Bugatti Galibier 16C Sport Sedan Trademark Application

DETAILS OF A trademark application submitted by Bugatti/Volkswagen to the World Intellectual Property Organisation have surfaced online today, concerning the carmaker's Galibier 16C concept.

While not necessarily a sign that the Galibier 16C is headed for production, the existence of the application at least shows that Bugatti is covering its bases for the future.

The trademark reveals little in the way of new details, being specifically for the already revealed concept.

Reportedly one of three concepts that Bugatti is currently considering for production, the Galibier is expected to make use of the Veyron’s 8.0 litre W16 engine. Photos and video of the concept first appeared in September.

According to an earlier Bugatti release, the Galibier's W16 engine would be supercharged to 596kW and mounted in the nose rather than in the rear of the car.

An eight-speed automatic gearbox is expected to take the place of the Veyron’s sophisticated twin-clutch transmission.

A four-seater, the Galibier is built upon a four-door platform made of aluminium and -ibre, using construction methods similar to that employed in the Veyron.

Styling is unmistakeably Bugatti and, like the Bordeaux, the Galibier features a subtle homage to the classic Type 57 Atlantique in a ventral ’spine’ that runs over the entire body.

A timeline for the launch of a Bugatti sedan is still some distance away from being announced, but a decision on whether to put the Galibier into production is expected to be made in the first half of 2010.

With production of the Veyron still likely to continue for three more years, don’t expect to see a Bugatti four-door on the road until 2013.