10 Bugatti Facts That Will Astonish Even the Biggest Fans

Bugatti is known today as a brand that chases new speed records, armed with its mind-blowing 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged engine in a crazy good chassis. You’d think it’s always been that way, but no. Bugatti actually kicked off back in 1909, thanks to Ettore Bugatti—an Italian-born Frenchman, which makes Bugatti a French brand, not Italian like people might assume from the name. I call it one of the funniest Bugatti facts in this piece of content. Am I right?

Bugatti Facts, History, Evolution, and Fame

If you look back, the whole reputation Bugatti’s got for making fast, stunning cars is all thanks to Ettore himself. The first real and oldest car from the Bugatti brand was the Type 13. From grand touring coupes to race cars winning big at Grand Prix events, Bugatti wasn’t just fast—it was unforgettable. But when Ettore passed away in 1947, there was no one ready to take over, and the brand hit financial roadblocks, eventually making just around 8,000 cars before bankruptcy forced a halt. By 1963, it was only really worth anything for its aircraft parts business, but in 1987, Romano Artioli—a determined Italian businessman—grabbed the Bugatti name and set up shop in Modena, with a new factory that opened in 1990.

Artioli brought the Bugatti EB110 to life, a sleek roadster, and its motorsports cousin, the EB110 SS, or Super Sport. Both cars looked amazing, but they didn’t exactly scream classic Bugatti design. Even though Bugatti’s revival shook up the car world, selling enough of those beauties to make money was tough. By 1995, Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. couldn’t keep up, and Artioli had to declare bankruptcy. Bugatti’s story didn’t end there. In 1998, Volkswagen AG swooped in and bought it, bringing the brand back once more. That same year, at the Paris Motor Show, Bugatti’s EB 118 concept car—a stunning two-seater with 555 horsepower designed by Italdesign—made its debut. Then, in 2001, Volkswagen’s Bugatti division decided it was time for a new production model, unleashing the 1001-horsepower Veyron 16.4, which many car buffs still say is one of the best ever built.

There are a lot of other interesting Bugatti facts that people do not know about this French automaker. Here are some of them.

10 Intriguing Bugatti Facts You’ve Never Heard

1. Bugatti Owners often Soar Through The Skies and Cruise The Seas

Wolfgang Durheimer, Bugatti’s CEO, once mentioned that a typical Bugatti owner has a collection—around 84 cars, also a yacht, and three private jets. Though these numbers aren’t exactly spot-on, they sure paint a picture. That’s what makes Bugatti so special; it’s not for everyone. You’d hardly find people with jets and yachts lying around. Only those who’ve reached that extraordinary level can afford to think about a Bugatti.

2. A Simple Oil Change for A Bugatti can Cost A Pretty Penny

Getting an oil change on a Bugatti is not cheap—it’ll run you somewhere in the ballpark of $20,000 to $25,000. And yeah, the exact price does hinge on the model, but either way, it’s up there. Compare that with a Nissan or Hyundai oil change, which barely scratches $100. Now, if you’re someone dropping over a million bucks (for the most economical Bugatti only) just to own a Bugatti, I suppose an oil change that costs as much as a used car isn’t exactly a dealbreaker.

3. The Divo “Lady Bug” Waited Two Years for its Perfect Coat of Paint

When it comes to Bugatti, cutting corners just ain’t part of the equation, no way. They’re fully all in, right down to the tiniest details of design, production, and assembly—every last bit. Take a good look at the Divo “Lady Bug,” for instance. That paint job? It’s not just any paint; it’s a masterpiece. Bugatti’s design crew spent two whole years crafting this crazy-detailed diamond pattern, all to capture the spirit of the “Lady Bug” itself. The whole ordeal was so intense they nearly tossed in the towel. But, in the end, they pulled it off. Now that car? It’s a showstopper, no question, even compared to its 39 unique siblings in the Divo family. This is exactly what makes Bugatti so expensive.

4. Engineers Didn’t Believe Veyron Could be Built

One of the fun facts about Bugatti – the Veyron wasn’t always seen as some world-beater hypercar, not at first anyway. People close to the project practically laughed it off as wishful thinking. They said it couldn’t happen, that Ferdinand Piech, Bugatti’s boss back then, had his head in the clouds. Imagine being told you’re chasing a fantasy by the very people tasked with bringing your vision to life! But that’s where it gets interesting – Piech didn’t just shrug it off. Against every skeptical voice, the Bugatti Veyron roared into existence. Now, tell me dreams don’t make a difference.

5. The Mysterious Bugatti Facts about Sedan Which Very Few Know

I got to tell you, before Bugatti’s dream for Artioli’s vision crumbled, they tried something’ pretty wild. It’s like they had a flash of brilliance—a sedan concept that was far from ordinary. Designed by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro from Italdesign, the EB 112 was as unique as it gets. Picture a full-sized, retro-styled sedan, powered up with a V12 engine that roared with 450 horsepower, not to mention, it had four-wheel drive. Now, get this—the chassis, all carbon fiber, came straight from the EB 110. The show car was just that, though—a one-off display.

But when Bugatti hit the end of the line, businessman Gildo Pallanca Pastor, who also owned the Monaco Racing Team, swept in to grab whatever was left of Bugatti’s EB 112 dream. He bought up unfinished cars—three of ’em, along with every spare part he could find. So, two of those EB 112 models? They were completed by the Monaco Racing Team, though one stayed untouched, kept just like the original design study envisioned it. To this day, those three rare EB 112s are out in the world, and rumor has it one even went up for sale as recently as 2021.

6. Many “Golden Era” Bugatti Drivers were Ex-Pilots

Bugatti’s racing legacy is raw, and unfiltered, a testament to fierce competition and iron-willed drivers. I’m talkin’ speed and bravery – things you’d find in the roaring Grand Prix races of old. Back in the ’20s and ’30s, Bugatti cars, those French beasts from Alsace, racked up wins by the thousands.

You can’t overlook machines like the Type 35, a lightweight beauty known for its nimble handling. But, honestly, it wasn’t just the car. Those drivers, each one had grit that’s hard to put into words. They lived for speed, both on the ground and sometimes even in the air. They weren’t just drivers – they were daredevils with a true passion that you don’t see too often.

7. Bugatti’s W16 Engine has No Rival

I’ve always been floored by Bugatti’s Veyron and Chiron. Those cars are a marvel of design, truly, but it’s what’s under the hood that really blows your mind. You got an 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16, a rare breed—there’s no other production W16 engine like it in the world, not a single one. So, this engine, it’s something else: four rows, four cylinders in each row, an absolute powerhouse. And it ain’t just thrown together; every one of its ten radiators?

They’re crafted by hand, each one taking about 15 hours to make, talking about dedication. When you press the pedal to the floor, that engine drains the fuel tank in just 12 minutes. And imagine this, the fuel pumps have to work eight times harder than your typical car pumps, while the intake? It’s guzzling in 60,000 liters of air. But now, Bugatti’s sending off this engine in style—the last car it’ll roar in is the W16 Mistral. With a stunning 1,578 horsepower, they’re only making 99. That’s the end of a legend right there.

8. One of The Most Astonishing Bugatti Facts: Conquered Le Mans Twice

Bugatti’s got more than just Grand Prix glory – it’s also tasted victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, twice actually. Back in 1937, they snagged their first win thanks to Jean-Pierre Wimille and his teammate, Robert Benoist, who made the grueling race look like just another Sunday drive. Then, in 1939, Wimille returned, this time with Pierre Veyron, who helped push Bugatti to another win, even though they had barely any resources to work with and only a single car entered.

That cool Bugatti? The legendary Bugatti Type 57C, which roared with a 3.3-liter Supercharged straight-eight engine, was meticulously crafted under the vision of Jean Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti’s son. Tragically, Jean met his fate in 1939 while behind the wheel of a Type 57 during testing. As for Pierre Veyron, his name later found a new life in the form of the Bugatti Veyron, a model that would go down in history alongside another name: Louis Chiron. Chiron mostly did his magic in Grand Prix circuits and, over the years, racked up the most podium finishes for Bugatti, cementing his legacy in Bugatti lore.

9. The La Voiture Noire is The Second Most Expensive Bugatti

Bugatti’s La Voiture Noire – or “The Black Car” if you’re into translations – happens to sit on the throne as the brand’s priciest ride to date. When I saw that $19 million price tag, I couldn’t help but wonder who exactly has that kind of cash just lying around. As for who owns Bugatti, it is certainly not Cristiano Ronaldo, regardless of the speculations. How many lucky owners can claim this Bugatti? Just one!

It’s based on Jean Bugatti’s Type 57 SC Atlantic, and only four of these beauties ever existed. Jean himself held on to one, while the other three? Yeah, they got snapped up.

10. A Veyron Toy Cost More Than The Original Car

The last and probably one of the unbelievable Bugatti facts on our list is the golden Veyron. About 14 years ago, a couple of designers from different sides of the globe decided to get a little creative. Munich’s Robert Gulpen and Liverpool’s Stuart Hughson pooled their talents for a small, golden tribute to the Bugatti Veyron. This wasn’t your average model, either. A replica—scaled down to 1:18—crafted in 24-karat solid gold and dusted with 7.2 carats of diamonds, they dubbed it the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition. Three were made, each carrying a price of $2.9 million, surpassing the actual car’s price.

Reading such facts about Bugatti makes you scratch your head a bit, doesn’t it?