Bugatti has redefined automotive artistry with the Divo, a hyper sports car that resurrects the revered tradition of coachbuilding. This limited-edition marvel is not merely a vehicle; it’s an exclusive statement, meticulously engineered for enhanced lateral acceleration, unparalleled agility, and superior cornering prowess. For the discerning Bugatti aficionado, the Divo is an indispensable addition to any hyper sports car collection. Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti, proudly proclaims, “With the new design of the Divo and its completely different handling performance, we have succeeded in creating a true masterpiece of automotive craftsmanship that fully revives our long-standing tradition of coachbuilding.” Exclusivity is paramount, with Bugatti set to produce only 40 Divos, each carrying a net unit price of 5 million euros.
The journey to bring the Divo to fruition was an intensive development process spanning nearly two years. Pierre Rommelfanger, project manager for limited edition models at Bugatti, explains the genesis of the Divo: “At the beginning of 2018, our aim was to develop a particularly sporty vehicle as the first project under the leadership of new Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. We had lengthy discussions – and above all we listened to our customers. Some of them were longing for an agile and corner-hungry car. That’s definitely what the Divo has turned out to be.” A dedicated team of experts embarked on this ambitious project, setting a clear objective: to create a vehicle distinctly different from the Chiron, one that was even more exclusive and engineered for heightened sportiness and cornering agility, without compromising the brand’s signature comfort and dominance. This was no small feat.
Within months, an initial design model took shape and was presented to Chiron owners in Molsheim, France. These exclusive previews were accompanied by detailed one-on-one discussions. “Every Divo customer owns a Chiron, knows what the brand stands for and is a true Bugatti enthusiast. Our customers instantly understood the sporty approach of the Divo and supported our project,” Stephan Winkelmann recounts. The response was overwhelming; all 40 planned Bugatti Divo cars were immediately spoken for. “This is a great confirmation for the Bugatti team, who have developed this outstanding vehicle with a huge amount of heart and soul.”
Chassis Dynamics: Precision Engineering for Unrivaled Agility
Beneath its sculpted exterior, the Bugatti Divo houses remarkable technology. It’s propelled by the formidable 1,500 PS 8.0-liter W16 engine, generating 1,600 newton meters of torque, enabling the Divo to surge from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.4 seconds. However, achieving this level of performance, particularly in terms of handling, presented significant challenges to the engineering team. After extensive computer simulations, the first prototype embarked on its initial test kilometers roughly a year after the project’s inception. The simulations provided engineers with precise axle load data, crucial for designing the chassis setup, including selecting the optimal spring rate. Subsequently, parameters for damper control were meticulously fine-tuned in conjunction with wheel camber adjustments and a recalibrated steering system.
To perfect the Divo’s chassis, engineers subjected it to rigorous testing across diverse environments, from winding roads to demanding race tracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife. For chassis development alone, they accumulated over 5,000 arduous kilometers of testing across the entire speed spectrum, up to 380 km/h, utilizing the three driving modes: “EB”, “Motorway”, and “Handling”. Each test run involved iterative adjustments and refinements until all parameters harmonized flawlessly, maximizing the Divo’s agility. Lars Fischer, Head of Chassis Testing and Application at Bugatti, elaborates, “Trials are always intense, but with the Divo we’ve managed to refine the setup even further. Every change – no matter how small – was discussed in a small team and then followed up on for checking purposes. Only when all the developers were satisfied did we go about tackling the next task.”
This heightened agility was achieved through a combination of weight reduction, increased downforce, and a more direct chassis setup. Key modifications included adjustments to wheel camber on both axles, stiffer springs, and a more front-biased balance. Consequently, the Bugatti Divo’s top speed is electronically limited to 380 km/h. These measures significantly enhance agility, particularly the vehicle’s responsiveness to steering inputs. Furthermore, the Divo boasts a 35-kilogram weight reduction compared to the Chiron, thanks to meticulous lightweight construction techniques.
Engineers strategically leveraged this weight reduction to amplify downforce, pushing the limits of the tires’ load capacity. This resulted in an additional 90 kilograms of downforce for the Divo, culminating in 456 kilograms at 380 km/h. The outcome is demonstrably higher cornering speeds. In total, the Bugatti Divo’s lateral acceleration is elevated to an impressive 1.6 g. As a testament to its enhanced handling, the Divo completes the handling circuit at the Nardò testing ground in southern Italy a remarkable eight seconds faster than the Chiron – a truly unprecedented achievement. “The Divo is entirely different to drive than the Chiron, even though both are fitted with the powerful W16 engine. This is particularly evident when driving on roads with plenty of bends. With even more precise steering and greater downforce, the Divo drives through corners even faster and more predictably,” explains Lars Fischer. Despite its hyper sports car designation, the Divo retains a degree of everyday usability.
Aerodynamic Mastery: Sculpting the Air for Peak Performance
Bugatti dedicated significant effort to refining the aerodynamic properties of the Bugatti Divo. The bonnet now features air inlets that effectively reduce the vehicle’s frontal area and optimize airflow. An enhanced air curtain system improves air ducting along the vehicle’s sides, both at the front and rear. Concurrently, the redesigned front spoiler increases downforce and channels more air towards the front air intakes. This augmentation of airflow to the cooling system enhances overall cooling capacity. Brake cooling is managed by four independent air sources on each side of the vehicle. Air is sourced from the high-pressure zone above the front bumper, intakes on the front wings, the front radiator intake, and diffusers positioned ahead of the tires. Blades guide cool air onto the brake discs, while a heat shield directs hot air away, directly through the wheels. This sophisticated system maintains optimal tire temperatures and prevents brake overheating.
Even the roof design was optimized. In conjunction with the modified rear end, it facilitates a high volume of airflow into the engine compartment, crucial for effective temperature management. These aerodynamic refinements also minimize air swirl and turbulence around the rear wing. The fixed-height rear wing, measuring 1.83 meters (72 inches) wide, generates substantial downforce. It is 23 percent wider than the Chiron’s rear wing, yet retains adjustability for different driving modes and continues to function as an air brake. The rear diffuser, with its more efficient design, complements the wing and integrates the four exhaust pipes.
Design Philosophy: A Visual Statement of Agility and Exclusivity
The Bugatti Divo’s design language marks a new chapter, clearly differentiated from the Chiron while remaining instantly recognizable as a Bugatti. Achim Anscheidt’s design team prioritized lateral acceleration in shaping the Divo’s body, focusing on achieving optimal aerodynamic and thermodynamic efficiency. Key design features include a more slender side profile and additional air intakes for enhanced brake cooling. The exceptionally compact and lightweight LED headlights, with a flat light aperture of just 35 millimeters (1 3/8 inches), are particularly striking, as are the intricate 3D tail light modules. These tail lights are integrated into the rear grille, which is partially constructed using a 3D printing process and incorporates specialized lightweight fins. A total of 44 of these fins illuminate to form the distinctive tail light signature. Inside the cabin, newly designed sports seats with elevated side bolsters provide enhanced support, securely holding occupants during high-speed cornering. The steering wheel is partially trimmed in Alcantara and features enlarged, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles on both sides, enabling manual gear changes for an even more engaging driving experience.
Reviving Coachbuilding: A Tradition of Bespoke Automotive Art
With the Divo, Bugatti proudly revives its illustrious coachbuilding heritage. The term “coachbuilding,” akin to haute couture in the fashion world, signifies the creation of unique, individually tailored vehicles that reflect personal tastes. “The Divo perfectly embodies these values,” states Stephan Winkelmann. This tradition, deeply rooted yet nearly forgotten, dates back almost 100 years when Bugatti offered discerning customers exceptional customization options. Coachbuilding, the art of transforming exclusive vehicles into even more singular expressions, allowed customers to acquire a chassis and commission a bespoke body from independent coachbuilders or Bugatti’s own in-house division. Renowned coachbuilding firms such as Gangloff, Weymann, and Weinberger crafted exclusive bodies for Bugatti chassis, as did Bugatti itself. Customers of the celebrated Bugatti Type 57 could order diverse body styles, including Stelvio, Aravis, Galibier, Ventoux, and Atalante, directly from the factory. Bugatti’s most iconic coachbuilding creation remains, without question, the Type 57 SC Atlantic.
Albert Divo: An Enduring Legacy of Speed and Agility
The name Divo resonates powerfully, much like the car itself. It is a fitting tribute to Albert Divo, a French pilot and racing driver who served as a works driver for Bugatti. Albert Divo achieved notable victories, including winning the Targa Florio in Sicily in both 1928 and 1929 – a race renowned for its demanding, winding course. The legendary Targa Florio, an annual mountain road race in Sicily held until 1977, was among the most grueling endurance races of its era. Bugatti dominated the race, securing five consecutive victories with the Type 35 – a vehicle celebrated for its agility and exceptional sportiness, mirroring the spirit embodied by the modern Bugatti Divo.
