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Decades ago, before beach fashion became mainstream and most of us spent our office hours under fluorescent lights, having porcelain-like skin was considered the ultimate mark of beauty and affluence. A tanned complexion suggested long hours of outdoor labour, while fair, untouched skin symbolised privilege and indoor leisure, often accompanied by indulgent dining and relaxed living.

Although today’s elite may prefer a sun-kissed look over a pale complexion, porcelain continues to represent luxury and refinement. Hence, it’s quite fitting that Bugatti has joined hands with Germany’s renowned ceramic manufacturer Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, more commonly known as KPM, to create a unique tribute to the material in the form of a one-off Mistral roadster called the “Blanc Éternel.”

If the pairing of the words “porcelain” and “Bugatti” sounds familiar, it’s not without reason. Back in 2011, the French marque introduced the “L’Or Blanc,” which translates to “White Gold.” This one-of-a-kind Veyron Grand Sport featured porcelain elements crafted by KPM, including an intricately hand-painted finish that made it look like a luxurious porcelain art piece. The design was reminiscent of the world’s most opulent Easter egg.

The Blanc Éternel, however, takes a slightly different artistic direction. While it retains the pristine white finish, instead of adopting the L’Or Blanc’s flowing blue motifs, it features fine black lines that accentuate the sharp design angles of the W16-powered roadster. The visual effect gives the impression that the car has stepped right out of a hand-drawn comic or a stylised animated frame, lending it a distinctly graphic, almost surreal quality.

Porcelain can be found across several exterior elements, including inlays on the engine cover, fuel filler cap, oil cap, and of course, the iconic EB emblem. Inside, the material takes on a more tactile presence — the gear selector, window switches, speaker covers, centre console armrest inlay, and kneepad inserts all incorporate porcelain detailing. It’s likely that the owner (or more realistically, their valet or garage attendant) will appreciate these handcrafted touches every time the vehicle is in use.

For the vast majority of automotive enthusiasts — roughly 99.99999998 percent of the world’s population — who won’t have the chance to own the Bugatti Mistral Blanc Éternel, there’s still a way to experience a piece of this collaboration. Bugatti and KPM have announced a limited-edition series of 1,000 pieces from KPM’s line of premium travel drinkware — the To-Drive Cup and Aviator Cup — each featuring the EB logo and design elements inspired by the hypercar. While pricing hasn’t been disclosed, given that KPM’s other exclusive mugs retail between $250 and $525, these collector’s items will likely command a premium far beyond your average branded tumbler.

The Bugatti W16 Mistral Blanc Éternel stands as a remarkable fusion of engineering and artistry, celebrating both the automaker’s design heritage and KPM’s centuries-old craftsmanship in porcelain.