High-performance aesthetics

Who are you—and what drives you?

My name is Emilio Scervo, I am Chief Technical Officer at Bugatti and I am very passionate about my job. It started when I was a child. I grew up in a small town, and my uncle had the only Alfa Romeo repair shop there. I was there every weekend, smelling the engine oil and constantly surrounded by cars. At university, I studied aerospace engineering because I've always been fascinated by high-tech – first aerodynamics, then everything else. What drives me is pushing boundaries, challenging myself and my team, and remaining open to how a product can look. It goes without saying that we uphold Bugatti's brand values. A Bugatti needs to be incomparable.

And who are you outside of work?

I am the father of two children, married to a wonderful woman, and I attach great importance to maintaining a balance between my professional and private life. No matter where I am, I spend my weekends at home with my family.

And during the week: How do you feel when you work on the vehicles?

It's a great emotion – this connection to history, to the products, and to what the entire brand represents. I simply love cars, and for me, this role means working at the very top of the automotive world. I am proud to develop products that convey not only performance but also emotion. That's what distinguishes Bugatti from Formula 1, for example – there, it's all about technology. A Bugatti, on the other hand, has to combine technology, performance, and emotion – in its design, its sound, and the driving experience.

So despite your role as head of technology, it's not your analytical view that prevails, but rather your holistic feeling?

Absolutely! I always start my work with a broad view, because I come from the field of concept and architecture development. Excellent products can be recognized by the fact that everything comes together harmoniously – the design, the proportions, the technical implementation. The closer I look at the car, the more interested I am in the detailed solutions. This is where you can see whether an engineer loves his work or is just doing his job by the book.

So does an engineer have to be passionate to do a good job?

The best people in my team are also the most passionate. They go the extra mile because they simply love what they do. Anyone who sees this profession as just a job and looks soberly at the numbers will never deliver what Bugatti needs. Passion is the real driving force – and worth more than all the money in the world.

Are these engineers – and thus the pursuit of perfection – a unique selling point for Bugatti?

I think so. We combine technological excellence with artistic vision. Our design department and engineering work hand in hand. The design team never thinks solely in terms of form, but always considers function as well. And our engineers pay attention to aesthetics: even components under the bodywork should not only function, but also look perfect. This attention to detail is what makes Bugatti unique.

How does Bugatti manage to stay at the forefront of technology? With think tanks? Elite teams? Or something else entirely?

Neither. We do things very, very differently – we don't have an innovation department at all! (laughs) Every engineer is equally responsible for innovation. I don't want anyone to blindly rely on others. Everyone in our team is allowed and encouraged to contribute ideas; we actively promote this bottom-up innovation. The right attitude is also important here: I want team players who constantly challenge themselves and me.

Which detail of the Tourbillon do you consider particularly artistic?

We decided early on to use an analog cockpit, because displays age quickly, but an analog clock, for example, is still desirable even after a century. In our view, this philosophy also increases the value of this car and consolidates it with regard to time. At the beginning, we had no idea how to implement this technically. But we soon found the right way – thanks in part to watchmakers from Switzerland.

So does a product have to be analog to be more than just a machine? Is that the path to timelessness?

A resounding yes. As humans, we ourselves are “analog” – and alive. Analog things appeal to our senses differently and much more directly. It's about art, about craftsmanship. The Bugatti Tourbillon naturally features state-of-the-art technology, but this serves solely to make the connection between driver, car, and road more tangible – not to artificially distort it.

Art instead of artificiality, and technology in the service of emotion?

Exactly. Technology should enhance the emotional experience – not replace it.

Does that mean that performance data is secondary for you?

(Laughs) No, performance remains central – but it serves the experience. Our drive technologies enable the incomparable feeling when accelerating or cornering.

In this context, how do you see the transition from the W16 to the new V16 engine?

I joined Bugatti in the middle of the transition phase and completely understand the emotional attachment many people have to the W16 – it's a truly magnificent engine. But I'm simply focused on the future. I've driven the Tourbillon prototype several times, and the interplay between the high-revving V16 and the electric motor is simply incomparable. And despite its hybrid technology, the Tourbillon is lighter than its predecessor. That is the essence of this much-cited engineering artistry.

What role does the new technical alliance with Rimac play here? Is it acceptable to mention “Rimac” in the same sentence as “Tourbillon”?

Let me answer that this way: a Bugatti remains a Bugatti. Of course, Rimac's expertise in electrical engineering is helping with the transformation, but the development of the Tourbillon is clearly in Bugatti's hands.

Will Bugatti ever go fully electric?

Not in the foreseeable future. An electric car can be exciting – because of its acceleration. But as I said, a Bugatti thrives on mechanical fascination, on sound, on complexity. And that will remain the case for a long time to come.

So can sustainable success only come from a great past?

No, but a strong brand like Bugatti and the right attitude are the perfect combination. Our heritage inspires us, but only with the right mindset can we move forward into the future.

Let's talk about the Bolide. It was built around the legendary W16 engine. Is that a CTO's dream?

Yes, absolutely. But the Bolide was practically a completely new car. We had to rework everything: the engine, the transmission, the aerodynamics. And even though it has 1,600 hp and generates three tons of downforce, it's amazingly easy to drive. That was exactly our goal. It was a huge challenge to find technologies that would enable us to achieve both the low weight and the aerodynamic performance of the car.

You just mentioned that the Bolide is easy to drive. Really? Who wouldn't be intimidated by its ultimate performance?

The car is actually extremely easy to drive. If you're not a professional driver, you can put on your racing suit, just get in the car, get some coaching, and then enjoy it. It's a monster—and yet you can drive it almost like a normal car. It's incredible! And I think that's our greatest achievement.