Bugatti has lifted the covers off an exclusive one-of-one model called the Bugatti Chiron Profilee, to be auctioned through RM Sotheby's on 1 February 2023. This bespoke model is an entirely unique creation from the French hypercar manufacturer, taking the hardcore nature of the Chiron Pur Sport and blending it with a far subtler, more beautiful aesthetic crowned by a prominent ducktail rear spoiler in place of the Pur Sport's six-foot-wide fixed rear wing.
A perfect blend of the performance expected of a Bugatti and the extra style customers wanted, only one will ever be built, and it can only be purchased through the aforementioned auction.
Power, as ever, comes from Bugatti's 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine, in this case developing the same 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque as the Pur Sport. But with 15% shorter gear ratios than a Chiron Sport, 0-62 mph comes up in 2.3 seconds, 0-124 mph takes 5.5, 186 mph arrives in 12.4 seconds, and it'll top out at 236 mph. The Pur Sport, for reference, tops out at 217.
After the Chiron Pur Sport was revealed in 2020, it quickly sold out of its limited allocation of 60 units (out of a total of 500 Chiron derivatives). But Bugatti claims a number of clients asked if the Pur Sport's character could be blended with the timeless elegance of less-hardcore derivatives like the standard Chiron and Chiron Sport.
"Taking customer wishes to explore a less radical version of the Pur Sport seriously into consideration, we started with the design and development of the Chiron Profilee in Autumn 2020," says Bugatti president Christophe Piochon. "By the time we saw the pre-series vehicle coming out of production, all Chiron slots limited to just 500 were assigned for. But we knew that what we had created was too beautiful to be hidden away. It is - in every sense - a unique piece in Bugatti's history and a true collector's item."
That means that while Chiron production was limited to 500 units, the Chiron Profilee is actually #501.
The fact that a full production run was already spoken for didn't stop Bugatti from completing development of this model, and the branch claims it has been built to the same exacting standards as all other Chirons.
The big difference compared to the Chiron Pur Sport is, of course, the fixed rear duckbill. This element performs two duties, first, maintaining stability at the Profilee's increased top speed compared to the car on which it's based, and second, creating a negative pressure zone that extricates heat from the engine bay through vents within the wing itself.
According to Frank Heyl, deputy design director at Bugatti, the fixed tail is "both aerodynamically and thermodynamically optimized for the incomparable performance available to the Chiron Profilee's owner, while keeping the graceful and timeless shape of the original Chiron."
As for the derivative's name, Bugatti says it's derived from the Type 46, which was one of Jean Bugatti's earliest creations and also had a ducktail-style rear end.
It wasn't just the rear that changed, however, as a new front-end design finds its way onto the Chiron Profilee. The signature horseshoe grille is enlarged, and the front bumper features wider air inlets. The new front end works with an aerodynamically optimized floor to enhance handling and high-speed stability.
Bugatti claims the focus is still on handling and ultimate acceleration. In addition to the aforementioned acceleration and top speed figures, the chassis has been tuned for cornering prowess, with increased camber on the front and rear wheels and stiffer springs (by 10% over a Chiron Sport). However, we're sure it can still drift like the regular Pur Sport.
This unique model is finished in Argent Atlantique, a hue Bugatti says was developed solely for this car, making it a true one-of-one in so many ways. The lower elements are exposed carbon fiber with a Bleu Royal Carbon tint. Within the wheel arches, a Profilee-exclusive wheel design features polished aluminum elements and Le Patron-colored details.
Equally beautiful to look at as it is to inhabit, the hand-finished interior is precisely what we expect of Bugatti's finest craftspeople. While the abundance of leather, carbon fiber, and solid aluminum is to be expected, the highlight is the woven leather finish found on the door panels, dash, and center console. This unique finish was created from more than 8,200 feet of leather strips. The color scheme comprises Gris Rafele and Deep Blue for the comfort-specification seats, while the dash elements are black anodized aluminum with a Profilee signature inlaid in the frame itself.
There's no telling how much this one-of-one creation might fetch when it crosses the auction block in Paris next year, but one thing is for sure - the Chiron that never should've existed is a truly exclusive beauty that will become the crown jewel of someone's car collection.
Should it find its way to an American owner, don't expect to see it on the road, as it is offered solely with European single-type approval, meaning it's not US road legal.