The Forgotten Bugatti: A Rare V12 Sedan Sells for Nearly $2 Million
Imagine discovering a Bugatti so rare that only three examples exist in the world. Not a Veyron, Chiron or modern hypercar, but an extraordinary four-door luxury sedan that almost disappeared from automotive history.
The Bugatti EB112, one of the brand’s most mysterious creations, returned to the spotlight when an exceptionally rare example sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Monaco for €1,692,500, approximately $1.98 million.
Even more remarkable, the car had travelled just 388 kilometres, or 241 miles, despite being completed decades earlier.
The Bugatti Nobody Expected
When enthusiasts think of Bugatti, they imagine extraordinary speed, dramatic styling and exclusive hypercars.
But during the brand’s Italian revival under businessman Romano Artioli, Bugatti had a very different ambition: creating one of the world’s most sophisticated luxury sedans.
Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, the EB112 combined the elegance of a grand touring limousine with the engineering of a supercar.
Designed by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, it featured sweeping bodywork, four doors and styling inspired by Bugatti’s historic masterpieces.
The project represented a fascinating chapter in the marque’s evolution, complementing the extraordinary heritage celebrated in CarBook Magazine’s feature on Bugatti’s past and present at the Schlumpf Concours d’Élégance.
A Luxury Sedan With Supercar Performance
Beneath its elegant bodywork, the EB112 concealed remarkable engineering.
The vehicle featured a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine producing approximately 460 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
Its carbon-fibre chassis was derived from the Bugatti EB110 supercar.
Projected performance figures included acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h.
According to the official RM Sotheby’s auction description, the EB112 combined advanced engineering with traditional Bugatti luxury, including a distinctive interior and bespoke accessories.
It was an extraordinary concept: the performance of a supercar with the comfort and practicality of a four-door grand tourer.
The Bankruptcy That Nearly Ended Everything
Despite its impressive potential, the EB112 never entered series production.
Bugatti’s Italian operation collapsed financially, leaving the ambitious sedan project unfinished.
Only one drivable prototype had been completed by the original company.
However, businessman and automotive enthusiast Gildo Pallanca Pastor later acquired unfinished EB112 components following Bugatti’s bankruptcy.
His team completed two additional examples, bringing the total number of finished cars to just three.
The EB112 became one of the rarest modern Bugatti models ever created.
A Hidden Treasure With Just 241 Miles
One of those three vehicles eventually emerged for sale in Monaco.
Completed in 1999, the car had remained with Pastor until 2015 before passing to its second owner.
Despite its powerful V12 engine and road registration, its odometer showed only 388 kilometres when catalogued for auction.
The vehicle also retained unusual original accessories, including bespoke luggage and an umbrella featuring a handle inspired by the famous Bugatti elephant mascot.
As reported by Top Gear’s coverage of the rare EB112, the car represented a remarkable survivor from Bugatti’s ambitious but short-lived Italian era.
It ultimately sold for nearly $2 million, demonstrating the extraordinary collector appeal of a vehicle that never reached conventional showrooms.
The Bugatti That Could Have Changed Luxury Cars
The EB112 remains fascinating because it reveals a different vision of Bugatti.
Instead of focusing exclusively on two-door supercars, the company imagined a luxurious four-door machine capable of competing at the highest level of automotive engineering.
Its combination of performance, exclusivity and distinctive styling anticipated the growing market for ultra-powerful luxury sedans.
For readers interested in the stories behind exceptional automobiles, CarBook Magazine’s automotive features continue to explore the engineering, heritage and remarkable ideas that shape the motoring world.
Today, the EB112 is more than a rare collector’s vehicle. It is a reminder that some of the automotive industry’s most extraordinary creations are the ones that almost never existed.
Only three were completed. One sold for nearly $2 million. And the Bugatti EB112 remains one of the most fascinating cars the world nearly forgot.
