The subject of Bugatti's next model has been a topic of much speculation ever since the four-door Galibier concept was revealed back in 2009.
However, a recent report by UK's Top Gear magazine suggests work is now indeed underway on an all-new Bugatti, and that it will neither be a next-gen Veyron, or a production version of the Galibier (pictured).
The magazine quotes VW Group design chief Walter de Silva as saying "We're working hard at Bugatti, but don't worry, it [the new model] is coming. I cannot predict exactly, but at the end of 2015 or early 2016, we'll see the new Bugatti."
De Silva conceded the new model would not be a Veyron successor, but the only clues he provided were that it would have to "redefine the benchmarks".
This is certainly something the Veyron did when it debuted in 2005. At that time, the notion of a road-going car with 1001hp (736kW) and 400km/h-plus capability seemed the stuff of science fiction.
No less eye-opening were the Veyron's braking capabilities, refinement, user-friendliness and packaging excellence (considering the car packs an 8.0-1itre 16-cylinder engine and a quartet of turbochargers).
"For me, Bugatti is not a car," de Silva said, "it is a piece of art. You have to understand this. You are in another range when you talk about Bugatti. No, forget that, you play in another league with Bugatti. When you buy a Bugatti, you buy a piece of art. It's a story, and I would like to transfer the Bugatti idea in this way."
Although the four-door Galibier seemed a plausible concept when it debuted in 2009, Bugatti boss Wolfgang Schreiber told Top Gear it wasn't a production-worthy prospect.
"We have talked many, many times about the Galibier, but this car will not come because it would confuse our customers," Dr Schreiber said. "With the Veyron, we placed Bugatti on top of all super sportscar brands in the whole world. Everyone knows that Bugatti is the ultimate super sportscar."
A 'Super Veyron' is also not on the cards, according to Schreiber, as he says the 883kW Veyron Super Sport had already stretched the power and speed envelope as far as possible with its 431km/h capability.
For the time being, the company's focus is on running out the last few examples of the existing Veyron, of which production is limited to 450 cars. The coupes (capped at 300 units) have already sold out, but as of February this year, there were still 40 of the 150 roadsters up for grabs.