Bugatti CEO gave an update about the new model.
It's hard to imagine just how different the world was just a few months ago. The coronavirus pandemic has changed all aspects of business, culture, and life in general. A vaccine is expected to arrive sometime next year, at least for us humans. There is no vaccine for automakers, many of whom are now being forced to make tough decisions. Bugatti is no exception. According to Bloomberg, the hypercar company has halted plans for a second model to sit alongside the Bugatti Chiron. Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed the news during a recent interview.
"We had talks about a second-model lineup," Winkelmann said. "This was now blocked due to the coronavirus crisis; we're not talking about what's coming next."
Bugatti customers and other wealthy buyers have mostly been economically unaffected by the pandemic, but Bugatti has been left exposed to the eventual post-pandemic world as it doesn't sell an all-electric model, let alone a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The Chiron, and variants such as the Chiron Super Sport 300+ are powered by an internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, the upcoming Lotus Evija hypercar boasts an all-electric powertrain and will deliver nearly 2,000 horsepower. The most powerful Chiron, by contrast, has a still very impressive 1,500 hp.
Bugatti, whose possible sale to Rimac Automobili could be decided next month during parent company Volkswagen Group's board meeting, sees the writing on the wall but extraordinary circumstances have taken precedent.
However, Bugatti could have its best year ever thanks to a full order book which, according to Winkelmann, "gives us peace of mind" for now and next year. For example, every car built this year and 70 to 80 percent of next year's planned output has already been sold. Perhaps that's one reason why Rimac is reportedly interested in purchasing majority control over Bugatti, a topic Winkelmann refused to comment on.
As for the identity of the now-delayed second Bugatti model, rumors claimed it would be an all-electric grand tourer. If so, this is certainly a technology Rimac knows a thing or two about.
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