Two Bugatti Supersports headline RM Sotheby’s auction in London

Do you find a business degree too ordinary? And do you have a few million euros burning a hole in your pocket? If you answered yes to both questions, you are in luck, because the RM Sotheby’s auction, scheduled for November 5th in London, offers you an alternative way to travel across continents: two of the fastest and rarest Bugattis of the modern era. They only built 30 each of the Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport and Chiron Super Sport 300+ in Molsheim, so it’s very hard to get them. When we saw that both were listed in the auction catalog, we knew we had to investigate further.

Let’s start with the old guard, shall we? This amazing example from the ’90s is a Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport from 1996. Its history dates back to the late 1980s when Italian businessman and Ferrari dealer Romano Artioli began making plans to revive the iconic brand. Given that Bugatti had not been active since 1952, something really amazing had to be done. To push the brand into the modern age and prove that the DNA of the grand prize winner and builder of legendary models like Royale or 57 SC Atlantic was still very much alive.

In October 1987, Artioli founded Bugatti Automobili SpA and the following year built a completely new factory in Campogalliano near Modena, the “Blue Factory”. He soon brought Paolo Stanzani and Marcello Gandini on board – and soon split from him after disagreements in favor of new coach Nicola Materazzi. Together with Artioli’s cousin Giampaolo Benedini, also the architect of the work, he revised Gandini’s design, which Artioli rejected. In the final design, the new Bugatti was presented to the world audience on September 15, 1991 in front of the Grand Arch de la Défense in Paris with actor Alain Delon as host. Exactly on the 110th birthday of legendary company founder Ettore Bugatti, hence the “EB” in the genre designation.

The 3.5-liter V12, powered by four turbochargers, sent out 560 horsepower to all four wheels. The Italian/French newcomer was built just a short drive from Maranello, which immediately put Ferrari and Lamborghini under pressure. However, Artioli was not satisfied with being just a competitor to supercar builders. He wanted to place his model in a completely different stratosphere.

To do this, he lit the second stage of the rocket from the EB 110 at the 1992 Geneva Motor Show: the EB 110 SS (Super Sport). Thanks to an increased boost pressure from 1.05 to 1.2 bar, a new engine control unit, larger intake valves and a more free-flowing exhaust system, the V12 now generates 611 horsepower at 8250 rpm. This achievement was a strong statement in the early ’90s, but Bugatti didn’t stop there. By putting the EB 110 Super Sport on a strict diet, the engineers were able to reduce the curb weight by 150 kg. The result: a roadworthy rocket, accelerating from 0 to 100 km / h in just 3.3 seconds, reaching a breathtaking top speed of almost 350 km / h. Unfortunately, the global economic recession, successful attempts to bribe suppliers who no longer supply Bugatti, and smear campaigns directed by competitors have shattered Artiolis’ dreams. Before filing for bankruptcy in 1995, they only assembled 139 EB 110s at Campogalliano—31 Super Sports models, 95 GTs and 13 prototypes. Among the notable clients was Michael Schumacher. The Bugatti legacy was suspended until 1998 before the legendary brand was taken over by the Volkswagen Group.

The Bugatti EB 110 Super Sport you see here is one of only two examples in the Bianco Monaco colorway. Inside, immerse yourself in a sea of ​​dark blue leather with blue seat belts, a far cry from the spartan interior of the Ferrari F40. This example was first recorded in 1996 and was likely delivered new to Monaco, where it remained until March 2012, when the current owner acquired it and added it to the British Gran Turismo range. At just 15,000 miles on the clock, the EB 110 Super Sport is remarkably new for its era and would make an exceptional pairing with our next topic.

Fast forward to 2019. At this point, Bugatti has been building the Chiron for three years. It’s time for its own Super Sport version. Then the Volkswagen subsidiary announced it in September of that year with great fanfare: With Bugatti test driver and former Le Mans winner Andy Wallace at the wheel, the pre-series model for the upcoming top class was the first to break at VW. The test site is on Ehra-Lessien Street, the legal car breaks the 300 mph barrier. Exactly 304.773 mph was measured, which equates to 490,379 km/h. This lays the foundation for the Chiron Super Sport 300+, of which 30 copies were built shortly after the successful registration attempt.

The Super Sport 300+ is fundamentally different from the regular Chiron. It stands out at the front with a modified bumper with specially designed “air curtains” in the corners. They reduce air pressure at high speeds and allow the airflow to glide perfectly along the sides of the vehicle. The outlets on the wheel housings also help reduce air resistance visually.” Chiron Super Sport 300+ is distinguished above all by its long tail. It extends the model by 25 cm and effectively reduces the clearance area behind the car. Michelin tires from the Can Super Sport 300+ Handling a top speed of 500 km/h, the Bugatti electronically locks the road version to 440 km/h.

The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is carried into such fields by what may be the most powerful combustion engine the world has ever seen. Behind the driver’s seat is a massive 8.0-liter W16 with four turbochargers, developed from the first designed unit of the predecessor Veyron. However, while the Veyron produced only 1,000 hp (and 1,200 hp as a Super Sport), the Chiron Super Sport 300+ makes 1,600 hp. Customers can order 300+ in any color as long as they choose the carbon fiber visible with Jet Orange race stripes. If the car looks that risky, we won’t complain about the lack of customization options.

subordinate Chiron Super Sport 300+ as of January 2022, which you can see here, found its way into the Gran Turismo range right after delivery by London Bugatti representative HR Owen. At the time the auction catalog was published, it covered only 2,310 kilometers. The engine has just been started and is now ready to use all its muscle with the help of Bugatti’s legendary “speed switch”. Of course, you need a damn long and closed straight for this. And while they do, they may add an EB 110 Super Sport. If you just want to acknowledge how far Bugatti has come in 30 short years. If you have an insatiable need for speed and a very healthy bank balance, your ultra-fast double garage is already waiting for you…