Bugatti Veyron Replacement Expected by 2012

Veyron Photos

Bugatti will continue making low-volume special editions of the Veyron, like the open-top Grand Sport, introduced at Pebble Beach two weekends ago. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Bugatti only made five Pur Sang models. (Photo: Bugatti)

This is the Veyron Fbg par Hermès... saddle up. (Photo: Bugatti)

A total of 15 Sang Noir editions are being built, here beside a 1938 Type 57SC Atlantic. (Photo: Bugatti)

Top-tier luxury and super sports cars like Bugatti’s 16.4 Veyron aren’t updated on the usual four- to five-year lifecycle that regular cars enjoy, but rather are expected to endure for much, much longer. The Veyron was introduced in 2004 and, after a very long gestation period, came to market in 2006. A new targa-top Grand Sport model was introduced two weekends ago at Pebble Beach, with additional modifications to distinguish it further from the hardtop coupe, but the question remains as to what’s next for VW AG’s most prestigious brand.

Anyone questioning whether or not Bugatti will live on had better give their head a shake. Automakers don’t spend the time and money needed to revive a classic brand from near oblivion just to leave it by the wayside once an extremely successful model has run its course. No, after the Veyron’s 300-unit limited model run is delivered and 150 additional Grand Sports are out the doors of Bugatti’s renewed Molsheim factory, something completely new will be in production with hundreds of well-to-do clients eagerly waiting to “trade up”. Until then, however, Bugatti will keep the flame alive with special limited edition Veyrons like it’s been doing already.

The “naked” aluminum and exposed carbon fiber Pur Sang was limited to just five units, which put off some of Bugatti’s non-European customers unable to bid on this unpainted Veyron at its launch at the Frankfurt motor show last year, so the luxury brand stepped up with fifteen all-black Sang Noir models. In between these two, the limited edition Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show. No doubt, special versions of the new Grand Sport will also be produced, as well as a more powerful version of the coupe.

Of course, its 1,000-horsepower, quad-turbo V16 is hardly quick enough, so expect something in the 1,200-horsepower range with more than 1,100 lb-ft of torque, or so Autoblog has been pontificating, sometime before the Veyron replacement hits the streets.

This one not a rumor, CEO Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen told reporters at Pebble Beach that this new model could come as soon as 2012, and that along with a new two-place sports car, Bugatti could return to its luxury sedan roots and bring out a modern-day Royale.

Paefgen added that Bugatti will be introducing alternative-fuel engines in its next generation of cars, but like Bentley, don’t expect any diesels despite VW AG’s penchant for oil burners. Bentley’s customers don’t want them, and no doubt Bugatti’s clientele aren’t interested either.

With new special edition Veyrons on the way, a replacement expected within four years and a top-tier sedan expected down the road, only a dramatic downturn in the global market would waylay Bugatti’s plans for continued growth. As it is, sales in the elite super car segments are quite strong, and Bugatti, on the highest rung, appears set to enjoy continued success.