Bugatti confirmed on Thursday that its upcoming hypercar, intended to follow the Chiron, is set to make its first appearance in 2024 and is planned to be launched in 2026. The announcement was made in tandem with the departure of the company’s design head, Achim Anscheidt.
Having headed Bugatti’s design department for the last 19 years, Anscheidt has seen the completion of his last project with the company, the final design of the Chiron’s successor.
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Three years prior, Anscheidt had planned to step down. However, Mate Rimac, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bugatti Rimac partnership, persuaded him to stay and see through the completion of the design of the next hypercar.
Bugatti has affirmed that Frank Hey, the deputy design chief of the brand and an employee since 2008, will take over from Anscheidt. Despite his departure, Anscheidt will continue to provide advice to Hey, helping shape Bugatti’s design strategy until the end of the decade.
“Achim’s grasp of the Bugatti ethos, passed down from our founder, Ettore, and mirrored in the elegant designs of his son, Jean, is unparalleled. His final obligation to Bugatti was to conclude the design of our next-gen hyper sports car,” Rimac stated. “Without revealing too much, this car will be Achim’s masterpiece. It is the most authentic and beautiful progression of Bugatti I could have envisioned.”
Achim Anscheidt
Bugatti has been sparse with details about the upcoming Chiron successor. However, Rimac divulged in 2022 that the car would feature a hybrid engine, not an electric one. This revelation took many by surprise, given Rimac’s establishment of the EV technology company, Rimac Group.
Rimac disclosed in an interview with Auto Express in 2022 that his technology firm started engine development for the Chiron successor around 2020. This was when discussions with the Volkswagen Group were underway about acquiring Bugatti and establishing the Bugatti Rimac partnership.
The development of a new engine was essential as Bugatti intended to retire its famed quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16. Currently, it’s being phased out with the Chiron-based Mistral roadster, and Rimac was insistent on a hybrid model for the Chiron’s successor.
Rimac revealed in the same interview that Bugatti had initially planned an electric crossover to follow the Chiron. He had to convince the top brass that a hybrid hypercar was the optimal path forward.
The adoption of a hybrid engine will help distinguish upcoming Bugattis from Rimac’s electric hypercars. According to Rimac, Bugattis will continue to embody craftsmanship, analog dials, and aesthetically pleasing design, whereas Rimacs will pursue a more modern approach, incorporating advanced technology like autonomous modes for drifting or running hot laps.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bugatti Chiron Successor
When will Bugatti’s Chiron successor debut and when is it expected to launch?
The successor to Bugatti’s Chiron is expected to debut in 2024 and is planned for launch in 2026.
Who has been leading the design for Bugatti and who will succeed him?
Achim Anscheidt has been the chief designer at Bugatti for the last 19 years. He will be succeeded by Frank Hey, the brand’s deputy design chief, who has been with Bugatti since 2008.
What type of engine will the Bugatti Chiron successor have?
According to Mate Rimac, the CEO of the Bugatti Rimac partnership, the Chiron successor will be a hybrid hypercar, not fully electric.
How does Rimac plan to differentiate future Bugattis from Rimac’s own electric hypercars?
Future Bugattis, under Rimac’s guidance, will continue to emphasize craftsmanship, analog dials, and aesthetically pleasing design. On the other hand, Rimac’s own brand will follow a more modern approach, introducing advanced technology such as autonomous modes for drifting or running hot laps.
What was Bugatti’s initial plan for the Chiron successor?
Bugatti initially planned for the Chiron successor to be an electric crossover. However, Mate Rimac, CEO of the Bugatti Rimac partnership, persuaded the senior management to go for a hybrid hypercar.
More about Bugatti Chiron Successor
- Bugatti Official Website
- Mate Rimac and Bugatti Rimac Partnership
- Interview with Mate Rimac – Auto Express
- Bugatti Chiron Overview
- Bugatti’s Design Legacy
- Rimac Group Official Website
5 comments
Gotta say im surprised they’re going hybrid and not full electric, especially with Rimac at the helm. but i guess he’s got his reasons…
Losing Anscheidt is a big deal for Bugatti, he’s a legend in the design world. The good thing is he’s leaving on a high note, the successor to Chiron sounds promising. Excited to see what Hey will bring to the table.
Wow, can’t wait to see the new Bugatti!! Im sure it will be a beast on the road like its predecessor, the Chiron. And a hybrid? That’s unexpected, but interesting. Exciting times ahead!!
Finally! some big car companies are seriously considering hybrids and not just electric. diversity is key for the transition to greener tech. keep it up Bugatti!
Frank Hey, huh? He’s got some big shoes to fill with Anscheidt stepping down. Wish him the best of luck, Bugatti’s design legacy is in his hands now. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for us!