In the world of supercars, there are examples that become legends even before they roll off the production line. Bugatti La Voiture Noire - just such a car. Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, it immediately went down in history as the most expensive new car in the world, with a price tag of $18.9 million. But who was the only person who could afford this luxury? And why does the car still cause such a stir?

This article will not only reveal the name of the buyer (spoiler: it is not a Russian oligarch or an Arab sheikh), but will also explain why La Voiture Noire - not just a vehicle, but a work of art on wheels. We will analyze the technical features, history of creation and current location of the car, and also figure out why its purchase became one of the most high-profile events in the auto industry of the last decade.

What is the Bugatti La Voiture Noire and why does it cost $19 million?

Bugatti La Voiture Noire (from French - “black car”) is a unique copy, created in the singular. It is based on the platform Bugatti Chiron, but with a radically redesigned design inspired by the legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic 1930s. The car is equipped with the same 8.0-liter W16 engine with four turbines, developing 1500 hp, but its body is completely unique.

The price of $18.9 million includes not only the car itself, but also:

  • 🎨 Exclusive design, on which the best Bugatti artists worked for 2.5 years.
  • 🔧 Manual assembly — it took more than 10,000 man-hours to create.
  • 💎 Unique materials: carbon fiber body, titanium and 3D printed parts, hand-made leather.
  • 🏆 Collector Status — the car immediately became an investment asset.

An important nuance: Bugatti La Voiture Noire was not sold through dealers - it was purchased directly from the factory, bypassing all traditional channels. This emphasizes its status as an object of art, and not just a vehicle.

Who bought the Bugatti La Voiture Noire: debunking the myth

Since its announcement in 2019, there have been rumors that the buyer was a Russian billionaire, an Arab prince, or even a famous American collector. However, official sources Bugatti confirmed: he became the owner Ferdinand Piech - former top manager Volkswagen Group and one of the key people behind the revival of the brand Bugatti in the 2000s.

Pikh is not just a rich collector - he auto industry legend. It was he who oversaw the development of such icons as Bugatti Veyron, Porsche Carrera GT and Audi R8. Purchase La Voiture Noire became for him a symbol of the end of his career (he left VW Group in 2018) and a tribute to the brand to which he dedicated 20 years of his life.

⚠️ Attention: Despite the rumors, not a single Russian businessman is involved in this deal. All references to the “Russian trace” are nothing more than media speculation based on stereotypes about wealthy supercar buyers.
📊 Why do you think Pikh chose La Voiture Noire?
This is an investment in future value.
He wanted to support the Bugatti brand
He liked the design
This is a gift to yourself for your career
Another option

Technical specifications: what's hiding under the hood?

Although La Voiture Noire built on the basis Chiron, its technical content has several key differences:

Parameter Bugatti La Voiture Noire Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
Engine 8.0L W16 (1500 hp) 8.0L W16 (1600 hp)
Gearbox 7-speed DSG 7-speed DSG
Acceleration 0–100 km/h 2.4 sec 2.3 sec
Max. speed 420 km/h (limited) 440 km/h
Body Carbon fiber, hand assembled Carbon fiber, mass production

Interesting fact: despite the lower power compared to Chiron Super Sport, La Voiture Noire has improved aerodynamics thanks to the unique body. Its drag coefficient (Cx) is only 0,35 - a record for hypercars of this class.

Why is the maximum speed limited?

The maximum speed is artificially limited to 420 km/h not due to technical limitations, but due to the uniqueness of the tire. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, designed specifically for this machine, are not designed for higher loads due to the risk of overheating. In addition, Bugatti did not want to risk the only example in the race for records.

Where is Bugatti La Voiture Noire now?

After the purchase in 2019, the car was not immediately handed over to Pihu - it underwent additional tests and modifications at the plant in Molsheim (France). According to the latest confirmed data (2023), the car:

  • 🏠 Stored in private collection of Ferdinand Piech in Germany.
  • 🚗 Does not participate in public exhibitions (unlike other unique Bugattis).
  • 🔒 Insured for an amount exceeding $25 million.
  • 📸 The only photos after the purchase were taken during a closed photo shoot for a magazine Top Gear.

Why isn't the car put up for auction? Piech has repeatedly stated that he does not consider La Voiture Noire as an investment. For him, it is a personal symbol, not an asset for resale. Moreover, Bugatti included a clause in the purchase agreement regarding ban on resale for 10 years - a rare condition for supercars.

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If you are planning to buy a unique supercar, pay attention to the clauses in the resale agreement. Many manufacturers (like Ferrari or Koenigsegg) include sales restrictions for the first 1-3 years to prevent speculation.

How much does Bugatti La Voiture Noire cost today?

The car was not officially sold or valued after 2019, but rare car market experts make the following predictions:

  • 💰 2026: $25–30 million (taking into account inflation and growing demand for unique hypercars).
  • 📈 2030: $40–50 million (if the car remains in perfect condition and is not used).
  • 🏆 After 2030: Potentially over $100 million if La Voiture Noire will become part of the museum collection (for example, Petersen Automotive Museum or Louvre).

For comparison: another unique Bugatti — Centodieci (released in an edition of 10 pieces) - is already being sold on the secondary market for $12–15 million, although it originally cost $9 million. This confirms the trend: exclusive Bugattis are growing in price by 20–30% per year.

⚠️ Attention: If you see offers for sale Bugatti La Voiture Noire on the secondary market it is 100% scam. The car cannot be sold without the knowledge of Ferdinand Piech and Bugatti, and any “intermediaries” offer counterfeits or money laundering schemes.

How to buy such a car: instructions for billionaires

If you decide that La Voiture Noire - this is what you need, here is the algorithm of actions (assuming you have $20+ million):

1. Become a Bugatti VIP client (the minimum threshold is to own at least one Bugatti)

2. Confirm financial solvency (bank guarantees, purchase history)

3. Receive invitations to private presentations of new models

4. Negotiate directly with the CEO of Bugatti (in the case of unique copies)

5. Sign a non-disclosure agreement and restrictions on resale-->

However, there are nuances:

  • 🔐 Private club: Bugatti does not sell unique models "off the street". You need to be on the list of favorite clients.
  • ⏳ Queue: Even if you have money, you can wait for years. For example, on Bugatti Divo (circulation of 40 pieces) the queue lasted for 3 years.
  • 📝 Agreement: The contract will contain clauses prohibiting modifications, mandatory maintenance at the factory, and export restrictions.

An alternative way is to buy at auctions, but here the prices are even higher. For example, 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic was sold at Sotheby’s in 2010 for $30 million (at that time a record for a car).

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The main rule of buying unique supercars: money is only 50% of success. The second half is reputation, connections and history of relations with the brand.

The future of Bugatti: will there be new unique models?

After purchase Bugatti company Rimac Automobili in 2021, the brand strategy has changed. Now the emphasis is on:

  • 🔋 Hybrid and electric hypercars (for example, Bugatti Chiron Super Sport "57 One of One" with a hybrid power plant).
  • 🎨 Even more exclusive projects - for example, Bugatti Tourbillon (2026), which will be the last car with W16 engine.
  • 💎 Collaborations with luxury brands (for example, with Hermès or Jacob & Co to create limited editions).

However, a new unique specimen like La Voiture Noire unlikely in the next 5–10 years. Reasons:

  1. Change of owner (from VW Group on Rimac) requires a revision of the business model.
  2. The market for unique hypercars is saturated (competitors: Rolls-Royce Sweptail, Mercedes-Maybach Exelero).
  3. Bugatti focuses on production but ultra-expensive models (e.g. Mistral $5 million each).

If a new “black legend” appears, its price will exceed $30 million, and the buyer will most likely be from among:

  • 👑 Arab sheikhs (for example, Prince Badr bin Saud, owner Bugatti "La Macchia").
  • 💼 American tech billionaires (like Elon Musk or Larry Ellison).
  • 🎮 Collectors from Asia (for example, Li Kashing, who owned Ferrari 250 GTO).
Why is the car called "La Voiture Noire"?

The name translates as “black car” and refers to the legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic 1936, which was also painted black. This car, which belonged to Jean Bugatti (the son of the company's founder), disappeared without a trace during World War II. La Voiture Noire - a tribute to the memory of that lost car.

How long did it take to create the car?

From the first sketches to the final assembly it took 2.5 years. At the same time, it took more than 1,000 hours to hand polish the body, and every part was 3D scanned to check accuracy. Interestingly, even the bolts on the car have a unique design with the Bugatti logo.

Is it possible to buy a replica of La Voiture Noire?

Technically yes, but:

  1. Bugatti will never release an official replica.
  2. Unofficial copies (for example, from Chinese companies) will cost $200-500 thousand, but will have nothing in common with the original except appearance.
  3. Any attempt to reproduce logos or designs may result in legal action for copyright infringement.

The only legal way is to order a custom one Bugatti Chiron with a similar design, but it will cost $4–5 million and will not give the status of the owner of a unique car.

Where can I see La Voiture Noire live?

The chances are extremely low. The car does not participate in public events, and Ferdinand Piech is not known for his love of exhibitions. The only possibilities:

  • 🎥 Videos from closed screenings (for example, on the channel Bugatti on YouTube).
  • 📷 Photo shoots in magazines (Top Gear, Car and Driver).
  • 🏛 Perhaps in 10–20 years the car will end up in a museum (for example, Bugatti Atelier in Molsheim).
Why doesn't Bugatti make another car like this?

The main reason is brand philosophy. Bugatti positions itself as a creator of unique works of art, rather than mass-produced supercars. Release of even a second copy La Voiture Noire would undermine the exclusivity of the former. In addition, manual assembly of such a car requires enormous resources, which the brand prefers to invest in new projects.