Differences between Bugatti and Ferrari

Bugatti vs. Ferrari

Bugatti and Ferrari are manufacturers of high-performance sports cars. While both produce vehicles known for speed and design, their corporate philosophies, engineering approaches, and brand histories are distinct. Bugatti was founded in Molsheim, France, by Ettore Bugatti in 1909, while Ferrari was established in Maranello, Italy, in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari.

Bugatti's modern era, beginning with its acquisition by Volkswagen AG in 1998 and continuing under the joint venture Bugatti Rimac formed in 2021, centers on producing a very low volume of hypercars. These vehicles, such as the Veyron and Chiron, are noted for their powerful quad-turbocharged W16 engines and an emphasis on achieving high top speeds. Ferrari, in contrast, has origins deeply rooted in motorsport, particularly Formula One, where its racing division, Scuderia Ferrari, has competed since 1950. This racing heritage influences its road cars, which are known for their handling and driving dynamics. Ferrari produces cars in greater numbers than Bugatti and offers a wider range of models.

While both companies have histories in racing, their modern involvement differs. Ferrari maintains a continuous and central presence in Formula One. Bugatti had significant success in early Grand Prix racing, with the Type 35 winning over 1,000 races in the 1920s, but does not have a comparable factory racing program today.

Comparison Table

Category	Bugatti	Ferrari
Founder	Ettore Bugatti	Enzo Ferrari
Year Founded	1909	1939 (as Auto Avio Costruzioni)
Country of Origin	France (Molsheim)	Italy (Maranello)
Current Parent Company	Bugatti Rimac (55% Rimac Group, 45% Porsche AG)	Publicly traded (largest shareholder is Exor N.V.)
Brand Focus	Top speed, luxury, and engineering exclusivity	Motorsport heritage and driver engagement
Engine Philosophy	Quad-turbocharged W16 engines	High-revving V12 and V8 engines
Production Volume	Extremely low annual production	Higher, yet still exclusive, annual production
Motorsport Heritage	Early Grand Prix and Le Mans success	Continuous Formula One participation since 1950

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Bugatti and Ferrari

Corporate Structure and Production

Since 1998, Bugatti has been part of the Volkswagen Group. In 2021, a new joint venture was formed, Bugatti Rimac, with the Rimac Group holding a 55% stake and Porsche AG (a subsidiary of Volkswagen) holding the remaining 45%. Production remains at the company's headquarters in Molsheim, France. Bugatti's production is extremely limited; for example, in one year where Ferrari sold around 9,000 cars, Bugatti delivered 22.

Ferrari was a subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A. from 1963 until 2014. In 2016, Ferrari was spun off from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and became a publicly traded company. Its largest single shareholder is Exor N.V., the holding company of the Agnelli family, who were original founders of Fiat. Piero Ferrari, son of the founder, also holds a significant stake. The company's cars are manufactured exclusively in Maranello, Italy.

Powertrains

A key technical differentiator between the modern vehicles of the two brands is their engine configuration. Modern Bugatti models like the Veyron and Chiron are known for their 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 engine. This design consists of two narrow-angle V8 engine blocks joined together. In the Chiron, this engine produces approximately 1,500 horsepower.

Ferrari has a long history with naturally aspirated V12 engines. For example, the Ferrari 812 Superfast is equipped with a 6.5-liter V12 that produces around 789 horsepower. The company's focus has traditionally been on creating a balance of power, aerodynamics, and advanced electronics to deliver both speed and agility.