- The 16C Galibier was going to be Bugatti’s sole model after the Veyron.
- It featured a supercharged version of the 8.0-liter W16 engine.
- Its underpinnings came from the Bentley Arnage luxury sedan.
Years before the Veyron hit the market and redefined the supercar world, Bugatti toyed around with the idea of a high-end, luxury sports sedan. Two proposals were presented. The first, the EB 112, was revealed in 1993, while six years later, it showed us the EB 218. Neither would see the production line, but they weren’t the final sedan concept presented by Bugatti.
In 2009, several years after the launch of the Veyron, Bugatti again showed off a wild sedan prototype, named the 16C Galibier, this time with the express intent of launching it after the Veyron as Bugatti’s sole model. This never happened, and the concept largely disappeared from view. Until now.
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Horsepower Hunters recently had the opportunity to take an up-close look at the 16C Galibier, currently on display at the Autostadt museum in Wolfsburg, Germany. While some concept and prototype cars can look like they were assembled in a shed, that’s not the case with the Galibier.
More Than A Mock-Up
The fit and finish looks to be top-notch, and Bugatti clearly spent a lot of time and resources ensuring it was fitting of the EB badge. Like the Veyron and its subsequent Chiron and Tourbillon, the front end is dominated by a massive chrome horseshoe grille, while the intricate headlights also catch the eye.
The cabin also looks every bit as luxurious as a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. There are four seats, all trimmed in plush brown leather, loads of brushed aluminum accents, and heaps of polished wood throughout, including on the dashboard.
Despite the car’s age, it has a trick LCD infotainment display combined with physical switchgear, discreetly positioned on the lower part of the dash.
One of the Galibier’s most intriguing features is found in the second row. At the push of a button on the center console, a hidden infotainment screen pops up and spins around.
Bugatti also gave the concept an interesting engine. While it could have easily dumped in the quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 of the Veyron, engineers removed the turbos and replaced them with two superchargers. This would have allowed the car to deliver upwards of 1,000 hp, just like the Veyron, but with a broader power band, more fitting of a car like this.
