Bugatti Vitesse ‘Black Bess’: Fifth legend celebrates its premiere in Beijing

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It was only in Geneva that Bugatti unveiled the fourth in its series of ‘Legend Editions’: the Rembrandt Bugatti. Now, with a Beijing backdrop, the fifth in the series – ‘Black Bess’ – reveals cues dedicated to its Type 18 namesake…

The Type 18 ‘Black Bess’ was one of the most important pre-War Bugattis – Ettore Bugatti himself campaigned it in numerous races, and also steered it to a class win at the 1912 Mont Ventoux Hillclimb. Its 5-litre, four-cylinder engine boasted 100HP and could surpass 100mph, also making it one of the fastest road cars of the era.

At the Auto China in Beijing, 21 to 29 April, Bugatti will publicly reveal the modern interpretation of Black Bess, based on a Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse – meaning 1,200HP and 253.5mph. The new edition will be limited to three examples, costing €2.15m apiece. Its inspiration, which in turn was named after an English racehorse, today resides in the Louwman Museum in the Netherlands.

Photos: Bugatti