The era of the Bugatti Chiron and its quad-turbocharged W16 engine is coming to an end. However, this is not the end for Bugatti, as a new flagship hypercar is already in development. We had heard it would debut in 2024, but now it’s been confirmed in writing from Bugatti. The next-generation model will also mark the end of a design era with the retirement of Achim Anscheidt, Bugatti’s director of design since 2004.
Bugatti announced Anscheidt’s retirement in a press release today, honoring the man who oversees special edition Veyrons such as the Super Sport, Grand Sport Vitesse, and Hermès, among others. He also masterminded the Bugatti concepts that did not enter production, most notably the four-door, four-seater Galibier. Of course, there’s also the Chiron and a plethora of coachbuilt models that use its bones as a foundation – the Centodieci, Bolide, Divo, Mistral and the quirky La Voiture Noire. It’s quite a legacy.
While Anscheidt retires, his legacy will continue with Chiron’s successor. According to Bugatti, it has been in development for the past few years and will be revealed in 2024. The announcement also confirms what we’ve heard before about electrification, even if it’s not a pure EV. The next Bugatti will use a hybrid powertrain; whether that includes a new iteration of the iconic W16 engine remains to be seen. There’s definitely a lot of electric horsepower potential with the next Bugatti, given the company’s merger with Rimac in 2021. If all goes to plan, it should enter production in 2026.
With Anscheidt’s retirement, Frank Heyl stepped up from his deputy role to lead the Bugatti design team. Joining the company in 2008, he worked on the Veyron Super Sport, Chiron, and Divo but has also spent time on the company’s Vision Gran Turismo offerings.
“The Veyron, Chiron, and successors to the Chiron share this one thing,” said Anscheidt. “They are not road race cars, they are the pinnacle of Grand Tourisme’s development, they are an exciting blend of the Type 35 agility, the luxury of the Type 41 Royale and the unparalleled elegance of the Type 57 SC Atlantic.”
Even if Anscheidt steps down, he will remain connected to the company as an adviser to Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac.
