Bugatti Centodieci: A Tribute to the Legendary EB110

Bugatti Centodieci

In the world of hypercars, Bugatti represents unmatched accomplishment, the pinnacle of technological innovation, and beautiful beauty. One of their rarest masterpieces is the Bugatti Centodieci hyper-limited edition. It pays tribute to one of Bugatti’s most underappreciated icons, the EB110.

With only ten units produced, the Centodieci is not merely a car; it is a sophisticated resurrection of Bugatti’s audacious 1990s endeavor, a tribute to the bold innovation of the EB110, and a nostalgic salute to the lineage that rekindled the Bugatti fire. This article explores the intricate ways in which the Centodieci pays tribute to, reinvents, and redefines the legacy of the EB110.

The EB110: A Brief Look Back

To appreciate the Centodieci, there is a need to examine the inspiration. The Bugatti EB110 was launched in 1991 under the supervision of Italian businessman Romano Artioli, who brought the dormant Bugatti name back to life.

Highlights of the EB110

Boasting active aerodynamics, a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, and four turbochargers, the EB110 stands out for its performance and for being ahead of its time. Tragically, only a few hundred were manufactured before Bugatti Automobili S.p.A. went under in 1995 due to financial difficulties.

Centodieci: A Modern-Day Revival

However, in 2020, Bugatti revealed the Centodieci (Italian for ‘110’) to celebrate the company’s 110th anniversary. Yet, this is more than just a commemorative model, it serves as a reinterpretation of the EB110.

Design: Echoes of the Past, Lines of the Future

The Centodieci’s design retains the core elements of the EB110’s aesthetic whilst incorporating modern hypercar features. Both the traditional Bugatti horseshoe grille and the iconic dorsal air intakes receive a marked reinterpretation.

They are now smaller and placed lower on the fascia. Other design elements that pay homage to the EB110 SS include the angular wedge body, five circular air intakes set within a diamond pattern, and a fixed rear wing.

Comparison Table: EB110 vs. Centodieci Design

The Centodieci’s floating C-pillar improves basic aerodynamics and cooling while paying suave tribute to Bugatti history, hinting at the aeronautical elegance of flagships like the Type 57 SC Atlantic. Every inch of its design is crafted to evoke nostalgia fused with innovation.

Power and Performance: From Classic Roar to Hypercar Surge

Unlike its predecessor that housed a roaring V12, the Centodieci harbors the famous 8.0L W16 quad-turbocharged engine of Bugatti. It reaches an astounding 1,578 horsepower, 77 more than the Chiron, and delivers blistering acceleration.

Performance Metrics

The Centodieci is over 20 kg lighter than the Chiron due to the use of fixed rear wings, lightweight wipers, and thinner LED lighting units.

This engineering marvel not only pays homage to the past but also set performance records even by today’s standards.

Exclusive by Intent: Only 10 in the World

One of the most unique features of the Centodieci is the marked scarcity. Only 10 units were made and each was handcrafted and personalized to unparalleled detail.

Unlike the more mass-produced hypercars, the Centodieci was designed from the start to be an heirloom of automotive… royalty. Every single owner was handpicked and thoroughly vetted, which ensured that the vehicle would continue being a crown jewel in some elite collection.

Interior: Minimalistic Yet Modern

Contrary to the over-the-top retro outer body, the Centodieci’s interior keeps most of the Chiron’s supremely refined cabin experience. The lavish cockpit features leather, Alcantara carbon fiber, and exposed elements such as exquisite stitching. Nevertheless, distinctive Centodieci branding and contrasting Centodieci stitching highlight its distinct identity.

Despite the interior being relatively similar to the Chiron’s, the Centodieci adds bespoke craftsmanship and subtle details to remind occupants of its historic roots.

Aerodynamics and Cooling: Performance Meets Precision

Aerodynamics were at the heart of the EB110’s performance, and the Centodieci continues this legacy. The ventilation system and airflow have been completely redesigned.

• Five round air inserts on the side enhance engine cooling
• The rear diffuser and massive exhaust ports optimize downforce
• An air curtain system helps guide air along the sides for drag reduction

The changes made are not superficial, as they achieve better thermal efficiency and handling at high speeds.

Soundtrack of Power: The Roar of the W16

The Centodieci’s W16 deep rumble also complimented the rough, unsophisticated roar of the EB110’s V12 as it kicked out a more refined growl beneath four working turbochargers.

As I stated before, we aim to enhance the experience of driving a vehicle by layering contemporary and retro sounds in a unified design on purpose.

Legacy Connection: Why the Centodieci Matters

The Centodieci is a collector’s piece that goes beyond its monetary worth. It represents something more, an awakening if you will, that blends the legacy of Bugatti with modern features. The EB110 served as a brand revival testament in the ’90s, but the Centodieci offers unmatched power and elegance during the celebration of performance.

For Bugatti aficionados and historians, the connection is as much mechanical as it is emotional. The Centodieci serves as a physical testament to the gap between two generations of automotive enthusiasts and purists.

Global Attention: A Star at Every Stage

The release of the Centodieci attracted the attention of media outlets from around the world. Every part of the world celebrated what they regarded as the birth of a legend, beginning with the design sketches all the way to its Goodwood showings and deliveries in 2022.

This is the timeline of its global journey:

Collectors, auction houses, and hypercar enthusiasts alike have labeled it a modern-day unicorn.

Key Differences Between Centodieci and Chiron

While based on the Chiron platform, the Centodieci makes significant deviations:

These differences underline that the Centodieci isn’t just a cosmetic rework — it’s a thoroughly reimagined machine, both in spirit and execution.

A Hypercar for the History Books

In an automobile industry flooded with fast-speed machines, few cars come close to reflexively making one stop and think about history. The Bugatti Centodieci does exactly that. It does not only exist to break records on the racetracks or to showcase mind-numbing figures, but rather, “It exists to celebrate a legacy that might have otherwise been forgotten 02.

The car embodies the vision of the EB110, the audacity of Bugatti’s rebirth, and the sophistication of marriage with 21st-century engineering. This is not only a car; rather, it’s a monument on wheels (01).

Final Thoughts

Last but not least, like all Bugattis, it’s full of the utmost technology, which highly illustrates the statement that describes the workman-made masterpiece and how it is in a world of its own. Not only is it powerful and fast like every other supercar, but this specifically limited series is manufactured for collection purposes, which adds another layer to the reason why it’s one of 10, further branding this machine as a personal testimony of a vehicle that drove Bugatti back from the brink.

Think of it as a piece of art of a technological cathedral that so brazenly attempts to reimagine history while pushing current barriers or, rather, hedging the deepest marks of automotive ingenuity. One way or another, the Centodieci proved its greatness. No matter how you look at this, it did cement itself on the triumph of vehicles.