Customers concerned that their Chiron or Chiron Sport may not be sufficiently special, in the rarefied realm of the hypercar, can now opt for either the Chiron Noire Élégance or the Chiron Noire Sportive.
A special namesake
Bugatti will tell you that the Chiron Noire editions draw inspiration from an incredibly special and elusive model from the company's past. 'La Voiture Noire' was one of just four Bugatti Type-57 SC Atlantics built and, after being used for shows and promotional work, it became the personal car of the company's designer - and Ettore's son and heir - Jean Bugatti. These Atlantics were built between 1936 and 1938, with 'La Voiture Noire' disappearing at the beginning of the Second World War following the Nazi invasion of France. To this day the car's fate remains unknown.
However, the reality is that these special editions have a closer resemblance to Bugatti's $18.68 million prototype 'La Voiture Noire 2', which it unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este earlier in the year. Created by design director Achim Anscheidt to be an interpretation of the ultimate GT for Bugatti enthusiasts, it was described as a coupe with the comfort of a luxury limousine and the power of a hyper sports car. Company president, Stephan Winkelmann, said the 'La Voiture Noire 2' was "the spearhead of automotive engineering - a sculptural beauty."
Vive la difference
Which is which? The clue lies with their names - the Élégance is focused on subtle razzle-dazzle elegance while the Sportive concentrates on being the sportier of these mean and moody special-edition Chirons.
Élégance customers get slightly more show and shine than those who have opted for the Sportive. Matching its largely black and leathery boudoir interior, is an exterior covered with gloss-finished carbon fibre bodywork, and a solid milled, matt-finished, aluminium C-shaped Bugatti signature line. The bespoke Bugatti 'macaron' badge is made from solid silver and finished with black enamel. Black brake calipers sit behind new wheels, whilst the door mirrors and engine cover are finished in black carbon fibre and polished aluminium. Finishing off the exterior details are a few 'Noire' legends.
Meanwhile the Chiron Noire Sportive does without the highlight and sparkle, instead opting for an almost stealth bomber dress code. Its carbon fibre body is matt-finished, and its exterior trim is all matt black too - even down to its four exhaust pipes. The same goes for all the interior fixtures and fittings, which come in any colour you like as long as it's... Yes, you've guessed it.
How many, how much and how fast?
'How few?' is probably more accurate, as Bugatti will only by building 20 of these Chiron Noire editions - with delivery starting in the second quarter of 2020. Powered by the Chiron's familiarly immense 1,500hp 1,600Nm 8.0-litre W16 engine, prices start from €3m for the basic version or as a €100,000 upgrade for the Chiron Sport. Naturally those figures don't include VRT that Irish buyers would have to pay on top...