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Bugatti demonstrates individuality with the one-off Bugatti Divo Lady Bug
No, it's not a beetle, although the geometric pattern on the paintwork of the Bugatti Divo Lady Bug could be reminiscent of a ladybug. The client and collector from the USA had in mind a strictly geometric grid of diamond-shaped diamonds in a special color contrast.
Together with him, the Bugatti design and development team then developed the special colors "Customer Special Red" and "Graphite". Both metallic tones intended to contrast the effect. The diamond pattern should run from the front over the sides to the rear. Precisely and adapted to the silhouette of the Divo.
The French Divo becomes a Californian ladybug
Nobody at Bugatti had any idea of the complexity of the implementation. Because of the three-dimensional, sculptural form of the Divo with its curvatures, curves and beads, the diamonds of the 2D print on the surface of the exclusive hyper sports car were distorted. They therefore had to be digitally adapted. A millimeter difference was already enough to destroy the overall impression of the optics. Finally, CAD modelers simulate a design of the diamond pattern. 1.600 diamonds were created.
Lady Bug as a 3D sculpture
The bow was a special challenge and an unforgettable experience at the same time. Due to the nature of the project, applying a 2D graphic to a 3D sculpture, after several failed ideas and attempts to apply the diamonds, we were close to giving up and saying: We cannot implement the customer's request, explains Jörg Grumer, Head of color & trim in Bugatti design.
But in the end, the team managed to put the whole thing into practice. The diamonds in the foil have been released and transferred to a transfer foil, which is then glued to the body. Each of the approximately 1.600 diamonds is checked and partially realigned.
Several thousand hours of work
When the Bugatti Divo Lady Bug was finally processed, no major complications arose. For several days, employees checked each rhombus for its exact fit. Some of them recut it by hand or exchanged the shapes. This was followed by the actual painting work and the laborious removal of each individual diamond.
The effect paint "Customer Special Red" is followed by "Graphite" and clear coat to invert the structure. In between: sanding, leveling, checking, correcting and sanding again. The lacquer artist needed more than two weeks until the result of his work was finally perfect.
Multi-layer paint structure ensures depth and color brilliance
The multi-layer paint structure now embeds the ruby-colored diamonds in an anthracite-colored gradient. The multiple leveling of the pattern creates an unusual depth and color brilliance in French Bugatti Divo.
The Californian Marian buyer is striking. Whether he will ever see the Californian sun remains an open question. Although beetles basically tolerate the light and heat well.