Bugatti DMD80

The Bugatti DMD80 is a design proposal from Marcello Gandini for the Bugatti EB110. In 1989, Bugatti sent chassis drawings for the future EB110 to four Italian design firms: Paolo Martin, Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Italdesign, Bertone, and Marcello Gandini. Engineer Paolo Stanzani provided specific guidelines for the design: the car should have compact dimensions (4.10 meters in length) and a lengthwise, compact engine configuration to accommodate the integration of the six-speed gearbox parallel to the engine block. Stanzani also devised several aerodynamic techniques to ensure the car had substantial grip. One such method involved directing the air stream under the front of the car, where it was used for radiator cooling, and then extracting it through a large rear diffuser. This approach aimed to enhance the car’s stability and cooling efficiency. Marcello Gandini’s first concept proposal for the Bugatti EB110 was the Bugatti DMD80. Gandini, known for his sharp and angular designs, initially presented a vision that aligned closely with his previous works, which included iconic Lamborghini models. However, Romano Artioli, who was leading Bugatti at the time, was not satisfied with Gandini’s proposal, feeling it resembled another Lamborghini too closely. Despite this, Gandini’s proposal laid the groundwork for the final design of the EB110. The design was subsequently modified by Giampaolo Benedini, who refined Gandini’s initial concept into the production version of the EB110, blending Gandini’s aggressive lines with a more distinctive and unique Bugatti aesthetic. The Bugatti DMD80 thus represents an essential step in the development of the EB110, showcasing the collaborative and iterative process that ultimately led to the creation of one of the most celebrated supercars of the 1990s.