Achim Anscheidt, Director of Design at Bugatti.