There’s been a big game of musical chairs underway between the chief engineers at European automakers. And the latest to name a new head of development is none other than Bugatti.
The Alsatian marque announced that, effective on the first of the new year, Stefan Ellrott will take position at the top of Bugatti’s vehicle development department.
The German mechanical engineer has worked for Bugatti’s parent Volkswagen Group since 1996, and has headed up development for such branches as Volkswagen Individual, Volkswagen R, and the parts/accessories division Volkswagen Zubehör.
Ellrott (48) takes over from Willi Netuschil, who is retiring at age 58. Having held the post since 2012, Netuschil spearheaded the development of the Chiron. Any subsequent versions or new models will now fall under Ellrott’s purview. In his new job, Ellrott will report directly to Bugatti/Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer, who in turn previously served as head of development at Porsche and Audi.
The changing of the guard on the Bugatti board follows shortly after Aston Martin nabbed its new CTO from Ferrari, Audi snagged Volvo’s chief engineer, and Volvo in turn named his replacement.
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