When it comes to hypercars, not many names have the same level of prestige and performance as Bugatti. The Bugatti Divo, which was shown for the first time on August 24, 2018, at “The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering” in California, is a great example of the brand’s history of great engineering and custom craftsmanship. This amazing car is named after French racing driver Albert Divo, who won two Targa Florio races for Bugatti in the 1920s. It redefines what a hypercar can do. The Divo is a rare mix of raw power, aerodynamic precision, and luxurious exclusivity. Only 40 were made, and they all sold out on the first day they were available.
A History of Coachbuilding
The Divo is Bugatti’s return to modern coachbuilding, a tradition that goes back to the brand’s early days when customers got rolling chassis that expert coachbuilders would customize. The Divo is a custom-made car that is based on famous designs like the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic and the Vision Gran Turismo concept. It is made to be fast and agile on the track. Each of the 40 units is one of a kind. Owners work closely with Bugatti to choose the colors, materials, and finishes, making sure that no two Divos are the same. The Divo is the best example of automotive art because it is personalized and has cutting-edge engineering.
The Divo project brought back the coachbuilding spirit, combining respect for the past with new ideas. It was led by then-Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. The end result is a hypercar that not only pays tribute to Bugatti’s long history, but also pushes the limits of what a road-legal car can do on the track.
Design and aerodynamics: made for the track
The Divo is built on the same platform as the Chiron, but it is better at handling and cornering. The outside of the car is a lesson in how to make things more aerodynamic. It has a new front with wider air intakes, a new splitter that increases downforce, and ultra-compact LED headlights that free up space for more brake-cooling ducts. A 1.8-meter-wide fixed rear wing, which is 23% wider than the Chiron’s retractable wing, works with a NACA duct on the roof and a central fin to direct air for the best downforce. These improvements give the Divo 90 kg more downforce than the Chiron, which lets it reach an incredible 1.6 g of lateral acceleration.
The Divo’s aggressive look is enhanced by its sleek side profile, refined side skirts, and a rear grille that is only partially 3D-printed and has detailed taillights that make the car look wider. The famous Bugatti central fin, which pays homage to the brand’s history, cuts down on air turbulence and adds a striking visual element. Inside, the cabin is a work of art for the driver, with “Divo Racing Blue” accents breaking up the uneven color scheme. Alcantara-covered steering wheels, bigger shift paddles, and seats with better lateral support make a space that is both luxurious and ready for the track.
The Divo is 35 kg lighter than the Chiron because it uses lighter materials and less sound insulation. It is still legal to drive on the road, but it is more focused on performance than comfort. Its wedge-shaped shape and high beltline give it a dynamic look that makes it look powerful even when it’s not moving.
A W16 Beast of Power and Performance
The Divo has the same 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine as the Chiron, which makes an incredible 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. With a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, this all-wheel-drive hypercar goes from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.4 seconds. The Divo’s true strength is its ability to handle corners well, even though its top speed is electronically limited to 236 mph (380 km/h), which is slower than the Chiron’s 400+ km/h because of its track-focused tires and suspension. It beats the Chiron by eight seconds per lap on Italy’s Nardò handling circuit, which is proof of its tuned chassis and aerodynamic improvements.
The Divo’s suspension is stiffer and its steering is sharper, which makes it easy to drive around tight corners and winding roads. Bugatti’s engineers carefully balanced reducing weight with keeping the structure strong, making sure that the Divo gives you a thrilling but controlled driving experience.
Exclusivity and History
The Divo cost €5 million (about $5.8 million USD at the time of launch) and was only available to current Chiron owners through private invitations, which showed how exclusive it was. Before the public saw them, all 40 units were sold. Deliveries started in August 2020 and ended with the last model in July 2021. The “Lady Bug” Divo was a great example. It had a one-of-a-kind geometric diamond pattern with 1,600 hand-applied elements that took more than a year and a half to make. Another one, painted in EB 110 LM Blue with Dark Blue carbon and matte gold rims, paid tribute to Bugatti’s Le Mans history.
The Divo’s production run was a big deal for Bugatti because it was the brand’s first coachbuilt hypercar of the 21st century. It set a new standard for exclusivity and performance with its custom design and track-focused engineering. This had an effect on later models like the La Voiture Noire and Centodieci.
In conclusion
The Bugatti Divo is more than just a car; it’s a moving work of art that shows off the best in automotive engineering and craftsmanship. It embodies the best of Bugatti’s 110-year history while pushing the limits of what a hypercar can be with its stunning design, unmatched performance, and personalized options. The Divo is more than just a car for the lucky 40 owners. It is a piece of history that shows how hard Bugatti works to make things perfect.
