Bugatti EB 110

Bugatti EB 110: The Supercar That Revived a Legendary Name

The Bugatti EB 110 is one of the most remarkable supercars of the 1990s. Created during a brief but ambitious revival of the Bugatti name, the EB 110 combined Italian supercar engineering with extraordinary performance and advanced technology. With its quad-turbocharged V12, permanent four-wheel drive and distinctive styling, the EB 110 remains one of the most fascinating cars in Bugatti history.

The Birth of the EB 110

The story of the EB 110 begins with Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli, who acquired the rights to the Bugatti name and established Bugatti Automobili in Italy. The company was based in Campogalliano, near Modena, an area already famous for its connections to Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

The new car was named EB 110 in honour of Ettore Bugatti, the founder of the original Bugatti company. The “110” represented the 110th anniversary of Ettore Bugatti’s birth.

The production version was officially unveiled on 15 September 1991, exactly 110 years after Ettore Bugatti’s birth. The launch took place at the Palace of Versailles and was followed by a presentation beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Advanced Supercar Engineering

The EB 110 was exceptionally advanced for its era. Its engine was a 3.5-litre quad-turbocharged V12, featuring five valves per cylinder. The engine was mounted longitudinally behind the driver and produced enormous power for such a compact displacement.

The EB 110 also featured permanent all-wheel drive, giving it remarkable traction and stability. Its chassis used a lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque, an engineering feature that was still relatively unusual among road cars in the early 1990s.

The combination of lightweight construction, four-wheel drive and forced induction gave the EB 110 performance that placed it among the world’s fastest production cars.

EB 110 Specifications

Bugatti EB 110 Performance

The standard EB 110 produced around 560 horsepower, giving it a claimed 0–100 km/h time of approximately 3.5 seconds. Its top speed was around 212 mph (341 km/h).

These numbers made the EB 110 a genuine hypercar before the term “hypercar” became widely used.

The all-wheel-drive system was particularly important. Rather than relying solely on rear-wheel drive like many contemporary Italian supercars, the Bugatti could put its enormous power onto the road with impressive effectiveness.

EB 110 Super Sport

For enthusiasts seeking even greater performance, Bugatti developed the EB 110 Super Sport.

The Super Sport received a more powerful version of the V12, producing approximately 603 horsepower. Weight was also reduced through the use of lighter components, while the suspension, aerodynamics and other systems were revised for improved performance.

The Super Sport could accelerate from 0–100 km/h in roughly 3.2 seconds and had a claimed top speed of approximately 216 mph (348 km/h).

It became the ultimate expression of the EB 110 concept and is now one of the most collectible modern-era Bugattis.

Distinctive Styling

The EB 110 was designed by Marcello Gandini, one of the most influential automotive designers of the 20th century. Gandini was responsible for some of the most famous Italian sports cars ever created.

The EB 110 incorporated several recognizable Gandini design themes, including its sharply defined bodywork, dramatic proportions and distinctive scissor-style doors.

The car also featured a large glass engine cover that allowed the V12 to become part of the visual experience. Its deep front air intakes and characteristic horseshoe-shaped Bugatti grille connected the new supercar with the marque’s historic identity.

Racing and the EB 110

Bugatti also explored motorsport with the EB 110. A racing version known as the EB 110 SS was developed with competition in mind.

The car’s four-wheel-drive system and powerful turbocharged V12 provided an impressive technical foundation. One of the most memorable projects was the EB 110’s participation in endurance racing, where Bugatti sought to demonstrate that its new supercar could compete against established racing machinery.

The EB 110 also became associated with American racing driver Derek Hill, who competed with a racing-prepared example.

The EB 110 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Bugatti’s renewed interest in motorsport included an ambitious attempt to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although the programme did not achieve the lasting racing success originally hoped for, it helped establish the EB 110 as much more than a road-going technology showcase.

The EB 110’s competition programme remains an intriguing part of its history because it demonstrated the company’s determination to restore Bugatti as a serious performance marque.

A Short-Lived Revival

Despite the remarkable engineering of the EB 110, Bugatti Automobili encountered serious financial problems.

The early 1990s were a difficult period for the high-performance car industry, and the enormous cost of developing and producing the EB 110 proved difficult to sustain. Production ended when Bugatti Automobili entered bankruptcy in 1995.

Only a small number of EB 110s were produced, making the car exceptionally rare.

The Campogalliano factory was subsequently closed, leaving behind an impressive but ultimately short-lived chapter in Bugatti’s history.

The EB 110 and Dauer

The EB 110 story did not completely end with the bankruptcy. German company Dauer Sportwagen acquired the remaining components and rights and developed the Dauer EB 110.

These cars continued the basic EB 110 concept while incorporating modifications and refinements. They represent a fascinating continuation of the original project and are extremely rare today.

Bugatti EB 110 Legacy

The EB 110 occupies a unique position between the historic Bugatti automobiles of Ettore Bugatti and the modern Bugatti era.

Although the Italian company lasted only a few years, the EB 110 demonstrated that Bugatti could once again produce an extraordinary high-performance automobile. Its carbon-fibre construction, quad-turbocharged V12 and four-wheel-drive system were technically impressive achievements.

The car also helped preserve the Bugatti name during the period before Volkswagen Group acquired the marque and eventually created the Veyron and Chiron.

In many respects, the EB 110 was a technological preview of the modern hypercar.

Collecting the Bugatti EB 110

Because production numbers were extremely low, genuine EB 110s are highly desirable among collectors. The EB 110 Super Sport is particularly sought after.

Collectors value the car not only for its rarity but also for its engineering significance. It represents a fascinating moment when Italian supercar design, cutting-edge materials and extreme turbocharged performance came together under one of the world’s most famous automotive names.

Bugatti EB 110 Diecast Model Cars

The EB 110 has also become an interesting subject for model-car collectors. Because the real car is exceptionally rare and expensive, a scale model provides enthusiasts with a much more accessible way to own a representation of this important Bugatti.

Models have been produced in various scales, with 1:18 being particularly popular among collectors who want detailed displays. Smaller 1:43 models are also useful for building larger collections of historic Bugatti cars.

Depending on the manufacturer, EB 110 models may feature opening doors, detailed interiors, engine compartments and accurately reproduced wheels and bodywork.

Why the EB 110 Matters

The Bugatti EB 110 was more than a fast 1990s supercar. It was an ambitious attempt to resurrect one of the greatest names in automotive history.

With its quad-turbo V12, carbon-fibre chassis, four-wheel drive and Marcello Gandini styling, the EB 110 was technologically ahead of its time. Its short production run only increased its mystique.

Today, the EB 110 is remembered as one of the great “what if?” cars of the supercar era—a spectacular machine whose story was cut short, but whose influence and reputation have endured.

For car enthusiasts and collectors, the Bugatti EB 110 remains one of the most fascinating and desirable supercars of the 1990s.

Looking for a scale model of this car? Explore our guide to Bugatti model cars and discover diecast and collectible versions available from specialist retailers.

Note: As affiliates Car Intensity may receive a commission on sales.