Skip to main content

When you see your favorite celebrities driving their expensive Bugatti models, it’s easy to associate the Bugatti name with new, innovative, and beautiful cars. But Bugatti has a long, rich history of automaking that dates back to 1909 in France. These stylish, high-performance rides have been packing serious punches for a century, and the Bugatti reputation is more than just a futuristic-looking sports car. 

Bugatti builds super cars that seem destined for greatness on the track, not just the garages of the rich and famous. Over the decades, the automaker has earned chops with several Type 35 Grand Prix racers and Type 55 sports machines. We’ll sort through them all, from the iconic racing legends to the latest jaw-dropping innovators to feature the top 10 Bugatti car models of all.

What are Bugatti cars and Bugatti models?

Logo for the Bugatti for the top Bugatti car models
Bugatti logo

Bugatti doesn’t design and build a car that doesn’t command respect among collectors and fans alike. Some of the more popular super car variations include the several Bugatti Chiron models, named for the Grand Prix driver responsible for soaring the Bugatti name across the finish line in the 20s and 30s, Louis Chiron. Supercars shares some of the most iconic Chiron cars, including Chiron Sport, Chiron Pur Sport, and Chiron 110 Ans. 

The Bugatti Chiron isn’t the only legend in the Bugatti lineup. Some of the other models that continue to be highly sought after among collectors and enthusiasts include the Bugatti Centodieci and Bugatti Divo. The Centodieci design is reminiscent of the great EB110, making it one of the most iconic in the Bugatti family.

The Bugatti Divo shares some of the Chiron’s best attributes, including its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine and 1,500 hp. Don’t forget about the Bugatti Bolide, either. This lightweight track racer can scream a lap in Nurburgring in 5:23 and Le Mans lap in 3:07. 

Coolest Bugatti in the world

The name Bugatti sends an immediate message of high-performance speed, incredible technology, and boundary-pushing style. These cars are amazing in every way. Some of the coolest demonstrate a unique ability to change how people drive and enjoy super cars. Autoversed weighed in with its roster of the 10 greatest Bugatti models of all time, many of which you’ll likely find to also be the coolest.

The Bugatti Type 13 is one of the coolest because it’s a model that many experts consider to be the first real Bugatti car. It was built between 1910 and 1920 and brought the eight-valve engine with 16-valve heads. And nothing’s cooler than an OG Bugatti.

Another Bugatti legend that demands attention is the Type 13, one of the best racers ever built. It dominated the track in the 1920s with its open-wheel design. Some go so far as saying this is the Bugatti that is the most successful track car in all of automotive history.

The lineup of the coolest Bugattis makes it practically impossible to choose one as the absolute best of all. Well, looking at the Bugatti Royale, for example, you’ll think you’re looking at a Rolls Royce. And this high-profile Bugatti intended to impress the royalty and Hollywood elite of the 1930s but fell short because of the Great Depression. When the dust settled, only six were ever made and only three ever sold, making it a genuine diamond in the rough.

Another Bugatti model you’ll hate to leave off the ultimate list of coolest cars is the comeback car, the Bugatti EB110 SS. The company had hit a lag when Romano Artioli designed this Italian-looking car with strong French roots of Bugatti. Some say the EB110 SS put Bugatti back in contention with the most elite, making it the absolute revival story.

Yes, there are even more Bugatti greats to reminisce about in the next segment. From the Bugatti Veyron to the Veyron Vitesse “Rembrandt Edition,” the La Voiture Noire, and the Veyron 16.4, you’ll find picking the best Bugatti to be much harder than you think. 

What is the best-looking Bugatti?

Since it’s practically impossible to decide which Bugatti model is the coolest or the absolute best, maybe it’s helpful to look at those that most consider to be the best-looking. Of course, Bugatti’s beauty is in the eye of the Bugatti beholder. But The Gentleman’s Journal tried to narrow down the most beautiful in a recent list. Here are a few Bugatti models you’ll seriously look good driving in or riding in if you aren’t quite ready to invest in your own just yet.

There were only two supercharged versions of the Bugatti Type 57 ever produced, one of which belongs in Ralph Lauren’s personal collection. This Bugatti beauty also won the highly prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este designation in 2013, meaning it really was a stunner.

Some of the other top lookers on this list come in the form of racing legends, like the 1933 Bugatti Type 59 and the 1924 Type 35. But others are worthy too, including the Bugatti Royale Type 41, one of the most prominent cars in the world, based on its size. And the most beautiful Bugatti list isn’t complete with the 1951 Type 101, with its sleek lines and soft curves.

There are a few others worth mentioning when it comes to Bugatti cars with impeccable style. The Type 252 makes this particular list, even though it never really took off outside of the prototype phase. It was, however, the last to be produced before the marque rights were sold. And if you’ve never laid eyes on a 1951 Type 101, you’re missing out on classic beauty. Some say none are more stunning, though than the Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse, with its equally impressive designation as the fastest open-top sports car, clocking 254.04 mph.

What is the most famous Bugatti?

Because it’s hard to say which Bugatti is the best, it may also help to share some of those models that are most well-known. To help highlight the most famous Bugatti cars, a recent list shared by HotCars offers a great vantage point of the most iconic vehicles ever introduced.

The Bugatti La Voiture Noire is one of the rarest and most incredible the automaker ever shared. One car exists, sold to an unknown party for $18.7 million, making it the most expensive auction purchase according to Business Insider. And whoever drives it now will certainly enjoy the 8.0-liter W16 engine and 1,479 hp. It can reach a mind-blowing top speed of 260 mph and scream from 0 to 60 in just 2.4-seconds.

The Bugatti Chiron is another legendary model and one that many consider to be the absolute most beautiful ever designed. This two-seater, mid-engine race car doesn’t just hit 261 mph and sell for $2.4 million. It’s also the epitome of luxury throughout, taking on similarities of the Veyron 16.4. It’s easily recognizable in a lineup with its sharper-edged design and aggressive-looking grille.

Among the most iconic in the Bugatti family is the Type 35, the car that outpaced every other Bugatti racing model. Only 96 were produced between 1924 and 1930, with its unusual arched radiator. It was the first to harness a three-valve 2.0-liter overhead cam, straight-six engine. It just happens to also be a Bugatti model that enthusiasts and collectors revere most.

What is the fastest Bugatti in the world?

You don’t just buy a Bugatti because you want the style and prestige that comes with ownership. You likely buy a Bugatti because it’s a performance beast bred with racing pedigrees and heart-stopping power. Car and Driver recently tested one of the quickest Bugatti models the team has ever encountered. This is the Bugatti supercar known most for its prowess as a speed demon.

The Bugatti Chiron Sport is behind Car and Driver’s recent enthusiasm for quickness. It easily ranks among the elite in the 200-mph club. Imagine running the quarter-mile in 9.4-seconds and at a face-numbing 158 mph. That’s 1,479 hp under the hood, rearing to go with the tap of the foot to ignite the 8.0-liter W-16 engine. You’ll pay a lofty price tag for the quickest Bugatti since a base model will cost you more than $3.2 million while the Car and Driver tested version runs closer to $3.7 million.

The Bugatti Chiron Sport may be the quickest in the Bugatti family. But how does it rank in other speed tests against its competition? In the 0 to 60 run, the Chiron Sport clocks a 2.4-second time, slightly slower than the Porsche 918 Spyder with its 2.1-second achievement and the Porsche 911 Turbo S’s time of 2.2 seconds. The Bugatti Chiron Sport ties with times for Tesla’s EV.

In the world of supercars, testers clock more than 0 to 60 times. In the 100 to 160 the Bugatti Chiron Sport achieves a 5.2-second time. In comparison, the BMW 330i xDrive, which is no slouch, needs that 5.2 seconds just to run the 0 to 60 gauntlet. And the Bugatti’s time is still quicker than Honda Civic Type R that takes an extra two-tenths of a second to get up to 100 mph.

What is the rarest Bugatti?

A few of the rarest Bugatti models have already been mentioned. But just how rare is rare? And how much do some of these cars cost if you can manage to find them?

As previously mentioned, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire is the rarest and most original Bugatti of all. With only one in existence, owned by a buyer who dropped the highest amount ever recorded, as Business Insider reported, you won’t likely be able to get your hands on one. 

Money Inc. put together a rarest of the rare Bugatti list, with a handful of iconic models with limited production or innovative new features for the times. The Bugatti Type 50, for example, was capable of achieving a 0 to 60 time of eight seconds, which was revolutionary for the 1930s. And only 55 units were ever built, adding to the rareness of this particular Bugatti.

The Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic is another unicorn that is highly sought after. It was unusual back in 1936, with its unique teardrop-shaped style. It was constructed with aluminum and built with a lowered chassis and smaller radiator. It was the first-ever car to achieve a top speed of 175 mph, making it a great addition to any rare Bugatti collection.

Another brilliant Bugatti family member hails from the early 50s. The Bugatti Type 101 C Antem Coupe represents only one of eight ever built. It was the first production after World War II ended, bringing back the luxurious roadster style in a big way. It was rear-wheel-drive and came with a 3.3-liter straight-eight and five-speed transmission.

There is no question; Bugatti makes incredible cars. Some are super-fast, others are amazingly beautiful, and all are considered collection-worthy. If you’re in the car-buying mood, ready to spend a few million, see if you can find one of the Bugatti models. You won’t be disappointed.

Performance excellence never looked so good as with these iconic and beautiful Bugatti variations. But stay tuned for the final installation in this Bugatti best-of series, where some of the fastest and rarest models come into focus. You’ll find a few gems in the lists to come. Even then, you might struggle to settle on which Bugatti super car is the absolute greatest.