Ferdinand Piëch, born in Vienna in 1937, was an automotive legend. A mechanical engineering grad, he kicked off his career at Porsche, shaping the iconic Porsche 917. By 1993, he was leading Volkswagen AG, turning it into a powerhouse—and setting the stage for something extraordinary.
In 1997, aboard Japan’s Shinkansen train, Piëch grabbed an envelope and a pen. During a chat with VW’s engine chief, he sketched an 18-cylinder beast. That doodle? The spark for the Bugatti Veyron’s jaw-dropping W-16 engine.
Piëch needed a brand to match his vision. Inspired by his son’s toy Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, he picked Bugatti—a name tied to luxury and speed. In 1998, VW snagged the brand, and Piëch’s dream took off.
Piëch needed a brand to match his vision. Inspired by his son’s toy Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, he picked Bugatti—a name tied to luxury and speed. In 1998, VW snagged the brand, and Piëch’s dream took off.
Piëch wasn’t done. In 1999, the EB 218 sedan dropped at Geneva, followed by the EB 18/3 Chiron at Frankfurt. These bold designs tested his ideas, inching closer to the ultimate supercar.
By October 1999, the EB 18/4 Veyron rolled out at the Tokyo Motor Show. Crafted by Hartmut Warkuß and Jozef Kabaň, this concept nailed Piëch’s vision—and became the blueprint for the real deal.
Piëch didn’t mess around. He demanded a car with 1,001 hp, a 400 km/h (248 mph) top speed, and the elegance for a night at the opera. Speed and luxury? That’s the Veyron’s DNA.
In 2005, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 hit the scene. Clocking 407 km/h (253 mph) and 0-62 mph in 2.5 seconds, it became the world’s fastest production car. Luxury met insane speed—Piëch’s dream was real.
The Veyron didn’t just break records—it birthed the hypercar era. Piëch, who passed in 2019, left Bugatti atop the automotive world, proving genius and grit can rewrite history.