In a world where hypercars have become almost as common as Volkswagen Golfs in the village car park, Bugatti is once again reminding us who the real king is. The new FKP Hommage is more than just a car; it's a love letter to the engineering genius that changed the world 20 years ago, and proof that the past and the future can run hand in hand – at 400 km/h.
If you thought it was Bugatti just a brand for those who don't know where to spend their money, you're wrong. Well, you're partly right, but Bugatti is primarily an engineering cathedral of speed. And the latest creation to come out of their ultra-exclusive 'Programme Solitaire' is Bugatti FKP Hommage. This is a car you'll probably never see in person unless you hang out with people who own their own islands. It's the second unique product in this program (right after the Brouillard) and, let's face it, it looks spectacular. Why? Because it's a tribute to the original Veyron and the man who, with his steely will, demanded that this car even exist - Professor Dr. Ferdinand Karl Piëch.
Heart of the Beast: W16 in its most powerful form
There's no old tech hiding under that retro-futuristic skin. No, that would be too simple. The FKP Hommage is based on the chassis of the Chiron Super Sport. That means it's powered by that monster 8.0-liter W16 engine with four turbochargers.
The numbers are absurd, to say the least. The engine produces incredible 1,177 kW (1,578 hp) of power. That's almost it 600 more horses, as the original Veyron had when it shocked the world two decades ago. Engineers have used larger turbochargers, improved cooling and a reinforced transmission to ensure that this ferocious power can be transferred to the road without the transmission falling apart. Although official acceleration figures for this specific model have not been made public, given its relationship to the Super Sport, we can assume that it can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 2.5 seconds, and its top speed is certainly in excess of 440 km/h (273 mph). This is not a car, this is a teleportation device.
Design: When nostalgia meets aerodynamics
The most fascinating part of this car is how the designers managed to transfer the rounded, almost organic lines of the original Veyron to the more aggressive architecture of the Chiron. The FKP Hommage has a completely new bodywork ('bespoke bodywork'). Despite modern elements such as slim LED headlights, which are necessary to keep the car from looking like an antique, the silhouette is unmistakably Veyron.
The color combination is pure classic.. It’s the two-tone exterior that was the hallmark of the original. But there’s no “Bauhaus” paint here. The base is silver aluminum covered in a red-tinted clear coat, while the black parts aren’t paint, but colored exposed carbon fiber. It’s the kind of detail that makes car enthusiasts’ eyes water. The car sits on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear, ensuring that every bump in the road would be a sensory experience, were it not for the suspension being a technological marvel.
“FKP Hommage is not just a remake; it is a reinterpretation of an icon through the prism of modern technology.”
Interior: Where time literally stands still
If the exterior screams speed, the interior whispers prestige. Bugatti has done something we rarely see here – they’ve gone back. The steering wheel is unique, circular, modeled after the one on the original Veyron, which is a nice departure from modern, cut-down steering wheels that resemble game consoles.
The center console is made from a single piece of solid aluminum. No plastic, no fakes. It's cool, hard, and timeless. But the real gem (literally) is hidden on the dashboard. Instead of a classic clock or digital display, there's a 41mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon. Yes, you have a watch in your car that probably costs more than your parents' house. It's a detail that says everything about this car's target audience.
The legacy of Ferdinand Piëch
Label Bugatti FKP Hommage is no coincidence. Ferdinand Karl Piëch was a visionary, often described as a mad genius who wouldn't take "no" for an answer. When he demanded a car with 1,000 horsepower (736 kW), all-wheel drive and a top speed of over 400 km/h (248 mph) 20 years ago, engineers told him it was impossible. The Veyron proved them wrong. This new model is a tribute to that tenacity. Without Piëch, we wouldn't have the "hypercar" segment today.
Conclusion: The Bugatti FKP Hommage is injust like a car
Bugatti FKP Hommage is proof that Bugatti, with its Programme Solitaire division (which will produce only two cars per year), is entering the realm of high art. This is no longer motoring in the classic sense; this is collecting at the highest level. Although the price is not officially known, we can say with certainty that it is in the range of several million euros - probably well over 10 million.
Do we need it? Absolutely not. Is the world a better place because it exists? Absolutely. In an age when cars are turning into silent electric devices, this 16-cylinder mechanical brute, drinking gasoline and roaring like a dragon, is a refreshing reminder of what human engineering can do when stripped of the constraints of rationality. Is it a cynical display of wealth? Perhaps. But it's also wonderful. Ferdinand Piëch would be proud.
