Currently reading: Bugatti Chiron one-off nods to legendary Type 57 Atlantic

Tribute to 1934 car features bespoke detailing both inside and out; is one of the last Chirons to be produced

The Bugatti 57 One of One has been unveiled as an ultra-exclusive, 273mph tribute to the 1934 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. 

Based on the Chiron Super Sport, this latest special edition will be one of the last to be produced, with the Chiron sold out and its hybrid successor due to be revealed in the coming months.   

Commissioned by an American customer who has never owned a Bugatti before, it was conceived to eventually be considered as "iconic" as the Atlantic - widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cars in the world. 

The new Chiron variant gets a series of standout design features, including a new upright horseshoe front grille with 14 polished vertical slats, reminiscent of the Atlantic.

The “completely authentic” blue paint on the bodywork and wheels is also a reference to the 1934 car and the underside of the rear spoiler features a hand-drawn silhouette of the Atlantic and the slogan '57 One of One'.

Elsewhere outside, it takes after the 'standard' Chiron Super Sport in featuring stacked quad exhausts, a C-shaped side profile, a bluff rear end with a bumper-width light bar, prominent beltlines and a W16 engine bay mostly covered for aerodynamics.

Jascha Straub, the lead designer of Bugatti’s Sur Mesure personalisation programme, said: "For years I've been idly dreaming of reinterpreting this icon, so I already had my own ideas of what I would do to honour the most elegant car ever designed. That meant that right away we could sit down and begin evolving the design to realise (the customer's) vision together."

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

Bugatti originally brought us the Veyron and now has masterminded a 1487bhp, £2.5m masterpiece that's set to become the world's fastest production car

Back to top

Even with its bespoke design elements, Bugatti has ensured its bodywork and air ducts still meet the specification necessary for a 273mph top speed.

Inside, brown Gaucho leather upholstery is decorated with hand-stitched silhouettes of the Atlantic on the door panels, as well as an inlay on the centre console bearing the name of the car.

Depicted on the back of the headrests is Bugatti's 'Dancing Elephant' graphic, which the firm has used on its most exclusive cars since the 1926 Type 41 Royale.

The purchase price of the one-off is unknown, but it will be a significant premium over the £3.5 million tag put on the Chiron Super Sport.

Jonathan Bryce

Jonathan Bryce
Title: Editorial Assistant

Jonathan is an editorial assistant working with Autocar. He has held this position since March 2024, having previously studied at the University of Glasgow before moving to London to become an editorial apprentice and pursue a career in motoring journalism. 

His role at work involves running Autocar's sister title Move Electric, which is most notably concerned with electric cars. His other roles include writing new and updating existing new car reviews, and appearing on Autocar's social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Join the debate

Comments
5
Add a comment…
Pierre 7 December 2023

Excessive and ugly vulgarity.

Folsom 7 December 2023
Pierre wrote:

Excessive and ugly vulgarity.

while I thought it elegant and tasteful - as french fisherman say "one man's poisson etc..."

Peter Cavellini 7 December 2023
Pierre wrote:

Excessive and ugly vulgarity.

Whatever you think, it's their choice, their money, how the have this wealth you object to is not ours to criticise or condemn, I wouldn't buy one because I'd want to drive it everyday, be able to go anywhere with it, ba able park up hoping it's not criminally damaged,yes, that's the kind of World we imagine.

scrap 7 December 2023

"The price? £3.5m. But as you have such impressive wealth and impeccable taste, let's call it £5m. No, really, the pleasure is all mine."

Anton motorhead 7 December 2023
Scrap, your price estimate may be spot on, but vulgar it is and I would be ashamed of driving one even if I could.