Bugatti’s Director of Design, Achim Anscheidt, bids farewell after an illustrious 19-year tenure overseeing the stylistic evolution of the Bugatti brand. His retirement comes as the brand prepares to introduce the new hybridized Chiron successor.
As a senior advisor to Bugatti Rimac CEO, Mate Rimac, Anscheidt will continue to contribute his expertise. Taking over the position of Bugatti Director of Design is Frank Heyl, who has been Achim’s trusted deputy for a long time.
The highly anticipated successor to the Chiron has been in the design phase for over two years and is set to be unveiled in 2024, with its official launch planned for 2026.
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Under Achim’s leadership, Bugatti’s design team played a pivotal role in revitalizing the coachbuilding tradition, resulting in some of the most stunning Bugatti cars ever created. With the Chiron’s modern-day coachbuilding era, marked by variations of the Chiron powertrain and chassis, iconic designs like Divo, Centodieci, the unique La Voiture Noire, the Bolide, and the Mistral were born.
Achim’s careful guidance has transformed Bugatti’s modern-day design into something that evokes wonder and joy for those fortunate enough to encounter these automotive marvels on the roads.
With an intentional elegance and regal demeanor, Bugattis stand as automotive masterpieces, showcasing a harmonious blend of beauty and power, evident in their expertly sculpted organic bodywork.
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The Bugatti experience is unparalleled, leaving onlookers with a sense of automotive excellence. The brand’s DNA remains distinct and unmistakable, featuring core elements that Achim has artfully incorporated into every model he has designed, including those yet to be unveiled.
Central to Bugatti’s brand identity is the iconic horseshoe grille, a cherished symbol of the company’s heritage, along with the duotone split, famously utilized by Jean Bugatti on the Type 57 creations. The universally recognizable ‘Bugatti Line’ defines the side profile of modern-day Bugattis, subtly refined over time to suit each individual creation.
Moreover, the expressive center line, tracing from the arching crown of the horseshoe grille to the rear, pays homage to the full-length fin of the Type 57 SC Atlantic, reflecting the brand’s history and purpose.
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With the design future of Bugatti secure under Achim’s leadership, the reins are confidently handed over to Frank Heyl, his long-time deputy. A highly skilled vehicle designer, Heyl honed his craft at the Royal College of Art in London before joining Bugatti in 2008.
Throughout his journey at Bugatti, he played a significant role in designing notable vehicles such as the Veyron Supersport, Vision Gran Turismo, Chiron, and Divo. Having risen to the position of Head of Exterior Design in 2014 and Deputy Design Director in 2019, Frank is well-prepared to lead the Bugatti design team.
Collaborating closely with the Bugatti Rimac design and engineering facility in Berlin, overseen by Jan Schmid, and the Zagreb operation, led by Ignacio Martinez, Frank is poised to continue Bugatti’s legacy of exceptional design and engineering expertise.
