The Nationales Automuseum reveals alternate Bugatti Chiron designs, showcasing radical concepts that could have changed the hypercar’s iconic look forever.
The new Bugatti Tourbillon compels us to look back at the Bugatti Chiron and consider how different its design could have been. The Nationales Automuseum Loh Collection in Germany is hosting a special seminar showcasing Bugatti’s history, including previously unreleased archive materials and images, some of which have now surfaced online. Among these treasures are alternate design proposals for the Bugatti Chiron, the successor to the Veyron, which began development soon after the Veyron’s production.
The Chiron was designed to build upon the Veyron’s legacy, featuring the same quad-turbocharged W-16 engine in a mid-engine, two-door layout, and generating more than 1,400 horsepower—sometimes more, depending on the variant. The design mockups now shared reveal what the Chiron could have looked like, with some concepts appearing far more dramatic, and perhaps less visually appealing, than the final version we know today.
What eventually emerged was a refined, evolutionary design with familiar features—horizontal headlights, a simplified grille, and a clean silhouette resembling the Veyron. However, this was just one of many possibilities. Some of these earlier design studies show much bolder ideas, with exaggerated curves and aggressive front ends, while others took a minimalistic approach with oversized lighting elements.
Interestingly, the now-iconic C-shaped door frame wasn’t always part of the plan, as seen in the diverse mockups. Observing these concepts, it seems the final Chiron may have combined different design elements: perhaps the nose from one proposal and the rear from another. The end result was a well-balanced hypercar, blending performance with elegance, but it’s fascinating to see the directions Bugatti could have taken.
