Bugatti is busy putting the final touches on the long-awaited Chiron, its next supercar, that’s scheduled to make its public debut next March at the Geneva Motor Show. The Volkswagen Group’s crown jewel nonetheless found time to work with Wisconsin-based Palmer Johnson to develop an open super-yacht aimed at the world’s wealthiest yachtsmen and women.
Called Niniette, the affectionate nickname that company founder Ettore Bugatti gave his daughter, the Bugatti-themed yacht is available with three different hulls that stretch to 42 feet, 63 feet, and 88 feet in length, respectively. All models regardless of size boast a light carbon fiber hull whose design is inspired by classic Bugatti models like the Type 41 Royale and the Type 57 C Atlante. The two-tone paint job also harks back to the brand’s illustrious past, though ultra-modern design cues such as a one-piece wrap-around windshield and optional C-shaped roof pillars add a modern touch to the overall look.
The yacht offers space for four passengers who can sunbathe on a large salon located on the deck or stay in a smaller salon below. Buyers who’d rather leave the sailing to someone else will be delighted to know that Palmer Johnson has designed the Niniette with a built-in crew cabin.
There’s no word on what powers the Niniette. Palmer Johnson explains the smaller model tops out at 38 knots (about 45 mph) so it’s most likely not equipped with the Veyron’s quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine.
Bugatti briefly dabbled in racing boats and yachts during the 1930s, but it has never worked with Palmer Johnson before.
“This very special project brings together two brands with more than 100 years of experience in high-end hand crafting in their respective fields,” explained Dr. Stefan Brungs, a member of Bugatti’s board of management, in a related statement.
The 42-foot long model carries a base price of €2 million, a sum that converts to roughly $2.2 million, while the mid-level 63-foot long boat costs a cool €3.25 million — almost $3.5 million. Pricing for the range-topping 88-foot long yacht hasn’t been published yet. Production is expected to take up to a year, and no two examples will be identical because buyers will be able to customize nearly every aspect of their vessels.
