A Monument to Velocity and Rarity
Bugatti has long been a name synonymous with extremes—of power, of engineering, and of exclusivity. But even within that rarefied world, the Bolide stands apart. Born not as a grand tourer or a luxury hybrid, but as a track-only hypercar, the Bolide exists for the purest expression of speed and aerodynamic mastery. And now, the very first of only forty ever to be built—chassis No. 001—is heading to auction at Gooding Christie’s during the 2025 Pebble Beach Auctions on August 15 and 16. For collectors, the significance is unmistakable: this isn’t just a car, it’s a first-of-its-line artifact, the kind that transcends mechanical beauty to become cultural iconography.
Presented amid the storied backdrop of Monterey Car Week, this Bolide will not only command attention—it will likely command a price approaching $6 million. That figure reflects more than just horsepower or heritage. It acknowledges the extraordinary context of its debut. Conceived at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020, the Bolide was initially revealed as a concept—a hopeful vision from Bugatti at a moment when the world’s imagination needed escape. Its production form made its public debut nearly three years later at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most revered stages in motorsport history.
David Brynan, senior specialist at Gooding Christie’s, recognizes the historical weight of the consignment: “This is an extraordinary car in all respects—engineering, design, and performance—and it is very exciting to be able to present the first Bolide at auction.” The presence of chassis No. 001—bearing only 389 miles on its odometer—marks the confluence of exclusivity, innovation, and narrative power. It is not only the first Bolide ever delivered but also a symbol of what the future of hypercars might look like when the envelope is pushed as far as physics and art will allow.
A Machine Designed to Rewrite the Laws of Speed
Underneath its carbon-fiber skin lies an engine that seems less built than unleashed. The Bolide is powered by Bugatti’s formidable 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16 engine, capable of producing a staggering 1,578 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. It reaches 62 mph in just 2.2 seconds and maxes out at a top speed of 236 mph. These are not just statistics—they are evidence of engineering on the outer edge of possibility. The engine, placed within a carbon monocoque stronger than the one used in the Chiron, is both the heart and soul of the machine.
Driving the Bolide isn’t just a matter of steering and throttle—it is an immersive experience tailored to each driver. Unlike conventional setups, the seats are fixed to the chassis, while the steering wheel and pedals adjust around the individual. It’s an inversion of typical comfort priorities, made in service of complete control and minimal compromise. In this cockpit, you don’t just sit in a car—you become part of it. Everything from grip to geometry has been reimagined with lap times, g-forces, and ultimate feedback in mind.
Aerodynamics are at the core of the Bolide’s identity. Bugatti reports that at full speed, the car generates nearly three tons of downforce—almost twice its dry weight of 3,196 pounds. This staggering number results from an arsenal of active aero technologies: a reconfigurable rear wing, a complex front diffuser, and airflow channels that slice through resistance like a scalpel through silk. Even its braking system, with the largest carbon-carbon rotors ever used on a Bugatti and multi-piston calipers at all four corners, is a testament to precision engineering. From 186 mph to zero takes just six seconds—an astonishing feat of deceleration.
Collectible Power in Motion
For many in the collecting world, the significance of chassis No. 001 cannot be overstated. Among a total production run of only forty, the very first car becomes more than the sum of its components—it becomes a reference point, a crown jewel in the lineage of modern hypercars. That this particular example has surfaced so soon after its delivery, and with less than 400 miles of use, only heightens its appeal. In a market where rarity is currency and provenance is everything, the Bolide No. 001 positions itself as one of the most important offerings of the auction season.
What’s more, the sale of this Bolide represents a larger cultural moment for Bugatti. It affirms that the brand is willing to venture beyond luxury and legacy into the rarified air of uncompromising performance and innovation. The Bolide is not a car to be coddled or cloistered—it is a vehicle forged for racetracks, sculpted by physics, and elevated by ambition. While its $6 million estimate may raise eyebrows, it is grounded in precedent and in the value of truly limited-edition engineering that crosses into the realm of collectable art.
As it prepares to cross the block at Pebble Beach, the Bolide stands not just as the first of its kind, but as a kind of summit. It captures the intersection of technological daring and aesthetic brilliance, delivering a machine that feels as much like sculpture in motion as it does like an automobile. For whoever places the winning bid, it won’t just be a purchase. It will be the acquisition of something elemental: the beginning of a legacy, bought at speed.