Bugatti made history today as its one-of-one Chiron Profilée sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction for a dizzying €9,792,500 (equal to $10,767,441 USD at current exchange rates). This groundbreaking sale sets a new record for the highest amount ever paid for a brand new car at auction.
If you aren’t quite familiar with the Profilée trim, that’s because it’s completely unique. The model is a one-off, which is likely what led to it nearly doubling pre-auction estimates of up to €5.5 million ($6.05 million USD).
Making the car even more intriguing, though, is the fact that it wasn’t intended to be a one-off. The Profilée was going to be its own Chiron trim line, like the Pur Sport or the Super Sport, but the automaker wound up finishing the Chiron’s run of 500 units ahead of schedule, preventing it from putting the Profilée into production.
Read: One-Off Chiron Profilée Is Your Last Chance To Get A W16 Bugatti Before The End
As the name suggests, Bugatti was working hard on this model’s profile, optimizing it for aero efficiency and thermodynamic air flow to make it more stable at high speeds, which led to its distinctive ducktail spoiler. New steering and suspension settings, meanwhile, give it responsive handling, while shorter gears allow it to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.3 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) in 5.5 seconds, and 300 km/h (186 mph) in just 12.4 seconds.
Despite that performance, though, the car was built to be more of a grand tourer than the likes of the Chiron Pur Sport, a decision that was made based on customer feedback. Still in development when Bugatti took its 500th order, the automaker took the unusual decision to finish this one vehicle, have it approved for use on European roads, and auction it off.
Finished in a silver hue called “Argent Atlantique,” which is complemented by a lower section that is tinted Bleu Royal Carbon, the model has alloy wheels that are painted “Le Patron” with polished aluminum accents to match the bodywork.
Inside, meanwhile, the unique car comes with a unique touch. The only Chiron model to receive a woven leather finish across the center console, around the dash, the door panels, and the rear wall inlay, the car is the perfect Chiron for billionaire bragging rights.
Indeed, RM Sotheby’s reports that there was intense bidding between collectors in the room, online, and on the phone, at its Paris auction today.
