The Bugatti EB110 - A Heartbreaking Failure

This is the story of The Bugatti EB110. It was the first new Bugatti in 40 years, it was designed to beat the cars from Modena, Ferrari and Lamborghini. It was the fastest and most technically advanced car when launched and yet still failed to sell in enough numbers to keep the factory alive. In this video I explore the reasons why the EB110 failed despite being a better supercar than its rivals from Modena.

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[skilgour]

I’m surprised that sabotage wasn’t mentioned. People who worked for Bugatti at the time consistently noticed that tasks they’d completed the day before would be undone the next day. Ferrari is also implicated in threatening component suppliers not to work with Bugatti so life was quite difficult for the company despite a quality product and celebrity endorsement (i.e. Schumacher).

[kenw]

The one and only time I saw one was at the Monaco GP in 92 in the Casino car park. In the flesh it looked amazing.

[rwelsh]

Jack Ive been out in one of these mate. My uncle was Production manager at lotus when Bugatti owned lotus. I blagged a vip tour including being scared to death in numerous cars this was one of them. Ace vid by the way Si from Bath

[markaustin]

I was lucky enough to be Sales Manager at the H.R. Owen Bugatti showroom in Cheval Place, Knightsbridge. 4EB pictured in the video was our demo car at the time. It was a great car to drive, very smooth and comfortable but it was a bit laggy and had very noisy wastegates which you either liked or not. No rear vision and you had to reverse it like a Countach (drivers door open and half sitting on the door sill). This wasn't easy and I did reverse it into a wall when my foot slipped off the clutch one time. If I remember correctly the GBP 285k price included lifetime warranty and service plan provided the car was serviced with us as per Bugatti schedule. The Supersport version was I think GBP 335k.

[surfrat]

Don't normally enjoy talking head videos, but you nailed it... Well done.

[gabrielash]

I had the privilege of seeing one of these in the flesh at the auto museum in Saratoga NY it was silver with a gray interior. It was sitting across from a Porsche 959 which was next to a Jaguar XJ220. It was a display of eighties and nineties sports cars . I asked the gentleman working the floor where is the F40. He said they have never had one on display.

[spunkbubble]

I saw an EB110 a few years back, may even have been an SS (seen a few fantastic cars in the interim), it’s definitely pretty diminutive for something with such power …. The good old days before everything got lardy and needed 200bho to move. It was strange that it drew so few looks from people passing by. I suppose you could bizarrely think of it flying under the radar for many people as they don’t know what it is. I wouldn’t kick it out of the garage for farting.

[simonhodgetts]

I remember the Burago model of this well! A sort of monumental car, not exactly pretty, but definitely not lacking presence!

[lebojay]

I love the OG Team Associated RC10… that’s like the Audi Quattro of RC cars. It all changed after that.

I remember seeing the blue factory entirely by accident. Cruising down the autostrada on holiday… oh, there’s Bugatti!

Very good video, Jack. I learned a lot. Thank you.

[DoubleDeckerAnton]

Very interesting story Jack.
I didn't look into Bugatti's history before.
Looking forward to more of these.

[CharlesFlahertyB]

I saw one (silver) in the paddock at the 2002 Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca. It's spectacular in person

[giorgiodelpalatinato]

Best explanation I've ever heard in regard to the failure of Bugatti 2.0!

And the very first time I heard in a video that Bugatti was founded as a German company in Germany! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Ettore was Italian, made his decisive experiences when working for Deutz in Cologne, started his business in Germany and continued it in France. This is an early example for a really European company!

[uleertel]

Small correction about the country owning the city of Molsheim. It was French until 1870. Then German until 1918, then French again, then occupied during ww2, and back to France after that. So it was not only French "after ww2". Considering Bugatti left the city during war it was in Germany the first 5 years.

[matthewmcree]

Personally I think the EB-110 is actually really beautiful, although I understand why people would think it looks a bit strange. The front has a truly 90s supercar look that still (IMO) looks very futuristic despite not having the crazy aggressive looks that we think supercars look like nowadays, and maybe that "civilized" look that it has is why I like it. It makes me think of the way that some high-speed trains look, and since I love high-speed trains, it just works for me. A shame that it failed :(

[Bettaos]

Brilliant analysis. Thank you.
I recently enjoyed some video of the EB110 on the Davide Cironi's Channel. I like this car so much, even if had not the success it deserved.

[gaetanoflorio]

Hi Jack, I was at the inaugural launch in Sydney Australia and remember the evening very well. It was pouring rain and the humidity was very high and the one thing that made me ponder how a car of its value had foggy tail lights. Not a good look for a half million dollar car on the night, but in saying so, it was an amazing car to look at and sit in. Thanks for the great video. Keep up the great content 👍

[organiccold]

Thank you for the cool story Jack. Me too love both cars :) i had a passion for the EB110 when it come out

[C.Fecteau-AU-MJ]

Thought for a moment you had an EB110 to road test... Thought you'd hit the big leagues lol.

Great chat though, love your work

[johnforeman]

I used to be in the Bugatti Owners Club (one did not actually have to own a Bugatti to be in it) and because of that had a very impressive invitation to the launch, I think in Paris. Unfortunately I was working abroad at the time and could not go. I did keep the invitation that is in a draw somewhere.

[caterhamsuperlightr]

I saw my one and only EB110 parked up in a Nice back street when staying there for the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix. Couldn’t believe my eyes! Just left there in the dark like a large blue Renault Laguna!