At the prestigious Geneva Motor Show of 1993, a moment of automotive brilliance transpired as the covers were ceremoniously lifted off the Bugatti EB112.
The fusion of its captivating design and cutting-edge engineering sent ripples of awe through the industry, marking the genesis of an entirely novel segment in the realm of ultra-luxurious Grand Tourisme vehicles – a realm exclusively reserved for Bugatti. Drawing upon a rich heritage steeped in excellence and an unwavering commitment to pioneering technologies, the EB112 was more than a car; it was a revolutionary redefinition of the traditional saloon.
Giorgetto Giugiaro, a design luminary whose influence echoes through time, continues to shower the EB112 with unrestrained adulation, remarking, “The Bugatti EB112 showcased an array of nostalgic design elements harking back to the iconic models of the legendary French marque from the late Thirties. Yet, it presented them within a vehicle boasting innovative mechanicals.
The EB112 embodied the very essence of a dream car, acting as a precursor to the contemporary high-performance fastback models we revere today. Its fusion of design and technology, far ahead of its era, was nothing short of flawless.”
Giugiaro’s vision crystallized into a landmark design, celebrated by critics as the pinnacle of saloon car aesthetics. It was hailed not only as a masterpiece but as an authentic Bugatti, seamlessly harmonizing performance with opulence.
The EB112’s flowing aesthetics, a prescient harbinger of Bugatti’s current ‘form follows performance’ philosophy, ingeniously melded daring elegance with technical prowess. This union gave birth to a high-performance Berline car with exceptional aerodynamic capabilities – an automotive marvel that foreshadowed the Veyron and Chiron models that would follow.
Embodying Bugatti’s quintessential design DNA, the EB112’s frontal aspect exudes an elegance that remains synonymous with the brand. The grille, a harbinger of the Veyron’s iconic arrangement, and the longitudinal rib tracing the bonnet, roof, and rear window, pay homage to the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. This lineage is subtly echoed in both the Veyron and Chiron.
Elegance, timelessness, and innovation converged in the EB112’s all-aluminium body, which enveloped a carbon fibre monocoque derived from the advanced EB110 super sports car. This innovative body-chassis combination, groundbreaking in the sports car landscape of 1993, heralded an entirely new era for saloon cars.
The EB112’s world premiere in Geneva epitomized the pinnacle of anticipation. Painstakingly developed in the lead-up to the Swiss extravaganza, the EB112 made its grand entrance under its own power, capturing the spotlight. The powertrain, equally groundbreaking, featured a 60-valve (five per cylinder) 6.0-litre (5994cc) V12 engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a sophisticated four-wheel drive system.
The naturally aspirated V12 delivered an impressive 460 HP at 6,300 rpm, with a peak torque of 590 Nm available from just 3,000 rpm. This translated to unparalleled performance, surpassing its contemporaries in the high-performance saloon category. The EB112 achieved a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) and could sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a mere 4.3 seconds.
Building upon the advanced technology of the EB110, the four-wheel drive system in the EB112 evolved to feature a torque split of 38% front and 62% rear. This configuration ensured unwavering high performance under all conditions, accentuated by the optimal weight distribution achieved through the front mid-mounted placement of the powerful V12 engine. This technical prowess not only amplified dynamic performance but also elevated crash safety standards.
According to Luigi Galli, Bugatti’s Specialist Heritage and Certification, “The Bugatti EB112 was an avant-garde pioneer that ushered in a radical transformation in the saloon segment. In 1993, it established an entirely new category for Berline Coupé cars, delivering visionary design seamlessly melded with remarkable power and opulent luxury. It has forever etched its place as a pivotal milestone in Bugatti’s storied automotive heritage.”
The indelible mark left by Bugatti’s unparalleled EB112 saloon in 1993 underscores the brand’s ceaseless pursuit of innovation, technological advancement, and groundbreaking benchmarks. A true visionary, Giorgetto Giugiaro not only left his imprint on the EB112 but also played a crucial role in the brand’s rebirth in 1998, as exemplified by the concept cars Bugatti EB118 and Bugatti EB218. As Bugatti embarks on a new era under the leadership of Mate Rimac, the legacy of iconic models like the EB112 and Giugiaro’s visionary concepts will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.