Centodieci

Make
Bugatti
Segment
Coupe

With an unwavering desire for perfection, Bugatti has earned itself a reputation as a purveyor of the finest hypercars in the world, but it needs to employ specialists like a metrologist to maintain that level of quality. While this enviable prestige has a lot to do with performance and price, it's the sheer attention to detail seen on vehicles like the Centodieci that will bowl you over.

This obsession with crafting the best possible motorcar can be traced back to metrology which, if you don't know, is the science of measurements. Bugatti's very own metrologist, Gregoire Haller-Meyer, has to ensure that every component fits perfectly on a vehicle by analyzing and measuring everything beforehand.

"All components must be technically and optically perfect in every respect," he explains. "But, above all, the overall appearance of a Bugatti must be one of perfect harmony. The exterior and interior of each creation must possess a perfect balance between aesthetics, comfort, and quality."

Should a minor imperfection slip through, Haller-Meyer is tasked with finding out why certain components do not fulfill what's required of them. He says a deviation of just one millimeter (0.039 inches) could lead to undesirable noises at high speeds.

Using a blend of state-of-the-art 3D scanners and manual tools, Haller-Meyer is able to expose even the smallest defect. Whether big or small, finding the fault starts with analyzing the entire car. "As I'm in constant dialogue with the team in the Atelier, I can react immediately to even the tiniest deviations from the Bugatti norm," remarks the eagle-eyed expert.

The metrologist works closely with engineers and craftsmen who are moved to action based on his findings. From here, they will work to find a solution to repair the component or, if necessary, replace it entirely. Once solved, Haller-Meyer also ensures the fault won't pop up again.

"The measurement of the various components and tolerances is, however, only a part of my job," he adds. "Another part of my work concerns the analysis of data to guarantee and continuously improve our quality standards and to assure the absolute high-end finish of the hyper sports cars we create."

You likely won't see this level of meticulous craftsmanship in any other automotive factory, and that's exactly the point. No two Bugatti vehicles are alike, and every example that leaves the Molsheim facility is a paragon of perfection. Company founder Ettore Bugatti was infatuated with excellence, and that ethos can still be seen in new vehicles like the W16 Mistral, the last vehicle ever to use the legendary W16 powerplant.

If you've ever wondered by it takes so long for Bugatti to deliver a car, this goes some way to explaining the arduous process of creating one of the finest hypercars on the planet.