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Thursday, January 23, 2025

An Interview With Bugatti Director of Design Frank Heyll


The story behind the Tourbillon.

The Bugatti Tourbillon, the marque’s third act, debuted final 12 months as the last word mic-drop second. It set the tone for Monterey Automotive Week, incorporating a modern new physique, an inside devoid of screens, and a naturally aspirated engine and electrical motor combo that guarantees as a lot engagement because it does pace. Nevertheless, not like seven-figure machines that chase lap instances or efficiency figures, the Tourbillon isn’t only for immediately; Bugatti needs it to be related a century from now. 

Final 12 months, throughout The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, we sat down with Bugatti Director of Design Frank Heyll to debate methods to construct a timeless machine.


A sleek blue Bugatti luxury sports car with an aerodynamic design, showcasing a side profile view with detailed rims and a smooth finish. Inspired by the vision of Frank Heyll, Director of Design, this masterpiece exudes elegance and cutting-edge engineering.

dR: Earlier than the Tourbillon took form, what impressed you and your workforce, and the way did it form its construct and design?

FH: If we take a look at the way in which these automobiles have endured the many years, and typically centuries in these collections, there’s one factor that’s on the root of each designer’s considering. It’s the idea of time machines. Yesterday, we had been at Laguna Seca, and there was a Sort 35 from 1924, and it’s right here within the 12 months 2024. 

This factor is 100 years outdated. It’s no exaggeration or advertising. It’s a loopy factor. They’ll nonetheless be round after we’re all lifeless. It’s important to take that under consideration to make them timeless. 

dR: How do you make sure that a automotive might be timeless to this point into the long run?

FH: Attempting to keep away from know-how, and exhibiting know-how. That’s the place the concept for the turning machined interface got here from. While you open the door, it’s a digital detox. It’s one thing that may’t be dated. So we’ve a bit of display screen if you wish to have Apple CarPlay, however you too can hit a change, and it’s gone. In 100 years, you received’t even use it, and the automotive will perform with out it.

Quantity 2, it must be genuine, and thru being real, it may be timeless. That’s why there are analog dials and needles; it’s like an beautiful watch. 

dR: In relation to automobiles this highly effective and costly, has efficiency turn into much less necessary than its design and inside supplies?

FH: It’s going to be loads quick, and it’s straightforward to say what I’m going to say now when you’ve got these numbers, however it’s virtually not that related anymore. Any more, these items might be quicker than you may drive them. And so, if that’s not the factor, what’s it? 

It’s not one thing you may put in ones and zeros. It’s human issues, emotional issues. How do you understand all of those sensations that we’re providing you? How do you are feeling while you sit within the driver’s seat? The way in which the leather-based smells, the load of the controls. When you click on a gear selector, does it really feel like pulling the set off on a sniper rifle? That’s why we went with a naturally aspirated 9,000-rpm 64-valve piece of artwork. Since you need to hear the sound. You need to be immersed within the vibration. So it’s about interesting to your senses, and you may’t put that in numbers. 

The sleek, dark blue sports car with butterfly doors open, viewed from the rear, showcases the design prowess of Frank Heyll. The Director of Design at Bugatti masterfully crafted its prominent taillights and shadows cast on a smooth surface.

Closed and open duPont Registry magazines on a red surface, featuring a red sports car with open doors.

This text appeared in our January 2025 Difficulty.
Introducing the January 2025 concern of duPont REGISTRY, #476, starring the all-new Ferrari F80. To get your fingers on a replica, both purchase a single concern or subscribe.


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