The automotive world is marking a defining moment: 20 years since the debut of the Bugatti Veyron, the car widely regarded as the world’s first true hypercar. To celebrate this milestone—and to explore a compelling alternate history—Bugatti has unveiled a one-off creation known as the F.K.P. Hommage, developed in collaboration with an anonymous European collector. This extraordinary vehicle honors not only the Veyron itself, but also the towering legacy of Dr.Ferdinand Karl Piëch, the former Volkswagen Group chairman whose ambition, vision, and unwavering support made the Veyron—and Bugatti’s modern rebirth—possible.

Dr. Piëch’s influence on Bugatti’s resurgence is legendary. His now-mythic concept sketch of an extreme W-engine layout, reportedly drawn on a napkin during a train journey, ultimately evolved into the Veyron’s quad-turbocharged W-16 powertrain. Early plans considered a W-18, but the final W-16 configuration was chosen to meet Piëch’s uncompromising targets: 1,000 PS and a top speed exceeding 400 km/h. At a time when Bugatti was still finding its footing after Volkswagen acquired the marque in 1998, the Veyron became the statement of intent. Following the unveiling of the EB18/4 Veyron concept in Tokyo in 2001, production was approved, and in 2005 the first Veyron emerged—named after Pierre Veyron, a revered Bugatti engineer and racing driver. It would go on to redefine performance benchmarks, producing 922 lb-ft of torque and recording an average top speed of 253.81 mph.

Reimagining a Veyron That Never Was

The F.K.P. Hommage is the result of Bugatti’s ultra-exclusive Programme Solitaire, a bespoke initiative that allows select clients to commission singular, tailor-made vehicles—echoing the marque’s coachbuilding tradition from the early 20th century. This particular project answers a tantalizing question: what if the Veyron had continued to evolve instead of giving way to the Chiron in 2017? The Hommage represents that hypothetical final chapter, drawing inspiration from development paths that were reportedly explored—but ultimately abandoned—before the Chiron era began.

Although the car is built upon the advanced platform of the Chiron Super Sport, it faithfully preserves the unmistakable proportions and elegance of the original Veyron. Extensive reference was made to original design sketches and plans, resulting in a silhouette that disguises its modern foundations. Subtle distinctions include newly designed headlights and taillights, while the wheels, tires, and braking system are sourced directly from the Chiron Super Sport. Even so, the wheels are custom-made to replicate the Veyron’s iconic 12-spoke design, resized to modern 20-inch fronts and 21-inch rears to house massive eight-piston brake calipers capable of handling speeds beyond 250 mph.

Beneath its familiar exterior lies the Chiron Super Sport’s uprated W-16 engine, now producing an astonishing 1,600 horsepower. Enlarged air intakes and outlets enhance cooling, while a redesigned ram-air induction system—visually inspired by the Veyron—required extensive re-engineering and recalibration. Despite its extreme performance, the F.K.P. Hommage is fully road legal in Europe, emissions-compliant, and homologated as a 2027 model, allowing its owner to drive it alongside their original Veyron. Aerodynamically, the car retains the Veyron’s signature retractable rear wing, paired with a larger rear diffuser and active front diffuser flaps to ensure stability and adjustable downforce at very high speeds.

Bespoke Craftsmanship and a Hidden Masterpiece

The exterior finish of the F.K.P. Hommage is a showcase of Bugatti’s modern paint artistry. To precisely match the owner’s original 2005 Veyron, the red bodywork is created using multiple layers of liquid silver beneath a red-tinted clear coat, while the black sections reveal exposed carbon fiber treated with a dark tint. Polished and anodized aluminum accents—including the wheels—complete the livery, perfectly mirroring the original Veyron’s color scheme.

Inside, Bugatti continued the theme of historical continuity. Leather sourced from the owner’s original Veyron is used throughout the cabin, paired with bespoke French fabrics and custom detailing inspired by unrealized continuation plans from the Veyron era. A standout feature is a three-dimensional reinterpretation of Bugatti’s iconic horseshoe medallion, serving as the focal point of the interior.

Embedded within this medallion is perhaps the most remarkable detail of all: a 41mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon, subtly revealing the taste—and stature—of the anonymous owner. To accommodate this ultra-rare timepiece, Bugatti engineered a sophisticated rotating gondola system that continuously winds the watch by rotating it along a diagonal axis, similar to high-end automated winding displays. When the vehicle is locked, the mechanism discreetly rotates the watch out of sight, securing it within the dash.

Bugatti has declined to disclose the identity of the owner or the cost of the project, underscoring the exclusivity of the F.K.P. Hommage. The prototype will be publicly displayed at the 2026 Retromobile show in Paris, after which the completed car will join the owner’s private collection alongside their matching Veyron. As a tribute to both the car that redefined performance and the man who dared Bugatti to dream bigger, the F.K.P. Hommage stands as a fitting and deeply personal celebration—one that Dr. Ferdinand Piëch himself would almost certainly have endorsed.