Bugatti’s La Voiture Noire, a unique supercar priced at $18.7 million, is scheduled to make its public debut in the United States. The car was recently purchased by an undisclosed male buyer.
The highly anticipated appearance of the supercar will take place on Sunday at the exclusive Concours D’Elegance in Monterey, California. This prestigious car show will be held on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, with ticket prices starting at $450.
Having made its initial debut at the Geneva International Motor Show in Europe back in March, the La Voiture Noire, meaning ‘The Black Car,’ has garnered significant attention. Speculation has been rife regarding the enigmatic buyer of this remarkable vehicle, as it was sold solely based on a sketch to an unidentified Bugatti enthusiast.
Amidst rumors and speculations, soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has vehemently denied being the buyer of the hypercar. A Spanish outlet had reported his alleged purchase, to which Ronaldo’s spokesperson clarified in May, “The story isn’t true. He has not bought it,” speaking to TMZ.
Several other names have been mentioned as potential buyers for the car, including boxer Floyd Mayweather, renowned for his extensive collection of luxury vehicles, including multiple Bugattis. However, keen observers point out Mayweather’s tendency to flaunt his wealth, making it unlikely for him to keep such a purchase a secret.
Furthermore, there have been reports suggesting that the supercar is destined for Ferdinand Piech, the former chairman of the Volkswagen Group, which owns Bugatti. According to Bugatti, the company approached a single buyer with concept sketches of the vehicle, and the customer immediately agreed to make the purchase.
Bugatti spokesman Tim Bravo, speaking to CNBC, stated, “As soon as a customer makes a public claim, then we can refer to that, but other than that, we will honor a customer’s anonymity, and he will decide whether or not he wants to remain anonymous.” The carmaker provided a small hint about the buyer, mentioning that the buyer is married, with the detail that the design of the car’s six tailpipes was suggested by his wife.
According to Bravo, the buyer will have complete freedom to customize the car’s interior. During its appearance in Geneva, the car had blacked-out windows to conceal the unfinished interior. Bugatti has produced only one prototype of this supercar, which serves as a tribute to the 110th anniversary of the company’s founding.
La Voiture Noire represents a modern interpretation of the mythical and legendary Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. Between 1936 and 1938, four of these coveted classic cars were built. While three of them are accounted for, the fourth one was lost during World War II. If it were to be discovered today, its value would exceed $100 million.
The La Voiture Noire is an impressive powerhouse, propelled by an 8.0-liter turbocharged W16 engine capable of reaching a top speed of 260 mph. However, the car is still under construction and is not expected to be ready for street use until at least 2021.
Although the car is widely regarded as the most expensive new car ever sold, it is anticipated that even more expensive classic cars will be showcased at Pebble Beach on Sunday. Last year, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold during Pebble Beach Car Week for a record-breaking $48.4 million.
