Bugatti

With Gran Turismo Sport being shown off in gaming shows all around the world, off-screen gameplay videos are coming thick and fast. Last week we had a look at the SRT Hellcat on Brands Hatch in an off-screen direct audio capture, and MotoGamesTV have shared more sound-centric gameplay for us to get our teeth into. This time, it’s the Bugatti Vision GT on Northern Isle Raceway — Polyphony’s fantasy oval exclusive to GT Sport.

Earlier this week we reported Saudi Prince Badr bin Saud got the jump on other private bidders, purchasing both the one-off Bugatti Vision GT seen above, and pre-production Chiron. Before the prince can take delivery, both cars are currently scheduled to appear side-by-side at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance later this month.

This is certainly interesting. For those so inclined, snagging a shiny and new Bugatti is hardly a newsworthy event. It’s a different story altogether when the one-off Vision Gran Turismo that was shown off at last year’s Frankfurt motor show is claimed, and seemingly right under everyone’s nose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKQwO4oc6yY

As the automotive world prepares for one of the biggest events on the calendar – the Geneva Motor Show, opening to the public this Thursday – Bugatti has taken an early lead in buzz by unveiling the dramatic new Chiron.

Last November, Bugatti announced that the Veyron replacement would be known as Chiron. Named after the dominating driver of the 20’s and 30’s, Louis Chiron, the car is expected to utilize a variation on the Veyron’s immensely powerful W16 quad-turbo heart. Now, a new report has surfaced alleging the car will continue the modern Bugatti tradition of setting insanely high top seeds.

After a couple of weeks of extreme close-up teasing, the covers are finally off Bugatti’s Vision GT car due to head to GT6 in September.

If there’s one thing you can rely on with PR, it’s that if the first attempt to engage your audience is too subtle the second one won’t be. So when a small image of seven virtual pit crew members wearing Gran Turismo overalls doesn’t quite get the job done, a video of Gran Turismo’s creator Kazunori Yamauchi being driven about in a classic Bugatti Type 51 should smash the point home:

With all eyes on the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance yesterday, Bugatti picked its moment to get a spot of viral advertising underway. Its choice of accompanying hashtag harking back to the company’s founder Ettore Bugatti – #imaginEBugatti – may have raised a few wry smiles, but not as much as the image accompanying one Tweet from the official account: