Bugatti Mulls Electric Limo

Volkswagen AG’s Bugatti supercar unit may add an all-electric model in 2023 that revives the marque’s “Royale” nameplate, Car reports.

All-out speed machines such as the 250-mph Chiron won’t be Bugatti’s primary focus in the future, CEO Stephan Winkelmann tells Car. Instead, he says, there will be greater emphasis on overall driving dynamic, lightweight and “sustainable” luxury.

Car says the plan could include an electric limousine built on a stretched version of VW Group’s J1 EV platform. The base architecture also will carry the upcoming Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT sedans.

The Bugatti variant will be powered by three electric motors that generate a combined 870 hp, according to the report. The vehicle’s lead time could enable a variety of high-end features, including a lightweight carbon fiber construction, Level 4 autonomous driving capability with HD mapping, customizable interiors, a digital assistant/concierge service and more efficient next-generation solid state batteries.

Pricing is expected to start at about €700,000 ($795,000). This would qualify as bargain pricing by Bugatti’s standards: the base Chiron goes for about $3 million.

The original Royale (also known as the Type 41) cost about $30,000. Measuring 252 inches and weighing about 7,000 lbs, the car is one of the largest in history. Bugatti produced only seven of the behemoth cars, which were powered by a 12.7-liter engine, from 1927 to 1933.