Palmer Johnson unveils Bugatti concept
Bugatti has joined forces with Palmer Johnson to create a yacht inspired by the Chiron…
Supercar manufacturer Bugatti has joined forces with Palmer Johnson to create a yacht inspired by the successor of the Bugatti Veyron, the Chiron, which was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016. Named the Bugatti Niniette, the yacht is the first of a new series starting from 15m and reaching 24m.
However, yachting isn’t an entirely new chapter for Bugatti, having been a boat builder in 1930 when a speedboat was commissioned, also called Niniette, after the founder’s daughter.
It’s clear that the design of the boat, which could be used as a superyacht tender, is keeping as close as possible to the design of the Chiron car. With the distinctive aft curve around the windows and two-tone colour scheme, the Niniette is very much on brand, which is why Palmer Johnson has described the concept as “the perfect match for the Bugatti Chiron.”
“The Niniette is a genuine member of the Bugatti family,” says Etienne Salomé, design director at Bugatti. “Even from a large distance when entering a port, the Niniette will always be recognised as a true Bugatti.”
Palmer Johnson has confirmed it will be bringing advanced materials, such as carbon, to the table, as well as what’s described by the shipyard as a “revolutionary hull”.
The idea for a joint project first arose in early 2015 when the two companies decided to create an innovative sport yacht based on the strengths of the company. The first renderings were then presented later that year and greeted with a large number of potential buyers – including several Bugatti owners, according to Palmer Johnson.
However, “the potential buyers wished for a closer connection of the yacht to the latest Bugatti supercar, the Chiron,” according to the shipyard. As a result, the project was revisited to incorporate more traits of the car.
The final result is something a little extraordinary, with a somewhat aggressive looking profile, much like the car. Its ultra-modern appearance is certainly distinctive, if not a little audacious.
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