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Rimac says Bugatti's next model will be 'heavily electrified'

Croatia-based Rimac purchased a controlling stake in Bugatti in July 2021. While some worried that the tie-up would lead to badge-engineering, the company has confirmed that the Chiron's successor will not be merely an existing EV dressed in a swanky French suit. "The easiest thing for us would be to take the Nevera, slam a Bugatti logo on it, and call it a day, but I was against it. I'm an electric car guy, but a Bugatti should still have a combustion engine for some time," company founder Mate Rimac explained to Automotive News Europe. Badge-engineering is off the table, then; Bugatti fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Rimac added that future Bugatti models will be developed from scratch and in-house, and that his team will go to significant lengths to keep development costs in check in order to boost profitability. But while a Bugatti EV isn't around the corner, it doesn't sound like the model that takes the torch from the Chiron will keep the W16 alive. "[The car] will be heavily electrified, but we'll have a very attractive combustion engine. When people see the next-generation Bugatti, I think they will be surprised that I was pushing for something like that because people associate me with electric cars. But, I have always been a performance guy and a car freak. Considering the brand and the customers and the technology available, I think that we are developing the best possible solution for Bugatti, which is not an electric car today. It will be one day, but not today," Rimac continued. While he stopped short of providing technical details, "heavily electrified" and "a very attractive combustion engine" are statements that confirm the Chiron's successor will land with a hybrid powertrain. And, as of writing, there's no word yet on what the car will look like, both visually and mechanically. It could again take the form of a coupe with a mid-mounted engine, or it could adopt a different layout. We don't know when Bugatti will unveil its next car, though it doesn't sound like the company is in a rush: Its order book is full until 2025, according to Rimac. The final Chiron build slots have been spoken for, and the track-focused Bolide is sold-out as well. After a record-breaking 2021, Bugatti plans to build and deliver 80 cars in 2022, including the first examples of the EB110-inspired Centodieci. Meanwhile, the Croatian firm has launched production of the Nevera, its second model, after several delays linked to the ongoing chip shortage.

Bugatti Niniette 66 yacht is a 1,000-hp Chiron for the water

You know the problem with a Bugatti Chiron? It can't drive on water. Those poor ultra-wealthy Chiron owners will have to resort to some other brand for aquatic travel, and that just won't do. Bugatti recognized this issue and built a Chiron-inspired yacht with the help of boatbuilder Palmer Johnson. The companies actually started work on a yacht back in 2015, but according to Palmer Johnson, the design was different at that stage, and later it was redesigned to look like the Chiron. And it most certainly looks like a boat version of the hypercar. The horseshoe design on the sides of both are clearly connected, and the yacht is available in two-tone color schemes like the car. There are even options to have portions of the carbon fiber hull left exposed to show the weave. You can check out the different schemes using the online configurator. The yacht features both an open deck and interior cabins. Outside there is plenty of leather and carbon fiber, and the decking is available in various types of wood, including a naturally blue morta oak. The hot tub onboard also features a champagne bar, and nearby is a fire pit. Inside, marble joins the carbon fiber and leather, and the seating area has a surreal, flowing, organic look that wouldn't seem out of place in an alien spaceship. The theme continues to the bedroom, which features a double bed. The roughly 66-foot-long yacht also features a Man V8 engine displacing 16.2 liters and making 1,000 horsepower, good for a top speed of 44 knots or just over 50 mph. A 1,200-horsepower version of the engine is also available, propelling the yacht to 48 knots, or about 55 mph. The use of Man engines is also a nice touch considering that Man and Bugatti are owned by Volkswagen. The name of the yacht also has an interesting connection to Bugatti. According to Palmer Johnson, Bugatti built a speedboat in 1930, and it was also named Niniette, the nickname for Ettore Bugatti's youngest daughter. If you want one of these yachts, you'll want to act quickly though, as only 66 of them will be made. And price is only given on request. And you know what they say about having to ask for the price. If you miss out on the Niniette, there are other automotive-themed boats out there, such as a Lexus yacht or AMG speedboat. Related Video:

Rimac is reportedly close to buying Bugatti from the Volkswagen Group

Croatia-based Rimac is finalizing a deal to purchase Bugatti from the Volkswagen Group, according to an unverified report. If the rumor is accurate, the sale would propel Rimac to the top of the automotive industry, guarantee that Bugatti's future is electric, and mark the beginning of Volkswagen's efforts to divest its empire. Executives in Wolfsburg gave the deal the green light in September 2020, according to anonymous sources who spoke to British magazine Car, but the company's supervisory board hasn't approved it yet. Selling the French company isn't as simple as sending company founder Mate Rimac an email with an account number. Insiders explained Volkswagen would likely trade Bugatti and all of its assets for a significant stake in Rimac that would be transferred directly to Porsche, which already owns 15.5% of the brand. Officials hope to increase that figure to about 49%, meaning Bugatti is theoretically worth about 33.5% of Rimac, which was founded in 2009. Bugatti told Autoblog it can't comment on speculation. Mate Rimac gave us a similar answer. Rumors of a Bugatti sale have hovered around the automotive industry for several years, and they've never materialized. In theory, spinning off the brand would be relatively easy because it's not as deeply integrated into the Volkswagen Group as its sister companies. It doesn't share its W16 engine with another carmaker, for example. And yet, Car speculates Lamborghini, SEAT, ItalDesign, Bentley, and Ducati will also be sold in the coming years, leaving Volkswagen with its namesake division, Skoda, Audi, Porsche, Scania, and MAN. Volkswagen is having an estate sale to fund the development of electric, autonomous, and digital technologies. Its downsizing will send ripples through the auto industry. Porsche could move upmarket if it doesn't have to worry about stepping on Lamborghini's toes, for example. Spinoffs are always risky, so some companies may not survive if they're not bolstered by economies of scale. As of writing, there's no word on who will pick up the brands being divested under this scenario. And, keep in mind none of this is official. Volkswagen hasn't commented on the report. We'll update this developing story as more information becomes available.