Bugatti had set a high benchmark with the track-only , and was later followed by the Brouillard and . Now, as a part of the French marque’s bespoke Solitaire programme, a new coachbuilding performance car has emerged inspired by the Type 57G and Type 57C Tank. Adapting the same carbon-fiber monocoque as the Bolide, the machine, christened Destrier (after a medieval warhorse), has a flatter front end to shed the performance hypercar image.
The grille on this new beauty has gone wider, and the LED headlights get a more 2026 aesthetic. In fact, from the side profile, the car gives off a longtail vibe, extenuated by the massive flared wheel arches on the C-line. That wing and splitter on the Bolide have been stripped away to make it road legal, a more toned-down version of the original. That said, the 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine (producing 1,600 PS), the mechanical heart, has been retained to have the same performance.
Designer:
Destrier was unveiled online just before its slated global public appearance on August 16, 2026, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. At first glance, the hypercar’s shaved-off bodywork is evident, giving it a streamlined waistline curving inwards behind the forward-hinged doors, and then again widening out at the rear with a muscular tone. Just 1 meter tall, the hypercar’s cabin is sandwiched between the front wings and the bigger wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches on the back. Clearly this one is meant for purists who are not going to complain about the difficulty of getting in. According to Bugatti’s Director of Design, Frank Heyl: “Destrier is not a car you understand with your head; it is a car you feel with your heart.”
A chrome trim goes across the bonnet and onto the roof at the back, followed by a wing-shaped spoiler positioned above the skinny taillights. Complementing the muscular rear is the large diffuser with four exhausts. Highlight among all this mesmerizing aura is the Sapphire Celeste paintwork, which is produced in multiple layers to achieve a diamond sparkle that changes color depending on the ambient light falling on it. Aluminum parts on the car stand out against the bodywork, and the engine compartment is completely hand-hammered to give the medieval plate armor finish. This supports the brand’s claim that “Destrier’s story is one of proportion and craftsmanship, not outright performance.”
Move to the inside, and the motorsport cockpit is quite fashion-forward, contrasting the crystalline exterior. The attention to detail is apparent from the advanced 3D-knitted technical fabric resembling snake skin, paired with the smooth leather and velvety nubuck, both finished in warm brown Ambre Voyageur shade. The flying yoke-style steering wheel is paired with the infotainment system that is a part of the single large screen offering relevant information, both for driving and entertainment when parked. There’s no word on the price yet, but considering the Bolide costs $4.8 million each for the 40 limited edition models, this one could cost a couple of million more!
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