Bugatti's Sur Mesure Creates One-of-a-Kind W16 Mistral 'Le Retour du Jeune Prince'
Bugatti's Sur Mesure program has created a unique W16 Mistral roadster named 'Le Retour du Jeune Prince,' a personal homage inspired by the client's own literary sequel to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic.
2023
What Happened
Sur Mesure is Bugatti's program for bespoke customizations. The W16 Mistral 'Le Retour du Jeune Prince' was commissioned by a Bugatti collector who wrote a sequel to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's 'The Little Prince.' The project began in October 2023 in Molsheim, where the client worked with Bugatti's design team to capture the poetic beauty of the moon and stars as themes for the car.
The exterior features a custom copper-bronze paint with a silver shimmer, reflecting the moon's light. The horseshoe grille has redesigned inner lines that follow the hood's upward sweep. Gold accents adorn the grille's Bugatti macaron, copper brake calipers and EB wheel emblems add harmony. The rear fenders and wing display hand-applied silver stars, and when the wing extends, a hidden drawing of the prince and fox appears as a nod to the original story.
Inside, the cabin is upholstered in two leather tones: light 'Terre d'Or' and darker 'Driftwood.' Door panels feature embroidered moon and star motifs, while the center console has star-inspired details set in brown carbon fiber. The gear lever houses a miniature silver rose, based on a 3D scan of a real rose, symbolizing tenderness and memory. Every element ties the interior to the literary universe.
Why this matters
This custom car demonstrates how Bugatti's personalization program can turn a client's narrative into a tangible, handcrafted vehicle, underscoring the luxury brand's focus on bespoke artistry and emotional connection.
Terms in This Story
- Sur Mesure
- French for 'custom-made'; Bugatti's personalization program offering bespoke interior and exterior options.
- Macaron
- The oval Bugatti logo badge often placed on the grille.
- Horseshoe grille
- Bugatti's signature U-shaped front grille design, a brand hallmark since the early models.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.