<< Prev Page 2 of 2 To best suit the Turbocharged engine's characteristics, a 6 speed manual gearbox was fitted. It ensured that the revs could be kept in the 3500+ rpm area after shifting up. The incredible amount of horsepower and torque were delivered to the road through all four wheels. The permanent four wheel drive delivers 27% of the power to the front wheels and the other 73% to the rears. Plenty of stopping power is provided by large ventilated Brembo discs.
Complementing the initial EB 110 GT, was the EB 110 ss, for Super Sport. The ss took the GT's performance one step further. With 650 bhp on the tap, the ss was a genuine race car for the road. Some styling cues distinguished the GT and ss, most notably the air holes behind the side windows on the ss and a fixed rear wing. Seven spoke alloy wheels replaced the BBS wheels found on the GT.
Some serious changes in the sportscar racing regulations gave road car derived racers a good chance at an overall victory at Le Mans again. French publisher Michel Hommell took it upon himself to converted a EB 110 ss to racing specification for the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans. Much of the development was focused on getting the weight down as much as possible; some 300 kg were shaved off compared to the road car. To comply with the regulations engine performance was slightly restricted to 600 bhp, which was available all the way between 6200 and 7200 rpm.
Fiftyfive years after the marque's last appearance Bugatti was back on the legendary track. It was not very likely that the EB 110 could repeat the victorious performance of 1939, but anticipation was still high. Behind the wheel were the experienced Alain Cudini and young guns Eric Helary and Jean-Christoph Bouillon. After a 15th position in qualifying the team gradually worked their way up to sixth place before a Turbocharger failed at the creek of dawn. Over an hour was lost and the car finally retired after Bouillon lost control in the second chicane of the Hunaudieres straight.
After the race Bugatti EB 110 s/n 016 was completely repaired, but never fielded again. Michel Hommell retired it to his 'Manoir de l'Automobile' museum in Loheac, France. In 1995 another EB 110 was prepared for racing and had some good outings in North American races, but never made it to Le Mans. With the current VW Bugatti line-up, it is unlikely that the French manufacturer will return to motor racing anytime soon.
Featured is the Michel Hommell EB 110, which made a rare appearance outside of the Museum at the 2006 Retromobile show in Paris where it was displayed on the Bugatti Club stand. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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EB 110 SS Le Mans
To best suit the Turbocharged engine's characteristics, a 6 speed manual gearbox was fitted. It ensured that the revs could be kept in the 3500+ rpm area after shifting up. The incredible amount of horsepower and torque were delivered to the road through all four wheels. The permanent four wheel drive delivers 27% of the power to the front wheels and the other 73% to the rears. Plenty of stopping power is provided by large ventilated Brembo discs.