Galibier: Bugatti drops its 16-cylinder bomb

Molsheim, home of Bugatti, saw the unveiling of the 16 C Galibier concept in celebratory fashion for a select few. The French-based, German-owned marque has stuck its neck out in its centenary year with this commemorative four-door concept, which is bound to fuel controversy.

Take a trip down memory lane to, say, 1909 when the Milan-born Ettore Bugatti founded his company in what was then Germany (now France). Within ten years of production, Bugatti became a big player in the motorsport world boasting wins in Grand Prix racing and two wins at Le Mans with the Type 57.

Join us back in the present day, and meet the Galibier, which takes its name from the Type 57 four-door and Tour de France's most difficult Alpine pass. So yet another marque that fishes through the history books for inspiration. And that's not the only yesteryear muse either, as the designers have taken cues from the much older Type 35 too.

Dubbed the 16 C due to the number of cylinders the 8.0-litre, two-stage supercharged engine houses, it's a beauty right from the get-go. The gaping signature grille, joined on either side by twin air vents, sits between round LED headlights, decked out in chrome trim. The tail end is reminiscent of pre-war Bugs with a spine running along the centre of the car, minus the rivets of the old cars.

Eight tail pipes poke out from the underbelly in quad clusters, so no matter which way you look it, you'll keep looking at it.

And there are also ceramic brakes, a new suspension design and all-wheel-drive to ensure a swift getaway from the paparazzi.

Inside, the superior experience continues with a wood covered dash and transmission tunnel and just a few polished metal details, plus two round dials in the centre.

Besides a large LCD screen below, the cabin is minimalist to the extreme. No abundance of knobs and switches here, which aids the feeling of sheer class and elegance. The most eccentric part of the interior has to be the Swiss-made Parmigiani timepiece with a highly-complicated tourbillon movement located on the tunnel console, said to be worth a whopping Dh367,000. It can be removed and worn thanks to an accompanying strap, so everyone you shake hands with will know you own a 16 C Galibier. That's one way to drop jaws in the board room. Bugatti insists the car is only a concept, despite already showing it to prospective buyers.

When asked about the Galibier's competition, Bugatti simply mentioned the possible price of Dh6.5m. Right. No rivals then.