Although it has yet to launch the Chiron->ke5023 and the Veyron->ke1112 is sold out since early 2015, Bugatti->ke16 has extended its presence in the United States by opening two new showrooms. Bugatti's new dealers in North America are Manhattan Motorcars in New York and Braman Motors in Miami.
“North America is a very important market for Bugatti. About a quarter of our Veyron series, which is sold out, is located in North America and customers here are showing phenomenal interest in the next Bugatti super sports car,->ke506" said Dr. Stefan Brungs, a member of the Board of Management of Bugatti Automobiles at the inauguration of the new showroom in Manhattan.
The new showrooms were used to introduce a new brand design developed specifically for Bugatti dealers. The dealerships are dominated by blue, the company's official brand color, and complemented by distinctive lines and clear surfaces "reminiscent of Bugatti super sports cars." The concept->ke169 includes a heritage section running films and animations highlighting Bugatti's history, a comfortable lounge area with furniture from Bugatti Brand Lifestyle (including carbon-fiber armchairs), and adaptable background lighting with the company's red oval logo. The new dealership concept will expand to other showrooms as well.
With these two new showrooms, Bugatti now has 27 dealers in 13 countries. Further dealerships are due to open in Munich, Monaco, and Tokyo over the next few months.
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Why it matters
Granted, opening new dealerships when you have no vehicles to sell is awkward to say the least, but not when it comes to an exclusive manufacturer such as Bugatti. Given that its supercars fetch in excess of $1 million before options, the French need all the hype they can get, and these fancy dealerships are doing just that.
Bugatti has yet to reveal when the Chiron will be unveiled, but Stefan Brungs did say that its development "is running at full speed." Given that prototypes have already been spotted in the open and that a competed car was shown to a limited audience at the Molsheim headquarters in July 2015, the Chiron could brake cover as early as 2016.
Until then, Bugatti's new dealerships in New York and Miami will probably work as pilgrimage sites for Bugatti enthusiasts and potential customers.
Bugatti Chiron
Very little is known about the Chiron as of this writing, but recent prototypes suggest its exterior design will blend styling cues seen on the Veyron with those showcased by the Vision Gran Turismo concept car. Motivation is likely to come from a heavily updated version of the Veyron's 8.0-liter W-16, which could generate up to 1,500 horsepower and 1,100 pound-feet of torque. Word has it the Chiron will need only 2.5 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start, to go with a top speed of 286 mph. If this proves to be true, the Chiron will become the fastest road-legal production car in the world.
Read our full review on the Bugatti Chiron here.