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The
A2 prototype was the second aluminium chassis prototype built
in may 1990, powered with the quadriturbo V12 engine. The
A2 car will become the reference for the test rides because the
test driver Loris Bicocchi notes: "We noticed differences
among the various prototypes, and therefore Jean-Philippe Vittecoq
and I chose to have all improvements consistently put on the A2.
In doing so, we could pass judgment in the best possible way".
After the dismantling of the A1 car, a new numerotation was set
up and the A2 car was numbered 39001. The first configuration
of the car was 17'
wheels, black aeration grid on the hood (no vents), air wing in
upper position. The
car is transport to the Monza track the 14th of january 1991,
with a part of the development staf : Rajmis, Bicocchi and Vittecoq. This proto was licensed MO 2021.
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After
curing the child's diseases, the test drivers soon detect two
shortcomings: on the one hand, the 17-inch MXX tires developed
by Michelin are not large enough to pass all the engine power
on to the asphalt and on the other hand, the chassis has a tendency
to bend. In April, Michelin handles the tire issue by mounting
new 18-inch tires (of 325/30x18 at the back) for which the wheel
passages has to be broadened.
In this second configuration, the car has almost
definitive EB110 GT design rims (inspired by the only 4WD Bugatti
of Molsheim, the 1932 Type 53) and on the front hood, the black
aeration grid is replaced by horizontal vents, the back air wing
is set in a lower position.
In 1991 september 14th, the presentation of the future production
model, the Benedini EB110 GT, takes place in Paris at La Défense
square. For some special guests, a buffet is organized at the
Centre International de l'Automobile, in Pantin and the
39001 car is especially exhibited, with the A4 car. 39001 is used
to escort the EB110 prototype (39005) drive by Jean Philippe Vittecoq
with Alain Delon as passenger along the Champs Elysées.
The september 15th, the car is bring to Molsheim for a special
presentation in the heart of the Bugatti history. |
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Tests
continues on the car, with a third (and last one) configuration
: Naca Air intakes on the side of the front bonnet, circular holes
on the side of the lights, squared air intakes for brakes cooling
in the front spoiler. Bucket seats were changed for red models.
The 39001 car is actually stored in Italy, in the B-Engineering
building, and is still running. The car was seen in the old town
of Modena in 2010. |
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Thanks to : Passione
Automobile (R. Frere, F. Cooreman),
B.
Reiter, V. Dobrovolsky
Pictures credits : Styledoesn'tscream,
katalog-automobilu.cz, Yuko Noguchi, Fangio978. |
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