Bugatti’s Destrier draws inspiration from medieval knights

Bugatti has revealed its latest one-of-one commission – the Destrier.

Created by the brand’s Programme Solitaire – which produces some of the brand’s high-end one-offs – the Destrier follows on from recent FKP Hommage and Brouillard commissions.

Named after the ‘finest and strongest type of medieval knight’s horse’, the Destrier not only draws its inspiration from history but also models within Bugatti’s backstory, including the Type 57 chassis which underpinned cars like the Type 57SC Atlantic, which is widely referred to as ‘the most beautiful car ever built’.

Underneath, the Destrier is based on the same platform as the high-performance Bolide, which means it gets an 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine with 1,578bhp. It’s all sitting within a carbon monocoque, and its dimensions make it the shortest Bugatti yet at just a metre tall.

From the side, the Destrier’s staggered wheels aim to give it the look of a horse, while the famous Bugatti horseshoe grille at the front is wider than the one on the Bolide for an even more imposing look. The oil filler cap is also engraved with the Destrier emblem and a ‘1/1’ designation to show its exclusivity.

The exterior paint – called ‘Sapphire Celeste’ – is multi-layered and has been created exclusively for this model. It also features a diamond-inspired sparkle within the paint itself.

Inside, there’s a blend of leather, Nubuck and a 3D knitted textile, with that final fabric drawing on techniques used in performance sportswear.

Bugatti hasn’t released a price for the Destrier, but it’s likely to exceed the £3.5 million price tag which accompanied the original Bolide.