CarteaNewsAuto NewsThe Secret Bugatti Prototype: Bug-Eyed with an 18-Cylinder Engine Revealed for the First Time

The Secret Bugatti Prototype: Bug-Eyed with an 18-Cylinder Engine Revealed for the First Time

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Tamara Chalak
2025-07-23
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The secret Bugatti prototype, hidden for more than two decades, is one of the most fascinating stories in the history of ultra-high-performance cars. This stunning concept was designed in 1999 by renowned designer Walter de Silva and featured a unique 6.3-liter engine with 18 cylinders arranged in a “W” configuration, alongside distinctive bug-like round headlights that earned it the nickname “Bugatti,” echoing the literal meaning.

The secret 1999 Bugatti prototype features a unique W18 engine and bug-eye-inspired design, marking a notable innovation.

This prototype was recently unveiled at the German Automuseum Autostadt, located beside the Volkswagen factory, which currently owns the Bugatti brand rights, adding a special dimension to its story.

The Beginning of the Legend: How the Bugatti Prototype Was Created and Why It Stayed Hidden

Before the Bugatti Veyron became one of the fastest and most iconic hypercars in history, the brand went through various designs and extensive testing to shape its future identity. After Volkswagen Group acquired Bugatti, the journey to develop a hypercar that combined immense power with advanced technology began.

The secret 1999 Bugatti prototype features a unique W18 engine and bug-eye-inspired design, marking a notable innovation.


During this exploratory phase, Bugatti revealed several unique concept models, including the 18/3 Chiron and the 18/4 Veyron, some showcased at international motor shows. However, one prototype designed by Walter de Silva remained a secret for nearly ten years after its creation in 1999. It was only revealed in 2009 through a specialized Italian magazine before making its way finally to the Autostadt Museum.

Unlike other concept cars that are widely displayed at major shows, this prototype remained shrouded in mystery until recently.

The secret 1999 Bugatti prototype features a unique W18 engine and bug-eye-inspired design, marking a notable innovation.

Exterior Design: A Different Perspective with a Bugatti Spirit and a “Bug” Touch

The prototype’s exterior carries Bugatti’s traditional influence but with a unique interpretation of the famous horseshoe grille, shaped into a more streamlined and bold oval. Its sharp lines and prominent round headlights resembling “bug eyes” give the car an almost living presence in the automotive world, enhancing the exclusivity that has always defined the brand.

The car was finished in a striking shimmering blue that highlights Walter de Silva’s dynamic and emotive design style. The rear features a large central exhaust inspired by the rear edges blending into the unique Bugatti identity.

While some debate that the styling may appear unusual or less harmonious compared to the production Veyron, many elements of this prototype influenced the look of the Veyron when it finally launched.

The Engine: An 18-Cylinder “W” Configuration and Cutting-Edge Technology for Future Hypercars

One of the prototype’s most remarkable features is its engine. Bugatti developed a W18 engine composed of three banks of six cylinders each, with a total displacement of 6.3 liters. This was a bold and ambitious engineering experiment that demonstrated innovation and out-of-the-box thinking in designing hypercar engines.

Although this engine never reached production, it laid the conceptual foundation for some of the technologies eventually used in the production W16 quad-turbo engine of the Veyron, which produces between 987 and 1,183 horsepower depending on the version.

This 18-cylinder engine is a highly unusual option in automotive history due to its complexity and weight, but it remains one of Bugatti’s most famous technological experiments.

The secret 1999 Bugatti prototype features a unique W18 engine and bug-eye-inspired design, marking a notable innovation.

Final Touches and Secrecy: The Early Bugatti Veyron Prototype as a Historical Record

After multiple innovative attempts and a range of concept models, Bugatti ultimately decided to focus on the W16 engine instead of the W18. Still, Walter de Silva’s designs significantly helped shape the Veyron’s and later the Chiron’s visual identity.

Today, this vintage prototype is displayed at Germany’s Autostadt Museum near Volkswagen’s headquarters, making it accessible to car enthusiasts and experts eager to explore this secret chapter of Bugatti’s history.

There is no announced end date for the exhibit, making it a unique opportunity to see the formative stages of Bugatti’s future at the end of the 20th century.

The secret Bugatti prototype featuring an 18-cylinder engine and bug-eyed headlights represents the brand’s daring and continuous innovation. It highlights the gap between concept and final product and sheds light on the complex design journeys behind one of the greatest hypercars in the world.

Although it never reached production, the spirit of this prototype lives on in the Veyron and Chiron, forming a valuable legacy in the realm of hypercars. Its current display celebrates a rich history and marks ongoing creativity and renewal in the luxury automotive world.

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Tamara ChalakTamara Chalak
Chief editor information:

Tamara is an editor who has been working in the automotive field for over 3 years. She is also an automotive journalist and presenter; she shoots car reviews and tips on her social media platforms. She has a translation degree, and she also works as a freelance translator, copywriter, voiceover artist, and video editor. She’s taken automotive OBD Scanner and car diagnosis courses, and she’s also worked as an automotive sales woman for a year, in addition to completing an internship with Skoda Lebanon for 2 months. She also has been in the marketing field for over 2 years, and she also create social media content for small businesses. 

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