Bugatti will not make an SUV, its CEO Stephan Winkelmann has stated, reacting to speculation that a second model line could be a high-riding vehicle to rival the Lamborghini Urus.
Winkelmann said: “There will be no SUV from Bugatti,” adding that such a model would not do justice to the brand or its history.
Rival Ferrari has previously said it won’t produce an SUV, yet it is now developing something that it has branded an "FAV" (Ferrari Activity Vehicle). Whether Winkelmann is choosing to be similarly coy about Bugatti’s plans remains to be seen.
His comment on the SUV comes as Bugatti celebrates its 110th year, in which the French brand has prepared a ‘few surprises”, including the “presentation of further models”. No more details have been revealed.
Rumours around a second Bugatti model line have been rife for some years, and Winkelmann confirmed to Autocar late last year that there is enough enthusiasm to grow the brand, citing the sell-out success of the £4.5 million Bugatti Divo, a track-focused development of the Bugatti Chiron.
At the time, he said: “The response to the Divo has been tremendous. Each car has been sold to an existing Chiron customer, and the allocation has gone immediately. That shows the passion for this brand.
“That shows me that we are ready to do more. In terms of the number of people we have who love the brand, I feel we have proved a lot. The next question is how much money do we have to invest into our future to make some of our ideas become reality – and will the return justify that investment. That is what we must work on.”
Bugatti is understood to be considering a number of bodystyles, looking at regional demand and growing segments. Alongside a potential SUV, there has long been debate over a four-door saloon, as previewed by the 2009 Galibier concept.
Winkelmann previously headed up fellow Volkswagen Group brand Lamborghini, where he was instrumental in launching the Lamborghini Urus.
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