News Roundup: August 11, 2025

Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/LAvzw4g3nKw

Bugatti's Solitaire Move

Bugatti is taking their bespoke activities a step further with their new Solitaire program. It's similar to Bentley's Mulliner and Rolls-Royce's Bespoke divisions, who have also built extremely limited-run machines. As the name implies, Bugatti is building one-off vehicles for wealthy clientele, using existing Bugatti chassis and engine hardware--which means no SUVs and no V12s. The first entry is the Brouillard, based on the Mistral W16, and named for Ettore Bugatti's favorite horse. Developed in about 18 months, it uses the lights and glass from the Mistral but everything else on the outside is unique, from the carbon fiber body panels to the roof mounted, matte black machined aluminum air intakes. The interior is largely carried over, but features custom woven plaid fabric, green-tinted carbon fiber trim, and upholstery made with real horse hair. The gear shifter is machined from a single block of aluminum with a glass insert containing a miniature hand-crafted sculpture of Ettore’s horse. The rumored price is over $10M; Bugatti notes that “[designing a one-off] requires the same amount of engineering, research and testing, development, and tooling that would go into making a series of cars”.

WHY IT MATTERS: Both Ferrari and Bentley have noted their bespoke business is a significant contributor to the bottom line, so this is potentially new revenue for the boutique automaker. It also provides the ultra-ultra-rich with the opportunity to get something with far more performance than Bentley or Rolls Royce could ever provide.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Bugatti has certainly raised the bar, with something even more exclusive than Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini have provided--so far...

Buick Electra Orbit Concept

With the Electra new-energy sub-brand released last year--alas, only for China--Buick is now exploring opportunities for future models like the Electra Orbit flagship sedan concept. This 50s/60s inspired fastback owes a little to the Citroen DS (as well as the boattail Riviera), with triple front lighting elements that echo the Riviera Silver Arrow concept from the early 1970s. The front and rear doors open scissor-style, like the Lamborghini Portofino concept, and inside is room for four with a divided rear compartment and a holographic globe floating above the center of the dashboard.

WHY IT MATTERS: Although Buick is out of the car business in the US, they still sell cars in China, and this entry could compete with some of the newer large electric sedans coming from Chinese brands like AVATR and Xpeng. It also suggests a newer, bolder design direction for the brand.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A stunning flagship that is, alas, apparently destined to remain a concept--but here's hoping that future Buicks pick up some of the ideas shown here.

Dodge Charger Sixpack

As sales of the Charger Daytona EV sputter, Dodge has finally revealed the ICE counterpart. Using a badge from the 1960s, the Sixpack now refers to the six-cylinder Hurricane twin-turbo engine under the hood. Offered in 420 hp R/T or 550 hp ScatPack variants, the Charger Sixpack starts at about $52K--or roughly the same price as last year's AWD, wide-bodied Dodge Challenger (which was 500 lbs lighter but also less roomy). The Charger ScatPack hits 60 mph in 3.9 sec, about half a second slower than its EV counterpart, and lacks the EV's R-wing front end design. Asked about the possibility of a Hemi Charger, Dodge's CEO said, "We’re just getting started. I’ll let you come up here and take a look and get your tape measure out. But, uh, don’t be surprised if it would fit.”

WHY IT MATTERS: The Charger Daytona R/T is already dead, so the Sixpack is desperately needed to bring volume to Chrysler dealers--and also to waiting police fleets around the country who don't want to go electric. And, while the Charger Coupe is significantly larger and heavier than the Mustang, it does give the brand a true muscle car (a market that Chevrolet has already abandoned).

THE BOTTOM LINE: It's no longer a pony car, but you get a lot of performance and technology for your money--and it remains to be seen how much lower Charger Daytona sales will fall given the Sixpack's compelling package...

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