Back in 1991, the Bugatti EB110 was introduced to the world.
The Ferrari F40 rival revived the hallowed horseshoe after 36 years, courtesy of Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli (who would later buy Lotus and gift us the Lotus Elise).
“If humiliating Maranello is your game, 12 cylinders, 60 valves, four turbos and four-wheel drive are what you’ll need,” said our man. As for the driving experience? “If you want 550bhp and 211mph, you can wave goodbye to turning in with a flick of the wrist rather than a stab at the throttle. Yes? Not so.
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“The handling and refinement are everything I thought they wouldn’t be. But the performance is everything I thought it would be and more. After a day of throwing it round a track, I couldn’t escape the idea of a 550bhp Mini Cooper.
“You could drive this car into the heavens if you have the courage. The acceleration up to 8000rpm is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
“Balance in corners is never in doubt and the staggering rigidity means any bump is dealt with.”
What a shame it coincided with a global recession, bankrupting Bugatti after it had made just 139.
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