The $18.9 Million Enigma: 7 Shocking Facts About The Bugatti La Voiture Noire Price And Owner
The Bugatti La Voiture Noire remains the ultimate symbol of automotive exclusivity and staggering wealth in the hypercar world as of December 2025. This one-of-one masterpiece, which translates simply to "The Black Car," commands a price tag that positions it among the most expensive new cars ever sold, a figure that continues to shock enthusiasts and collectors alike. Far more than just a vehicle, the La Voiture Noire is a rolling sculpture, a direct homage to Bugatti’s lost heritage, and a modern testament to the art of coachbuilding.
This article dives deep into the financial and historical significance of this unique machine, exploring the confirmed price, the mystery surrounding its highly secretive owner, its incredible technical specifications, and how it compares to other modern Bugatti legends like the Chiron and Divo. The information presented here is current, reflecting its enduring status in the 2025 hypercar landscape.
The Staggering Price and The Mystery Owner
The financial details of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire are what initially thrust it into the global spotlight. Its cost is not merely a high price; it's a statement of unparalleled exclusivity and bespoke craftsmanship.
What is the Confirmed Bugatti La Voiture Noire Price?
The official, confirmed price of the Bugatti La Voiture Noire stands at a breathtaking figure. At the time of its unveiling and sale, the hypercar was sold for a pre-tax price of €11 million (approximately $12.5 million). However, once local taxes and fees were applied, the final, total price paid by the buyer soared to an estimated €16.7 million, or approximately $18.9 million USD. This monumental figure instantly cemented its place as one of the most expensive new cars ever created, a title it continues to hold years after its debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
- Ex-Tax Price: €11 million / ~$12.5 million
- Final Price (Estimated): €16.7 million / ~$18.9 million
- Production: One-of-one (1/1)
- Status: Delivered to its owner in 2021 after two years of development.
The vehicle’s value is derived from its unique status. It is a one-off (1 of 1) creation, meaning no other car will ever share its exact design or name, making it a truly unrepeatable piece of automotive history.
Who Owns the Bugatti La Voiture Noire? The Ultimate Secret
Perhaps the only thing more famous than the La Voiture Noire's price is the mystery of its owner. Bugatti has maintained a strict code of silence regarding the buyer's identity, a common practice for their most exclusive projects.
Initial speculation suggested the buyer was former Volkswagen Group chairman Ferdinand Piëch, who commissioned the car. However, other prominent figures, including football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, were also rumored to be the owner. To this day, the identity of the person who paid nearly $19 million for the black car remains unconfirmed by Bugatti.
The secrecy surrounding the owner further elevates the car's legendary status, transforming it from a mere purchase into an almost mythical object of desire, accessible only to a select few who value privacy as much as performance.
A Tribute to the Lost Legend: The Type 57 SC Atlantic
The La Voiture Noire is not just a modern hypercar; it is a profound piece of Bugatti heritage. It was conceived as a 21st-century tribute to the legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, specifically the second of four produced, which was personally owned by company founder Jean Bugatti.
This original "Black Car" vanished during World War II and has been lost ever since, giving it the status of the "Holy Grail" of automotive collecting. The La Voiture Noire's design is a modern reinterpretation of the Atlantic's flowing, streamlined body and its iconic dorsal seam, though the new car is mid-engined, unlike its front-engined inspiration.
Unmatched Power and Bespoke Design Specifications
Beneath the handcrafted carbon fiber bodywork lies the mechanical heart shared with Bugatti's most potent modern hypercars, yet tuned and dressed for this unique creation.
The Monstrous W16 Engine and Performance
The La Voiture Noire is powered by the same formidable engine found in the Chiron and Divo: an 8.0-liter Quad-Turbocharged W16 engine. This engineering marvel delivers mind-boggling performance figures that justify its hypercar status:
- Engine: 8.0L Quad-Turbocharged W16
- Horsepower: 1,500 PS (1,479 hp)
- Torque: 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft)
- Transmission: 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
- Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- 0-60 mph: Approximately 2.4 seconds
- Top Speed: Estimated 260 mph (420 km/h)
While the engine's core is familiar, the La Voiture Noire's focus was not purely on setting top speed records like the Chiron Super Sport 300+. Instead, its engineering was dedicated to achieving a perfect blend of high-speed stability and grand touring comfort, wrapped in a unique coachbuilt shell.
Exclusive Design Entities and Features
The true value of the La Voiture Noire lies in its bespoke design, a process of modern coachbuilding perfected at Bugatti's Molsheim facility.
The car’s body is made entirely of visible carbon fiber, finished with a unique clearcoat that Bugatti calls "Black Carbon Glossy." This finish gives the car its deep, obsidian appearance. Distinctive features include a dramatically elongated nose, a single-piece, curved LED taillight strip that wraps around the entire rear, and six exhaust tips—a direct nod to the Type 57 SC Atlantic.
Even the unique alloy wheels and the aggressive styling of the wide horseshoe grille were custom-designed for this single vehicle, ensuring that every angle screams exclusivity and historical reverence.
La Voiture Noire vs. The Bugatti Family (Chiron and Divo)
To understand the La Voiture Noire's place in the modern Bugatti hierarchy, it must be compared to its siblings, the Chiron and the track-focused Divo.
| Model | Price (Approx.) | Production Run | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Voiture Noire | $18.9 Million | 1 of 1 | Heritage, Grand Touring, Exclusivity |
| Chiron | $3 Million | 500 Units | Top Speed, Luxury, All-Round Performance |
| Divo | $5.8 Million | 40 Units | Handling, Downforce, Track Capability |
While the Chiron is the volume model (if 500 units can be called volume) and the Divo is the limited-edition track weapon, the La Voiture Noire stands apart. It is a statement of artistic intent, prioritizing design, historical narrative, and unparalleled rarity over raw performance metrics. Its multi-million dollar premium over the Divo and Chiron is the price paid for owning a piece of history that is fundamentally irreplaceable.
The Legacy: More Than Just a Price Tag
The Bugatti La Voiture Noire has transcended the label of "expensive car." It represents the pinnacle of modern automotive luxury and the art of bespoke creation. Its existence celebrates 110 years of Bugatti's French heritage and showcases the marque's commitment to coachbuilding, a tradition of crafting unique bodies for individual customers.
The vehicle is a physical manifestation of a lost legend, a modern icon that will influence future Bugatti designs. For the anonymous owner, it is a private museum piece, a grand tourer, and a powerful hypercar all rolled into one. For the world, it remains the mysterious black car—a symbol of the highest echelon of wealth and automotive passion—whose price tag is only matched by its exclusivity.
Detail Author:
- Name : Weldon Bartoletti
- Username : wdubuque
- Email : mschinner@hodkiewicz.com
- Birthdate : 1970-04-22
- Address : 718 Leannon Square Suite 763 Port Cathy, CA 51237-4839
- Phone : +1-925-316-8438
- Company : Wintheiser LLC
- Job : Supervisor Correctional Officer
- Bio : Ut unde possimus ea saepe. Eum soluta in nulla ea. Delectus nulla corporis est.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/nkeebler
- username : nkeebler
- bio : Aut ut minima quo qui numquam cumque. Beatae itaque delectus nobis sapiente culpa.
- followers : 6371
- following : 1758
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@nils.keebler
- username : nils.keebler
- bio : Autem officiis sint quo debitis nulla.
- followers : 1112
- following : 138
