L’Or Blanc: Bugatti’s Fastest Porcelain Creation
Bugatti, in collaboration with the Royal Porcelain Factory (KPM) in Berlin, Germany, has unveiled their latest masterpiece – L’Or Blanc. This extraordinary car is not just any ordinary vehicle; it is the first and only car to feature porcelain inlays on both its interior and exterior. From the fuel filler cap to the badges and wheel center caps, every detail has been meticulously crafted with porcelain. This automotive work of art boasts a top speed of over 250 mph, making it a true marvel on the road.
However, driving a car made of porcelain is not like driving any other car, especially when it comes to Bugatti. With its reputation as a garage queen, L’Or Blanc was not built to withstand the test of time. That’s why Bugatti decided to create only one of these remarkable vehicles.
The grand unveiling of L’Or Blanc took place on June 30, 2011, at the KPM headquarters in Berlin. Based on the Veyron Grand Sport, this car exudes extravagance and abstract beauty. The project was led by Bugatti’s Head of Design, Achim Anscheidt, and his team worked tirelessly for months to bring this masterpiece to life. They paid meticulous attention to every detail, ensuring that the porcelain parts shone from every angle and reflected light in the most captivating way.
The Veyron Grand Sport, known as the fastest convertible in the world at that time, needed a design that matched its incredible performance. With a top speed of 254.04 mph (408.84 kph), this car was built for the track, but its beauty also made it suitable for the streets.
L’Or Blanc, which translates to “The White Gold,” perfectly captures the essence of this unique creation. The body of the car is pre-painted in a bright white tone, reminiscent of fine porcelain. To achieve the stunning blue lines, a precision tape made of Japanese soft tissue was used. This tape adheres perfectly to sulfur-containing plasticine and can be torn off by hand with ease.
Stretching the tape across the entire body of the Veyron, the design team meticulously adjusted its position and tension until they achieved the perfect line. Even the smallest imperfections were corrected with utmost care. Once the design was finalized, the car’s paint specialists painstakingly filled each millimeter of the marked lines by hand. After five layers of clear lacquer and three weeks of meticulous work, the Bugatti L’Or Blanc was finally complete.
The porcelain elements on this model were all handcrafted at the factory in Berlin, where over 170 skilled craftsmen meticulously produced each item. It took several weeks to create each unique porcelain component, just as it did for the Bugatti itself.
Bugatti’s collaboration with the Royal Porcelain Factory has resulted in a truly remarkable creation – L’Or Blanc. With its porcelain inlays and breathtaking design, this car stands as a testament to the intersection of art and automotive engineering. It is a true masterpiece that will forever hold a special place in the history of luxury automobiles.
Photo: Bugatti
Bugatti L’Or Blanc: The First Car with Porcelain Components
In a groundbreaking move, Bugatti has unveiled the world’s first car to feature porcelain components. The team in Berlin faced numerous challenges in molding, testing, and checking the impact of natural shrinkage during firing and drying. With 261 years of experience, the factory had never dealt with a car before. Therefore, each item had to be thoroughly inspected to ensure the safety of the occupants in the event of a crash.
The Bugatti L’Or Blanc showcases the innovative use of porcelain in its design. The inlays of the center wheel badges, fuel filler cap, and oil filler cap are all made of porcelain. The iconic “EB” logo, representing “Ettore Bugatti,” is also crafted from this unique material. Additionally, porcelain is featured on the sides of the center console and the rear panel between the seats. Notably, the car includes a meticulously crafted porcelain dish with diamond-polished edges. This dish is part of an exclusive picnic set, specially designed by a renowned porcelain factory for this high-end model.
When Bugatti first entertained the idea of integrating porcelain components into their cars, it was met with skepticism. However, the brand’s fearless approach and commitment to pushing boundaries led them to embrace the challenge. Inspired by the legacy of Ettore Bugatti, the team collaborated with KPM, a prestigious porcelain manufacturer, to create the Bugatti L’Or Blanc.
Originally, KPM had planned to incorporate the famous elephant sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti into their product lineup. However, a series of discussions and brainstorming sessions resulted in the joint development of an exclusive automobile. The Bugatti L’Or Blanc, a true masterpiece on wheels, was priced at 1.65 million euros ($2.3 million) when it was released. The identity of the buyer has remained a well-guarded secret for over a decade, but sightings of the car in Paris and Monaco suggest that the customer is based in Europe.
