Game changer in Hypercar: Rimac wants to take over Bugatti completely
Image source: By Rimac Automobili - https://www.rimac-automobili.com/en/press/press-kit/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79968793
A real bombshell is on the horizon in the world of hypercars: Croatian electric car pioneer Rimac apparently wants to take full control of Bugatti - news that will electrify not only investors but also fans of high-performance sports cars. Rimac already controls the fate of the legendary brand via the "Bugatti Rimac" joint venture, but the planned move could finally reshuffle the balance of power in the luxury car market.
What does that mean for Bugatti? For Rimac? And above all: for the future of road-legal hypercars? We take a detailed look at this strategic coup.
The previous situation: Bugatti Rimac as a joint venture
To understand the scope of the planned takeover, we need to take a look back: In 2021, the "Bugatti Rimac" joint venture was founded with the aim of combining the innovative strength of Rimac with the traditional exclusivity of Bugatti .
The ownership structure was previously as follows:
Rimac Group: 55% of the shares
Porsche (Volkswagen AG): 45 %
At the same time, Porsche itself holds around 22% of Rimac
Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of the up-and-coming Croatian technology company, took over operational management. The Bugatti and Rimac brands were to exist in parallel, but exchange innovations and exploit synergies under one roof - particularly in the field of electrification and performance technology.
Now Rimac wants everything: The planned complete purchase
According to a report by the industry portal Vision-Mobility.de, Rimac is now planning the complete takeover of the Bugatti brand. CEO Mate Rimac confirmed at a presentation in Berlin that the move is currently "under negotiation" - specifically, a 100% takeover of Bugatti by the Rimac Group, the start-up's parent company.
The decisive subordinate clause: "The deal could still be concluded in 2024."
This would be a massive change in the structure of the joint venture - and a strategic liberation for Rimac.
Why this step now?
The time seems ripe. In recent years, Rimac has evolved from an exotic car to a serious technology leader in the field of high-performance electric vehicles. The Rimac Nevera is currently probably the most spectacular road-legal electric Hypercar in the world: 1,914 hp, 412 km/h top speed, 0-100 in under 2 seconds - and all fully electric.
In terms of technology, too, the company has long since ceased to operate solely for itself: Rimac is a supplier to major brands such as Porsche, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and even Automobili Pininfarina. Rimac's battery and drive systems are considered the benchmark for performance electromobility in the industry.
A complete Bugatti would only be logical - because Rimac not only wants to deliver technology, but also form a brand identity.
What does this mean for Bugatti?
For the traditional brand from Molsheim, which was founded by Ettore Bugatti in 1909 and has been synonymous with superlatives in automotive engineering since the Veyron (2005) at the latest, the change of ownership could mean a new beginning.
Rimac's influence on Bugatti's model strategy is already noticeable today:
The Bugatti Tourbillon will be the first model of the new era in 2026
It will not be a purely electric car, but a hybrid with a naturally aspirated V16 engine
Bugatti thus remains true to its roots, but at the same time opens up to the future
A complete takeover could further accelerate this development - with more agility, shorter decision-making paths and an even clearer vision for the Bugatti of the future.
Reactions from the industry: praise and skepticism
Reactions to the planned takeover have been mixed - but mostly positive.
Pro:
Strengthening innovative power: Rimac brings speed and technology without neglecting the Bugatti heritage.
Flexibility: Without VW bureaucracy, decisions could be made faster and more focused.
Brand identity remains intact: Rimac expressly emphasizes that it does not want to "trimacize" Bugatti .
Contra:
Risk of overexpansion: Can Rimac, as a young company, really run two superbrands in parallel?
Financial burden: Full control costs - and Rimac would have to convince additional investors.
Brand balance: How much will Bugatti change under Rimac - stylistically, technically, emotionally?
Nevertheless, the majority of experts believe that Rimac has what it takes to make Bugatti fit for the future.
Porsche remains on board (for the time being)
An interesting detail: Porsche will retain a stake in Rimac - despite the planned Bugatti. This is because the VW subsidiary continues to see the Croatian start-up as a strategically important partner.
This means that Rimac will not operate completely independently, but will continue to be embedded in a network of strong brands (and investors). At the same time, Porsche is likely to remain the "big brother", providing support where necessary - but no longer interfering directly in Bugatti 's brand management.
Outlook: A new era for hypercars?
If the takeover is completed as planned in 2024, a completely new era will begin in the Hypercar:
Bugatti under Rimac management could become a blueprint for combining tradition with innovation.
Full hybrids, plug-in hypercars or even purely electric Bugattis would be conceivable - but implemented with sensitivity.
The Rimac Nevera and the upcoming Bugatti Tourbillon could represent a kind of yin & yang of the Hypercar: Technology vs. emotion, electric vs. combustion - but at eye level.
For lovers of road-legal hypercars like the ones you present on your blog, this is one of the most exciting developments of recent years. The technological sophistication paired with an almost artistic understanding of the brand - that's what fans love.
Conclusion: A merger with a future - without losing its past
A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable for a young company like Rimac to take over the reins of a legendary brand like Bugatti . Today it is a realistic, almost logical step.
Mate Rimac shows that vision, a willingness to take risks and technological excellence can move mountains, even in the conservative automotive world. The plan to take over Bugatti completely is a bold one - but if anyone is ready for it, it is probably this man.
And perhaps that is precisely the magic of this story: that it is not just about horsepower and speed, but about courage, change and the ability to combine the best of two worlds.
