By Malusi Msomi

Bugatti has unveiled the Brouillard, a one-of-a-kind coupe and the first model under its new Solitaire programme. This special car is a tribute to Ettore Bugatti’s favourite horse, also named Brouillard. The name means “fog” in French and reflects the horse’s soft, mist-like white coat.

Solitaire is Bugatti’s latest step into ultra-personalised creations. The programme takes inspiration from the brand’s early coachbuilding days, where each car was built with unique style and craftsmanship. Only two Solitaire cars will be produced each year, making them some of the most exclusive Bugatti models ever created.

Built on Bugatti’s W16-powered platform, the Brouillard uses the brand’s 1,600 horsepower (1,193 kW) quad-turbo engine. The design avoids sharp edges in favour of smooth, flowing lines that echo the muscle tone of a trained horse. It blends aerodynamics and elegance, with details like a fixed ducktail wing and a functional rear diffuser.

Inside, the cabin is just as detailed. It features hand-woven fabrics from Paris, green-tinted carbon fibre, and a glass roof that brings in natural light. The seats and panels include horse-inspired embroidery, and the gear shifter has a tiny sculpture of Brouillard inside a glass insert.

The owner of the car is a passionate Bugatti collector who also owns artwork by members of the Bugatti family. This car brings together his love of cars, art and heritage in one highly detailed creation.

The Bugatti Brouillard will be officially revealed at Monterey Car Week. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Bugatti’s long history of bespoke craftsmanship.