RUMOUR: BUGATTI 16C GALIBIER APPROVED FOR PRODUCTION

Media reports from Bloomberg confirm that Bugatti’s 16C Galibier sedan will be built. Although no date was issued, word is the Volkswagen Group board has approved manufacture for the super-luxury four-door. We think it will start selling in 2012. The Galibier is based on the concept of the same name which was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Galibier will probably cost something in the region of €1 million (R9.5 million) and feature a 16-cylinder engine with about 700kW. Those figures will make it the quickest, most expensive and fastest sedan on the planet. Not even a Rolls Royce Phantom will come close. Like its Veyron brother, the Galibier will feature AWD and either the same DSG gearbox or an 8-speed automatic.

Bugatti’s new chief Wolfgang Duerheimer (he also heads Bentley) is keen to increase his brand’s automotive footprint to beyond the 300 Veyrons, some of which are either already sold or still in production. Considering that Rolls-Royce sold over 2711 cars in 2010, Bugatti is a seriously boutique player.