The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

bitecars It took the team over a year and a half to find and imple- ment the technical and graphic solutions. Whilst painting the diamonds onto the car body was a complex task, it had to be done with precision and exact definition. “This was due to the fact that the digital patterns in the CAD program bear little resemblance to reality: owing to the three-dimensional, sculptural form of the Divo with its con- tours, curves and ribs, the 2D-printed diamonds became distorted on the surface of the exclusive hyper sports car.” Instead, the diamond pattern had to be digitally modified. All it took was a one-millimetre difference to ruin the full visual effect, so the team had to position the print on the roofline, doors and rear fender edge perfectly to achieve a clean visual finish. The CAD modellers worked with the customer to develop and simulate the diamond pattern design with the numerous diamonds which was a highly complex and time-consuming task. Bugatti experienced an unprecedented challenge and un- forgettable experience with the commission of the Lady Bug. It would have been unrealistic to think applying the 2D graphic to a 3D sculpture was an easy task. Even the most prominent experts have their limitations. After nu- merous failed ideas and attempts, the team was close to giving up and saying: “We cannot meet the customer’s request,” Jörg Grumer, Head of Colour & Trim at Bugatti Design, admitted. But perseverance and determination pushed the team to complete this seemingly ‘mission impossible’. “It is our profound conviction that we should never give up, and our foremost motivation should always be to make the impos- sible possible for the customer,” Jörg continued. “We are proud of the expertise we applied in creating this Divo: a high quality and complex product based on pure crafts- manship and outstanding teamwork between design and development.” When Bugatti informed the customer his vision would be- come a reality, he was impressed by the effort and process involved in creating it. “The thought of this project becom- ing a reality was not only exciting but a dream of mine. I was absolutely floored upon delivery. Working with the Bugatti design team on the Lady Bug’s production was an exceptional experience, not only in the true dedication to the flawless execution of the one-of-a-kind design but also in the dedication at all levels involved in the final presenta- tion of the vehicle.” The delighted customer added that his unique Lady Bug is not only a remarkable masterpiece and work of art, but it is the true height of his collection to date and the most intricate and well-developed vehicle he has owned. “This is true because the team at Bugatti is truly masters of their craft and only work at the highest level of detail in each masterpiece they produce.” This was achievable with the diamonds separated and transported onto a transfer film, and then stuck onto the Divo's body. In early 2020, Bugatti spent countless hours on a test vehi- cle until the developers and designers were satisfied with the procedure. Shortly before the car was delivered to the customer, Bugatti performed a final rehearsal on another test vehicle. “Every manoeuvre had to be exactly right in this painstaking task; therefore, we decided to do another rehearsal before the final stage of work. Because there could only be one attempt on the customer’s car, and that had to be perfect,” said Dirk Hinze, an expert in customi- sation and surfaces at Bugatti.