Calling it a “a testament to what can be achieved when legacy guides innovation, and the pursuit of perfection remains the only acceptable standard,” Bugatti celebrated delivery of its final Bolide model at its Molsheim Atelier facility in France. Limited to just 40 examples, the modern track hypercar is said to carry the spirit of the legendary Type 35 forward, connecting Ettore Bugatti’s racing excellence with the ultimate expression of W16 on-track performance.
To mark the occasion, Bugatti shared the story behind the vehicle’s creation and production, highlighting “a project that has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in track-focused automotive engineering”:
From the outset, Bugatti pursued a clear vision for this undertaking—one that would honor the brand’s heritage while redefining the limits of performance. Its creation would be guided by the pursuit of purity and purpose to craft a machine that remained effortlessly accessible to the gentleman racer, yet capable of delivering an unforgettable experience for even the most seasoned professional. August 2021 marked the beginning of the journey, and the mission was complex—to translate the Bolide “what if” concept from its reveal into production reality.
What made the challenge particularly demanding was the commitment to ensure that this track-focused hypercar would embody Bugatti excellence in every aspect. The Bolide had to take its rightful place within the Bugatti collection, matching the quality of execution and craftsmanship that defines every car bearing the marque’s name.
“My first contact with the project was in August 2021, so we really go back more than four years. At that time, it was a brand-new concept in the very early design stages. It was an exciting time because we had many elements to bring together,” said Emilio Scervo, chief technology officer at Bugatti.
Multiple details required careful attention, from core engineering to the finer aspects of production quality. These were not viewed as separate concerns, but interconnected aspects that together would ultimately define the Bolide’s character.
The timeline underscores the known Bugatti narrative of dedication and precision. From August 2021 through August 2022, the project’s development unfolded with characteristic thoroughness. The team focused intensely on ensuring every technical aspect of the Bolide met Bugatti’s exacting standards.
“We were developing the Bolide as a project that demanded a very high level of performance,” Scervo recalled. “The idea of being a perfect track car for both gentlemen and professional drivers is not so easy to translate into driving attributes, but it’s essential to what makes it a Bugatti.”
Analysis & Refinement
The Bolide’s design was finalized in 2022, with engineering completed in early 2023—the vision having crystallized through thousands of hours of engineering analysis, aesthetic refinement and meticulous attention to detail. Every decision ensured the first prototypes were ready to be driven, allowing the team to test and refine the car in real-world conditions.
Le Mans 2023 served as a pivotal proving ground. The Bugatti team arrived at the legendary circuit for its 100-year anniversary with a car that embodied years of commitment to Bugatti’s principles and—with its colorful livery—paid homage to the Bugatti Le Mans winners of the 1930s. The results exceeded expectations, with Bugatti Pilote Officiel, Andy Wallace, surpassing 217 mph on the straight.
Still, from summer 2023 to early 2024, the Bolide continued its intensive development phase on the track. This period demanded absolute commitment from the entire team, with engineers and technicians working from early morning to late into the night. Each day followed a meticulously planned schedule, so precise that downtime was measured in minutes rather than hours, ensuring maximum track time when the circuit opened in the morning.
Every evening, the team conducted detailed debriefings to review the day’s activities against the plan and assess outcomes. Throughout the night, the car was prepared for the following day’s testing. Come morning, the team would reconvene early to complete final preparations, ensuring the Bolide was ready the moment the track opened.
Throughout the project, one principle remained constant—the understanding that performance alone does not define a Bugatti. Crucial conversations shaped an approach that went beyond technical specifications to address fundamental questions about what the Bolide should represent.
This insistence on marrying supreme performance with the qualities of grace and refinement is trait that defines every Bugatti that leaves Molsheim. It is visible in the proportions, felt in the driving experience and present in every detail from the cockpit to the powertrain.
Performance Ambitions
For Bugatti it was vital that production quality matched the Bolide’s extraordinary performance ambitions. Transforming a track-focused performance car into a true Bugatti—one that matched the marque’s renowned aesthetics and pursuit of perfection—presented a challenge for the engineers, suppliers and production team alike. The focus was unambiguous, as Bugatti customers expect not merely speed, but impeccable quality through vehicles that deliver excellence not just on their first drive, but throughout their lifetime.
“We set out to create a car that can perform on the racetrack, yet also belongs in the world’s finest collections,” said Christophe Piochon, president of Bugatti Automobiles. “That’s why we devoted extraordinary attention to every detail of execution, from the paintwork to the interior, so that owning a Bolide reflects the same level of craftsmanship as every other Bugatti in your collection. This was a new challenge for our production teams in the Atelier and for every supplier and partner. Motorsport typically prioritizes parts that can be changed quickly, yet a Bugatti is created to stand the test of time. Upholding that philosophy while delivering extreme performance required absolute dedication from everyone involved.”
Journey’s End
As production concluded in Molsheim, each Bolide that emerged from the Atelier carried the story of the model’s journey. From the ambitious beginnings in August 2021 to the validation at Le Mans 2023 and the first track days with clients in 2025, the project reflected the dedication of the engineers that ensured every component meets Bugatti’s exacting standards.
The last Bolide represents a particularly meaningful chapter in the story. Commissioned by a dedicated collector and longstanding friend of the marque, the final example draws its inspiration from a cherished piece of Bugatti heritage—the owner’s own Type 35.
A connection between past and present is expressed through the carefully chosen colorway, which honors the vibrant shades of blue that have been part of Bugatti’s competition history for generations. The color palette holds such significance for the valued customer that he also specified the same colorway for his Veyron Grand Sport—itself the final example produced. The last Bolide therefore completes a trilogy that spans decades.
Finished in a bespoke specification featuring Black Blue and Special Blue Lyonnais exterior details with Lake Blue Alcantara throughout the interior, this final Bolide reflects the relationship between collector and brand. From the French Flag on the side of the car to the Light Blue Sport interior stitching, each element speaks to both an individual passion for motorsport and Bugatti’s racing heritage.
The delivery itself became a celebration of the bond. When the customer arrived in Molsheim to take possession of his final Bolide, an intimate gathering marked the milestone. In true Bugatti family spirit, the occasion honored not only the completion of an extraordinary project, but also the trust and loyalty that defines the relationship between the marque and its most devoted collectors.