Walter De'Silva's 'Secret' 1999 Bugatti Concept

[HighestOfHigh]

Walter de'Silva is a powerhouse of modern automotive design. With cars like the Audi R8, TT and A5 among the many to his credit, his exteriors have a way of capturing the mind as well as the eye. But it wasn't always thus.

In 1999, when Volkswagen was just beginning the revival of Bugatti, then-head of Volkswagen Design Hartmut Warkuss asked de'Silva, then at Seat, to pen a preview of a Bugatti hypercar. De'Silva delivered what you see here.

While it does bear some resemblance to the final Veyron, there's enough different to mark it out as its own entity. The aggressive wrap-around side scoops/roof layout and low, pointed roof brow put an odd hairline on an odd-faced vehicle. Fortunately for enthusiasts and aesthetes everywhere, the design made it no farther than the full-scale mockup stage. It was Warkuss' design that was eventually picked to become the Veyron.

His failure to win the Bugatti design challenge doesn't seem to have hurt his career, however, as he's now in the position that Warkuss held ten years ago: head of VW Group design.

For more on the real Bugatti Veyron, check out our review of the Grand Sport, or for a look at what might be the next thing out of Bugatti, take a look at the Galibier 16C.

- Walter De'Silva's 'Secret' 1999 Bugatti Concept - MotorAuthority

 

[Habitual Speeder]

While I like the Veyron, I prefer this version.

I'd like to see other angles (if they exist somewhere).

 

[Giannis]

 

[Mr Robert]

I did not think it was possible to build a car uglier than the Veyron...

 

[Cashmere]

daring design by Dasilva, but I rather like the current design of the BV.

 

[LaArtist]

Looks like a sculptured potato..

 

[NarutoRamen]

Some impressive elements. Overall though, it's pretty damn ugly.

 

[Centurion]

I bet the first design proposal was carved out of a bar of soap.



Someone please pass my a puke bag. These are photos which should not have surfaced.

 

[Shining Star]

There is something horribly wrong with the front of this car. De Silva looks quite smug in the photo with him next to the concept; I can't imagine why.

 

[Centurion]

De Silva looks quite smug in the photo with him next to the concept; I can't imagine why.

Because he's in love with his own ego. This applies to all the top dogs at VAG. They are addicted to achievements, size and power. Who can blame them, they are the rulers of Germany.

 

[Mr Robert]

I bet the first design proposal was carved out of a bar of soap.

No need to carve...

 

[Deleted member 25]

Sure it looks like a car straight from a comic book but non the less the car has some elements that are much stronger, both style and design wise than the current Veyron.

 

[bmer]

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