The Bugatti symbol is not just a representation of the globally known German car brand. It is also an emblem of excellence and innovation in the automotive world. The Bugatti emblem carries with it a history as fascinating as the vehicles it produces. It is easily recognizable, all thanks to its distinctive oval-shaped logo with a printed background featuring the brand’s name.
It surely may not be one of the most stylish car brand logos out there, but still, one cannot ignore its presence. This iconic symbol represents a legacy of luxury and performance that dates back to the early 20th century. What’s astounding is that Bugatti still uses its first logo, designed by Ettore Bugatti, who was the founder of the company. Where other top car makers are always playing with their brand’s identity, Bugatti has stood firm on its history.
In this article, we are going to explore the Bugatti symbol, trace its evolution, design choices and their underlying meanings, and more.
Are you ready to drive back to a century ago and walk through with me, exploring the evolution of the Bugatti logo?
A Historical Overview of Bugatti
Bugatti is one of the oldest automobile makers in the world. The company was founded as Automobiles Ettore Bugatti in 1909 by Italian-born automotive designer Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim, which is now in France.
This company quickly distinguished itself with its high-performance vehicles. It marked its entry into the automotive world with the delivery of its first models in 1910. It produced a total of five cars in the same year.
1911
Since its dawn, Bugatti has been extremely active in car racing. By 1911, the company already had numerous racing victories under its belt, including the French Grand Prix with its Model. This is the period that also saw the beginning of Bugatti’s long-standing tradition of participating in motorsports.
What’s impressive is that Bugatti has never limited itself. In 1911, this German automaker entered into a contract with Peugeot to build the iconic Bebe Peugeot with a Model 19 Engine.
1913
In addition, in 1913, the company started producing airplane engines as a contribution to help out in the world war. This step helped Ettore Bugatti raise capital to increase production and hire more employees.
1920s
As World War I was finally over, Bugatti was employing over 1000 workers at its base, the Mosheim Plant. The brand even won the Voiturettes Grand Prix, manufactured the 29/30 race car, and produced the Model 35. The Model 35 was Bugatti’s first model that came with aluminum spoke wheels.
1930s
Unfortunately, the 1930s decade proved to be hard for the company. But with indulging itself in producing trains and railcars, the company was getting back on solid financial footing.
However, the company faced more financial difficulties towards the end of the 1930s as its entire workforce ceased work and demanded more pay and better working conditions. Furious with such actions, Ettorre shifted his office to Paris, but this did not help the company with its struggles.
During this stressful time, Ettore participated in Le Mans and became victorious. However, the joy was cut short by the tragedy of his son dying in a car accident.
1940s
After the death of his son, Ettore was completely scarred. He was unable to resolve the rift at the Molsheim plant, leading to zero production. Plus, Ettori died of lung disease in 1947.
1950s
Bugatti, without a leader, was unable to maintain its earlier success and made its last appearance at the Paris Motor Show in 1952. After this, the brand ceased its operations.
Roland Bugatti, one of the three sons of Ettore Bugatti, attempted to revive the company in 1955. He produced a Type 251 race car. However, this model was unable to meet the required expectations, leading to its seizure.
1960s
The decade of the 1960s was a ‘Black Period’ for this now extravagant car brand. It was sold to Hispano-Suiza, a Spanish automotive company that continued manufacturing airplane engines and parts under the Bugatti name.
1980s
By the end of the 1980s, Bugatti saw another major change in its demography. The brand was purchased by the Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli in 1987.
First, he rebranded the company with a new name: ‘Bugatti Automobili SpA’. With help from the designers of the Lamborghini Miura and Lamborghini Countach concepts, Bugatti introduced its new build under its new name, the EB110 GT, in 1992.
However, only three years later, the company was forced to cease its operations due to poor economic conditions.
1990s
Bugatti inhaled another breath of fresh air in 1998 when it was acquired by the world’s biggest automobile brand, Volkswagen AG. The new owners renamed the company ‘Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.’
This acquisition brought Bugatti its long-time dead luck back. And since then, this automaker has introduced many great concepts, including the 18/3 Chiron, EB118, and EB218.
Present
Despite so many hardships down the road, Bugatti has finally achieved the success that its founder had in mind. This car manufacturer is known for producing limited editions and one of the best luxury performance models in the world.
Despite all the changes and evolution this car maker went through, the only thing that has remained constant is its logo. The entire Bugatti family is dead, so the only connection this brand has to its roots is its logo, which is the true symbol for Bugatti.
The Bugatti Company Logo
Ettore Bugaati started the Bugatti automobile company with the aim of building aesthetically beautiful and high-performance cars. For this, he poured his vision not only into building the cars but also into making the company’s image.
He had the logo designed for the company by his father, Carlo Bugatti, who perfectly captured the essence of his son’s vision and gave the world a logo that reflected the company’s ethos of luxury and precision engineering. The simplicity and quality of the Bugatti symbol or emblem are the reasons why the brand still uses it. Over the years, it has undergone minimal changes.
What I liked about such an influential automotive brand’s consistency is that it takes pride in its heritage and the timeless nature of its values.
The Elements of the Bugatti Emblem
Although the logo of one of the most popular German car brands is deemed simple, we cannot ignore the fact that it is distinctive, easily recognizable, and carries a wealth of meaning within it.
Below, we are going to take a closer look at the key elements of this globally acclaimed car brand logo.
The Oval Shape
This brand logo features an oval shape, which is both elegant and classic. This shape envelops the brand’s philosophy of combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The oval shape is a proud nod to the vintage era of automobile design, taking us back to the early 20th century when the company was founded.
The Red Background
The red background of the symbol represents passion, power, and energy. These are the core elements of Bugatti cars. The red color is generally associated with thrills, excitement, and high performance. And in the logo, it perfectly describes the thrilling experience of driving a Bugatti.
The Sixty Dots
One of the most intriguing aspects of this automaker’s logo is the series of sixty red dots that border the oval. The dots represent pearls, which are a premium symbol of luxury and exclusivity. In addition, these sixty dots are a tribute to the diligent craftsmanship that goes into building every Bugatti vehicle, thus highlighting the automaker’s attention to detail and commitment to perfection.
The Bugatti Name
At the center of the emblem sits the name “Bugatti” in bold, white letters. The font used is simple, but its power is immense. It easily conveys a sense of strength and reliability. Above the name sits the initials “EB,” which stand for the founder of the brand.
This personal touch by Carl Bugatti while designing the logo cleverly pays homage to the man whose innovation and passion gave the world one of its most cherished and top-tier car brands.
The Evolution Of The Bugatti Company Logo
The core elements of the Bugatti logo—the oval shape, name, emblem, and dots—have largely remained unchanged. There have only been subtle refinements over the years to modernize the symbol while still retaining its classic essence.
These minor changes over the years have been made so that the first presenter of the company resonates well with contemporary audiences.
Early Designs
The earliest logos of this automaker were more intricate, majorly reflecting the ornate design trends of the early 1900s. Not only this, but these designs were highly influenced by Art Nouveau. It was a movement known for its use of organic forms and decorative style.
Modern Iterations
In recent years, the present owner of Bugatti has worked on streamlining the brand’s century-old logo to align it more with modern design aesthetics.
The most notable changes have been in the clarity and simplicity of the emblem, making it stand out more than before, especially in digital and print media formats.
But what really needs to be appreciated here is that the Volkswagen Group has not messed with the core elements of the design, preserving the brand’s heritage and stories of struggle.
In conclusion, the Bugatti symbol is more than just a mere logo for the company. It honors the brand’s century of automotive excellence. All Bugatti cars, from the first Type 35 to the modern Chiron, carry this emblem, signifying Bugatti’s unwavering commitment to speed, luxury, and innovation.
This simple yet elegant design thoughtfully encapsulates the essence of the company. This timeless representation shows that a company is open to change but will never forget its roots.
