Bugatti Design Chief ‘Frightened’ by the Abundance of Displays Found in Modern Vehicles

Both the Chiron and its roadster variant, the freshly revealed Bugatti Mistral, feature exceedingly minimalist interiors spotlighting an analog speedometer. This is just one strategy Anscheidt and Bugatti employ to ensure the enduring appeal of their car designs.

“Bugatti [is] … championing a deeper admiration for the analog charm,” Anscheidt elaborated. “Just like our mechanical watches, for instance. I believe there is merit in taking a divergent approach compared to competitors in the automotive sphere. Our primary ethos is that if it resembles something else, it forfeits its identity as a Bugatti. As a designer, it is rewarding to delve into this notion.”

This strategy pays off when dealing with hyper-rare roadsters priced at $5 million, not economy vehicles at $30,000. This enables Anscheidt and the team to craft designs with exclusivity in mind. “The [Mistral] design embodies utter simplicity, and we perpetually pursue the pinnacle of simplicity and neatness in our offerings,” Anscheidt emphasized. “Because I believe that’s what ensures endurance, whether a car is showcased in a collection or graces the lawns of The Quail in three decades. The design may not seem contemporary anymore, but it retains an authentic allure and, hopefully, exudes a timeless elegance. That endurance will withstand the test of time, so to speak.”