Bugatti ID90 Concept: Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Visionary Forerunner to the EB110

Design Prelude - The 1990s marked a daring chapter in automotive history, when designers were given unusual freedom to explore bold ideas without being tightly restrained by corporate caution. Supercars, in particular, became rolling manifestos of creativity. In the middle of that vibrant era emerged a striking concept that quietly shaped Bugatti’s modern rebirth: the Bugatti ID90 Concept. Often remembered as one of the early design forerunners of the legendary EB110, the ID90 reflected both the spirit of its time and the vision of one of Italy’s most influential designers, Giorgetto Giugiaro.

The Bugatti ID90 Concept posed along with its creator Giorgietto Giugiaro. (Picture from: DriveTribe)

When Bugatti was preparing to return to the supercar arena, four celebrated designers were invited to propose their interpretations for what would become the EB110. The names involved read like a hall of fame: Marcello Gandini, Giorgetto Giugiaro, Paolo Martin, and Nuccio Bertone. Giugiaro’s proposal, unveiled at the 1990 Turin Motor Show, was called the Bugatti ID90 Concept. The “ID” stood for ItalDesign, Giugiaro’s own design house, signaling that this was not just a sketch exercise but a fully realized vision from a studio known for shaping some of the most iconic cars of the late 20th century. 

The Bugatti ID90 Concept, unveiled at the 1990 Turin Motor Show, was Giorgetto Giugiaro’s fully developed proposal for Bugatti’s new supercar, with “ID” representing his ItalDesign studio. (Picture from: Motor1)

At first glance, the ID90 carried a presence that felt both futuristic and unmistakably Italian. It was a two-seat, mid-engined, all-wheel-drive supercar defined by smooth, flowing curves rather than sharp aggression. A dramatic glass dome canopy flowed over the cockpit, while the open rear section integrated cooling vents for the V12 engine beneath. This sculptural yet purposeful approach reflected ItalDesign’s established language, previously seen in projects such as the 1984 Lotus Etna, the BMW Nazca C2, and the M12, where expansive glazing and aerodynamic purity defined the overall character. 

The style of the Bugatti ID90 Concept is clearly featured by a beautiful curvy lines and purposeful implemented with a massive glass dome coupled with an open rear section where air vents were installed to cool down the V12 engine. (Picture from: DriveTribe)

Beneath its curvaceous bodywork, the ID90 was engineered to match its dramatic appearance. It featured a 3.5-liter V12 engine mounted behind the cockpit, enhanced by four turbochargers and paired with an all-wheel-drive system. This configuration was not merely ambitious; it was a clear statement that Bugatti’s revival would aim at the very top of the performance hierarchy. Even the wheels told a story. Their retro-inspired design paid tribute to the 1926 Bugatti Royale, subtly reconnecting the concept to the brand’s grand heritage while pushing performance technology forward. 

The Bugatti ID90 Concept is one of the models proposed for EB100 by Giorgietto Giugiaro of ItalDesign and debuted at the 1990 Turin Motor Show. (Picture from: Motor1)

Although Giugiaro’s proposal was not ultimately selected as the definitive design for the production EB110, its influence did not disappear. When the EB110 entered production in 1991, several styling elements echoed ideas first explored in the ID90, including aspects of its proportions and overall silhouette. In that sense, the concept served as an important stepping stone—an experimental draft that helped refine the visual direction of Bugatti’s modern supercar identity. It represented a moment when multiple creative visions converged before the final decision was made. 

Today, the Bugatti ID90 Concept stands as a fascinating reminder of a time when automotive design thrived on fearless experimentation. It embodies Giugiaro’s ability to merge heritage references with forward-thinking engineering, all wrapped in a fluid and confident form. More than just an unchosen proposal, the ID90 captures the creative tension behind Bugatti’s dramatic comeback and highlights how even unrealized concepts can leave a lasting imprint on automotive history.😭 *** [EKA [07122021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DRIVETRIBE | WIKIPEDIA | GTPLANET | MOTOR1 ]

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