Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Coupe
Production years: 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936
Bugatti introduced the Type 46 in 1929 as a grand tourer, and it made an excellent impression in front of its customers. Besides the gorgeous-looking bodywork, the Type 46 was also luxurious and powerful.
Despite offering other, more luxurious cars on the market, Ettore Bugatti loved the Type 46, a car that became it's favorite. That's one of the reasons why this model stood on the market longer than anyone expected. Before WWII, a luxury vehicle was hardly produced for more than a few years, and yet, the Type 46 resisted for seven years on the assembly lines, albeit with a few modifications.
The design was considered not just classic but elegant. At the front, the famous horseshoe-shaped radiator was surrounded by a thick chromed rim. A long engine compartment with side fins was a visual promise for performance, and it was flanked by long, curved front fenders. The two-door vehicle offered front-hinged doors, unlike other carmakers that still relied on the rear-hinged ones. The greenhouse was not very tall, counting for about 30% of the vehicle's height, and it started with a tilted windshield. At the back, Bugatti installed a generous trunk and the spare wheels attached to it.
The Type 46 featured a luxurious interior fitted with bucket seats at the front and a tiny bench in the rear. The woodgrain dashboard featured center-mounted dials for the speedometer, tachometer, water temperature, and other few gauges needed on long trips. Thanks to its big diameter, four-spoke steering wheel, the driver could drive the Type 46 quite fast, even on bad roads.
Under the hood, Bugatti installed an inline-eight mill that produced 138 HP (149 PS), and it was paired with a three-speed manual. In 1930, the manufacturer offered a supercharger as an option, and the upgraded version received the Type 46S name.
ENGINE SPECS - 5.4 | |
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Cylinders: | L8 |
Displacement: | 5359 cm3 |
Power: | 103 KW @ 3500 RPM 140 HP @ 3500 RPM 138 BHP @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 90 mph (145 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | Manual, 3 Speed |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Drums |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 32 X 6 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 188.2 in (4780 mm) |
Width: | 75.6 in (1920 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.1/55.1 in (1,400/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 137.8 in (3500 mm) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2535 lbs (1150 kg) |