The one-of-a-kind Bugatti Chiron Profilee, the last-ever W16-powered hypercar from the premium marque, has sold for an astounding R182.5 million (€9,792,500).
“This sale at the RM Sotheby’s auction which took place in Paris on February 1st makes the Chiron Profilee the most valuable new car ever sold at auction,” said Bugatti.
“It is – in every sense – a unique piece in Bugatti’s history and a true collector’s item. And we wanted to give a fair chance to any devotee of the Bugatti brand to acquire this unique car, so we decided to partner with RM Sotheby’s to auction it.”
Although it won’t be the last W16-driven model to roll out of the factory, it was the last one to be sold, as all the vehicles that are currently still in production already had owners long before the inception of the Profilee.
End of an era
The Profilee signals the end of the W16 era of Bugatti following the partnership of the 114-year-old French automaker with the 14-year-old Croatian electric-vehicle builder, Rimac.
The unique Chiron is a less radical version of the extreme Pur Sport revealed in 2020, though it is still very much unlike the standard model.
It is powered by the same 1,103kW, quad-turbocharged, W16 powerplant found in its namesake, though it has 15% shorter transmission ratios than the Chiron Sport.
The Profilee makes light work of the 0-100km/h sprint conquering the milestone in 2.3 seconds with 200km/h surpassed at 5.5 seconds, and a top speed of 380km/h means it’s 30km/h faster than the Pur Sport it takes inspiration from.
The Profilee boasts a unique design featuring a sweeping fixed tail carrying out two crucial functions, ensuring stability and control right up to the top speed by increasing downforce over the rear axles, and using “negative pressure” to suck hot air out of the engine compartment via two tunnels in the high-temperature carbon wing.
This fixture is also where the hypercar got its name from, modeled after one of Bugatti’s first creations – the Type 46 – which also carried an elegant flick in the tail.
Enforcing its one-of-a-kind appearance are wider air inlets at the front and a larger horseshoe grille in comparison to the standard Chiron, on top of a revised front splitter that channels air down sculpted underbody tunnels.
Moreover, an exclusive primary colour of Argent Atlantique was developed specifically for the Profilee, while the lower part of the body is in exposed carbon fibre tinted in Bleu Royal.
The magnesium wheels, too, are distinctive of the special Bugatti, bearing a signature design and finished in a shade of Le Patron created to match the naked carbon, with polished aluminium elements reflecting the hallmark shape of the front end.
The Profilee further becomes the first Chiron with a hand-woven leather interior found on elements such as the dashboard, door panels, and centre console – more than 2,500 meters of leather strips being used to create the complex “air parade” quilting pattern.
It is also equipped with Comfort seats wrapped in Gris Rafale and Deep Blue leather, and a black anodized frame inlay in the center console features the Profilee signature, the final unique touch applied to the special creation.
Bugatti Chiron Profilee
Keyword: Final W16-powered Bugatti becomes most valuable new car ever sold at auction