Bugatti 16C Galibier gets the go-ahead

The Bugatti 16C Galibier concept, shown to a select few at the company's factory in Molsheim, is set to receive the green light for production.

The concept for succeeding the two-door, mid-engine Veyron offers a more conventional four-door, front-engine body style with bragging rights that pale only in comparison to its record-breaking forbearer: the 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine would carry over, albeit detuned from its 1000+bhp output in the Veyron to "only" 800bhp.

Sources also suggest that the Veyron's purpose-built dual-clutch transmission would be replaced with a more conventional torque-converter eight-speed automatic. With less power and a larger shape, the Galibier is tipped to reach a 220mph top speed – a good thirty less than the Veyron's top end, but still miles ahead of even the fastest production sedans.

Rumour has it that the Bugatti could share the platform with the new Bentley Mulsanne. And while earlier reports indicated that Bugatti would be "trying out a number of different concepts" before selecting one for production, the Galibier could hit the market by 2013 with a £900,000 price tag – the same price as a Veyron.

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