At their core, video games are about translating development teams’ passion into exciting stories for players. Today, we’re thrilled to have Vehicle Artist Christophe de Lentaigne de Logiviere bring one of those stories to light, specifically his passion for the legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, which we’re delighted to announce will be available in-game on December 16. Take it away, Christophe!
Hello, my name is Christophe de Lentaigne de Logiviere and I’m a Vehicle Artist at Ivory Tower. I’m very happy to be able to talk to you today about the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, and more specifically chassis 57453, better known by the mysterious appellation of “La Voiture Noire”.
A LEGEND STEEPED IN HISTORY
Rather than touching upon Bugatti’s pre-war history, I will instead focus specifically on the manufacturing journey that culminated in “La Voiture Noire” and its shroud of legend.
Jean Bugatti, son of Automobiles E. Bugatti founder Ettore, initially unveiled the Bugatti Type 57 at the Paris Motor Show of October 1933. His creation was ultimately the catalyst for a diverse range of artisanal car bodies.
Sporting a dual overhead camshaft eight-cylinder engine, the Type 57’s horsepower ranged from 140 to 200; the higher-end performance was achieved with an SC version that could push 210 km/h. While this may seem low by today’s standards, it was a pioneering technological achievement in an age where travel by horseback was still commonplace. Alongside the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900, these vehicles are the ancestors of the modern supercar.
1935 then saw the introduction of the Bugatti Aérolithe, a unique prototype from which the protagonist of our story – the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic – was subsequently born in 1936.
Named after Jean Mermoz, the first aviator to fly over the South Atlantic and a close friend of Jean Bugatti’s, the Atlantic sports an exotically unique look, namely thanks to its stand-out wheels, elegantly long bonnet, and riveted dorsal seam.
Only four Atlantics were ever produced, each with its own specificities. Three of them were for customers. The fourth was made for Jean Bugatti himself, chassis number 57453, better known by its nickname “La Voiture Noire” (The Black Car, due to its colour). Not only was the car exclusive in its ownership, it is also the only Atlantic of which no record exists after 1938. Legend has it that it was hidden away for safekeeping at the outbreak of WW2; whether this was the case or not, it has not yet reappeared to this day.
Should the car eventually resurface, it would undoubtably be the most expensive automobile in the world – if it is even possible for the real value of such a masterpiece to be truly estimated.
FROM LEGEND TO VIDEO GAMES
My passion for the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic comes from the fact that it’s the very first car that I modelled in 3D, specifically chassis 57591 (the “Pope Atlantic”, one of the three models sold to customers and currently owned by Ralph Lauren). This was back in 2009 and, as a video game fan, I even “modded” the car into an open-world game to satisfy my inherent need to experience what it’s like to drive my 3D models. As a stickler for detail and a bit of a perfectionist, I did a lot of research into the story and design of the Atlantic.
Consequently, when the possibility arose to reproduce one of these mythical automobiles in The Crew 2, I was quick to request the responsibility of its integration. I was keen to put my expertise with time-honoured classic cars to use, as I had namely been able to do with the 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.
However, it was not simply a case of knowing the principles of 3D modelling and creating a base copy of the car. Even more crucial is knowledge of how parts were manufactured and put together for antique vehicles, and I built up my own expertise in this field by means of various classic vehicle restoration projects, including dismantling and rebuilding, part rehabilitation (sanding, chroming, polishing…), bodywork rehabilitation, and painting, to name but a few. This then allows for a better understanding and contextualisation of the reference materials at our disposal, to visualise the intended workings of the parts we model, as well as the materials used and their finish. In a nutshell, it helps us to understand their true purpose and function. Lastly, this also allows us to fill in potential blanks in the reference documentation, in an educated manner, should the need arise.
Now before going any further, it’s important to note that all four of the authentic Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic chassis are unique in their own right. For instance, the chassis 57591 Atlantic that I modelled in 2009, has unique front wings, exposed rear wheels, and six tailpipes instead of five; and these are but some of the more obvious differences. Chassis 57374 has a roof elevated by 12mm, chassis 57473 has very different bodywork to its three siblings, and the list goes on. These are four very different takes on the Atlantic, imbued with individuality in a way that’s a far cry from modern chain production, and therefore deserving of nothing less than in-depth study and investigation.
With this in mind, it should be no surprise that authenticity was always at the heart of my 3D reproduction of “La Voiture Noire”, my brush guided by the ten or so authenticated photos we were able to find of the real chassis 57453. These photographs are monochrome and over 80 years old, so it was certainly a considerable challenge.
Nevertheless, the photos allowed us to identify the majority of chassis 57453’s component parts. Cross-referencing with pictures of its three siblings’ chassis gave us excellent cues for those parts replicated in all four Atlantics, meaning that we were ultimately able to reproduce these details in meticulous detail.
WHEN VIDEO GAMES BECOME MUSEUMS
The result of this hard work is that The Crew 2 players will now exclusively be able to discover one of the most prestigious and legendary pieces of automotive history in the world. They will be able to scrutinise every last detail of this hommage to “La Voiture Noire”; get behind its majestic right-hand-drive, wood-sculpted steering wheel; admire the fabulous dials reminiscent of a plane’s cockpit; gaze down the length of its elegant hood towards the highly polished radiator cap.
Eagle-eyed players will note the difference between the left and right-hand side rims. The central clamping nuts are unique to their respective sides of the car, and read “Gauche” and “Droite” in French (left and right).
Also unique to chassis 57453 are the full-door window with its ventilation port, and elegantly simple handle design. The door’s upper ventilation slots and water evacuation are replicated only on chassis 57374.
Every dial and counter on the dashboard was treated to minute attention to detail, to ensure that players can enjoy a faithful and accurate reproduction.
Particular care was taken with the components and animation of the chassis, suspension, brake drums, and steering. Note that on the Bugatti Type 57, the steering column only directs the right wheel, which in turn then directs the left wheel by way of a steering synchronisation bar. Furthermore, the front axle is rigid, suspended from two leaf springs.
The lucky in-game owners of the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic will be able to fit two other sets of rims, both of which are variations of the spoke rims hidden behind the hubcaps. They can be painted black, like the original spoke rims, or sport the metallic colouring namely showcased on chassis 57473.
The reconstruction also features an original number plate from Jean Bugatti’s own Atlantic.
Video games allow us to live dreams that would otherwise remain unattainable, conjuring before our eyes items or scenes that are – or are believed to be – forever lost. I firmly believe that gaming’s potential for such conservation should be put to as much use as possible, providing players with an experience that’s half “museum” and half entertainment to ensure that the memories of lost masterpieces are never forgotten.
On that note, I must now leave you to resume work on further vehicles for you to discover in-game. All of us here at Ivory Tower are determined to let our players live as many of their automotive dreams in The Crew 2 as possible!
Safe travels to you all, and we’ll see you on the road.
This Week In TC2 – December 15
Gearheads,
Santa’s back in town and he’s brought a whole load of gifts and treats for you. Let’s find out what’s happening in The Crew 2 this week!
BOOSTED EVENT
Starting on December 21st, we’re getting our festive boosts underway. Expect to find more LIVE Reward Crates appearing in freedrive, with better quality loot and more PVP rewards! Full details in a dedicated article tomorrow (December 16).
LIVE Summit – Santa Cruise 2 (December 16 – December 23)
Jump into the Santa Cruise 2 LIVE Summit and battle it out for a top position on the leaderboards, and some cool prizes! Aim for platinum to clinch a legendary set that will come in very handy with our festive boosts.
PLATINUM: LEGENDARY HC PERF PARTS (LIVE REWARD SNIFFER SET, SENSOR & COLLECTOR) GOLD: ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE S SILVER: GREEN SMOKE BRONZE: 1 MILLION FOLLOWERS
Check out this week’s LIVE Summit bundle and add some of these mischievous vehicles to your garage!
Red Bull RB14 Disruption Edition (2018) – Alpha GP
Kawasaki GPZ 900R “Ninja” (1984) – Street Racing
Mini Countryman All4 Racing (2015) – Rally Raid
Koeningsegg Agera R (2012) – Drift
Lancia Delta S4 (1985) – Rally Cross
VEHICLE PROMOTION
We’ve heard this Santa can be a bit of a bull at times, best to expect the unexpected. The Lamborghini Diablo GT “Bad Santa” Edition will be available in the Far & Beyond store until December 22nd. This bundle will include both vehicle and vanity items.
American or Italian? What suits you the best? If you cannot make up your mind, this week’s LIVE Summit bundle will give you both!
Pontiac Firebird T/A (1982) – Street Race
Ferrari Enzo Ferrari (2002) – Hypercar
VEHICLE PROMOTION
For those of you who cannot get enough of Italian cars, the Ferrari 488 Pista Matte Edition will be available in store until December 8th – be quick, do not hesitate! The bundle comes with vehicle and vanity items.
Get ready to start your action-packed adventure with Motorflix! Our very first theme, The Chase, will put you in the driving seat of Vault Corp’s Interception Unit.
LIVE SUMMIT – THE CHASE (NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 2)
This week is your first opportunity to prove that you’re the best stunt driver in Motornation. Jump into your Interception Unit suit, choose your ride, and take down the outlaws. Lights, camera, action!
PLATINUM: LEGENDARY SR PERF PARTS (NITRO CHEMIST SET, BULLDOZER & AIR INTAKE) GOLD: RETRO F1R3 RED TIRE SILVER: PAGANI ZONDA F VISUAL PARTS BRONZE: 300K FOLLOWERS
Get your hands on some classic American muscle and Italian horsepower in this week’s LIVE Summit bundle (and no, you didn’t misread that: The Dodge Charger R/T Hemi will be available in Demolition Derby!)
Dodge Charger R/T Hemi (1969) – Demolition Derby
Ford Mustang Boss 429 (1969) – Street Racing
Pagani Zonda F (2005) – Hyper Car
VEHICLE PROMOTION
Get your hands on the Mazda RX-7 Kemuri Edition and leave your competition in a trail of smoke. This vehicle and vanities bundle will be available in the Far & Beyond store until December 1st.
STAY TUNED
That’s not all we’ve got to share for this week. If you’re after more information on Episode 1: The Chase, you can
THE CREW® 2 SEASON 1 EPISODE 1: THE CHASE
Our next free update - The Crew® 2 Season 1 Episode 1: The Chase - will be available to all The Crew® 2 players on November 25, including on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5.
It includes a brand-new game mode, vehicles, and Motorpass progression system available right from launch, as well as fresh live content rolled out to the game on a regular basis thereafter – further vehicle drops, LIVE Summits, vanity items, and more!
As announced at Ubisoft Forward, every Motorflix Season will bring a new theme and gameplay experience. For Season 1, the setting is a fictional series where a mysterious outlaw group foolishly decides to steal from private bank Vault Corp.
In Episode 1: The Chase, the outlaws must be stopped by Vault Corp’s elite Interception Unit before they escape the city – with players in the starring role of lead Interception driver!
The action takes place across 8 PvE events, split between the Street Race and Hypercar disciplines. Five events will be available at launch, followed by one new event every two weeks.
You can access the events via a dedicated tab in the Activities menu, or directly in the Street Race and Hypercar categories.
NEW VEHICLES & VANITY TYPE
The Seasonal theme doesn’t stop at events! Interception drivers need Interception Unit cars, and we happen to have a few packed into our customary line-up of brand-new Shop additions.
Available right off the bat on November 25, the Lamborghini Veneno Coupé Interception Unit (2020) is Vault Corp’s answer to the Hypercar discipline.
The Street Race discipline is also fielding a new contender, with the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Interception Unit (2018) joining the fray.
Variety is the spice of life, though, so we naturally also have additions that don’t follow the seasonal theme: welcome the powerful Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray (2020) and stunning BMW M8 Competition Coupe (2020) to the Street Race discipline!
For the first time in The Crew® 2, we have a real-life new addition to the Demolition Derby discipline: the Dodge Charger R/T Hemi (1969)!
All of the above vehicles will be available for purchase in Bucks or Crew Credits, on November 25. Keep your eyes peeled over the following weeks and months for even more vehicle drops, including our sixth Elite Bundle!
And for those of you with the customizing bug, good news! We’re also adding a brand-new vanity type – Rooftops – that you’ll find in the Far & Beyond store.
NEW MOTORPASS SYSTEM
On November 18, we announced the Motorpass system that we’ll be adding to The Crew 2 alongside Episode 1: The Chase.
As a reminder, the Motorpass is an optional multi-tiered reward system, that players can progress through by completing Daily and Seasonal Challenges. There are 50 tiers in total, which offer both Free and Premium Rewards, and we’ll be running a new Motorpass for every Episode.
The competitors among you will be thrilled to hear that our latest batch of LIVE Summits is raring to go. We have a variety of themes lined up, from Vault Security to seasonal holidays, via more classic brand-focused Summits. It all kicks off on November 25 with The Chase.
And of course, our Premium LIVE Summits make their return with a new selection of exclusive vehicles up for grabs – starting with the Ford GT Interception Unit (2017)! This fantastic Hypercar will be the platinum reward for the Vault Interception Unit Academy LIVE Summit, starting December 2.
Be sure to check The Crew® Hub regularly to track your progress.
As ever, November 25 is just the beginning! Content drops and themed weeks will continue to offer regular, fresh new experiences for the duration of the Season, starting with Episode 1: The Chase and continuing with Episode 2: The Hunt in January 2021.
Keep an eye on our weekly articles and official channels for the latest news and announcements. We’ll see you on the road!
SEASON 1 EPISODE 1: THE CHASE – PATCH 1.8.0 NOTES – NOVEMBER 25
With the release of The Crew® 2 Season 1 Episode 1: The Chase, we are introducing a variety of new content, improvements and fixes to your game experience. Please see our patch notes below for the most notable changes.
This patch will be deployed via a maintenance starting at 10am Paris time on Wednesday, November 25, and your game client will automatically update to the latest version once it is live. Please follow our official channels to stay up to speed as to any changes.
DETAILED PATCH NOTES
Estimated patch size: 27 GB approx.
FEATURES
VANITY ITEMS
[Added] 1 new vanity type: Rooftops.
[Added] 92 new vanity items - to be released on a weekly basis through the shop, as LIVE Summit rewards, or in the Motorpass.
5 Smokes
13 Tires
14 Underglows
10 Nitros
17 Horns
7 Window Tints
15 2D Emotes
7 Rooftops
4 Outfit parts
[Fixed] Sweden Smoke particles coming only from the right wheel when speed is over 100 km/h with drift vehicles.
[Fixed] Typo in Laser Blast Underglow.
SUMMIT
[Added] 16 New LIVE Summits with their associated activities & rewards.
Keep track of upcoming LIVE Summits at The Crew Hub
HOBBIES
[Added] 6 Weekly Hobbies will now repeat every week.
GAME MODE
[Added] New Chase/Hunt Game mode with new visual props.
New map icons o New event start areas
New introduction videos
New visual tickets
16 new PvE events (8 in Episode 1, 8 in Episode 2)
MOTORPASS
[Added] 1 new Motorpass per Episode
50 reward tiers, including vehicles, vanity items, currency packs, and more.
Full details in our dedicated article
VEHICLES
VEHICLES
[Added] 29 New Vehicles, including:
Shop additions
Lamborghini Veneno Coupé Interception Unit (2020) – Hypercar (Nov 25)
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Interception Unit (2018) - Street Race (Nov 25)
Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray (2020) - Street Race (Nov 25)
BMW M8 Competition Coupe (2020) - Street Race (Nov 25)
Ford GT Interception Unit (2017) - Hypercar (Summit beg. Dec 2)
Elite Bundle 6 (coming soon)
& more to be revealed on a regular basis!
[Fixed] The trail of the Koenigsegg Ones's wipers is not synced with the wipers themselves.
[Fixed] Window tint applies to the rear lights of Honda Civic and Audi RS5.
[Fixed] H1 ALPHA Hummer has black texture for Rear Wing 2 back and right-side windows.
WORLD (VISUAL & AUDIO)
EVENTS
[Added] 16 PvE events for the new game mode (8 in Episode 1, 8 in Episode 2)
5 events available on November 25
1 further new event every two weeks thereafter until Episode 2
[Fixed] Some tickets display the player's vehicle level instead of "Loaned Vehicle"
WORLD
[Added] Season 1-themed posters and billboards added to House and cities.
[Fixed] The last ramp in Key West Chaebung Event causes Aeroboat SV12 to crash.
MISC
[Added] New themed weathers available in Photo Mode.
Chase Wet
Chase Fog
Chase Rain
Hunt Sunny
Hunt Cloud
Hunt Fog
TECHNICAL
NEW GEN CONSOLES
[Added] The Crew® 2 is retro-compatible with Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5.
Game saves are cross-gen, meaning that existing saves on old gen can be accessed on same-platform new gen consoles, and vice-versa.
AUDIO
[Improved] Certain horns can now be toggled by simply clicking the stick, instead of needing to keep it pressed for the duration.
THIS WEEK IN TC2 – NOVEMBER 17TH
Gearheads,
The Untamed Italians are running wild once more in Motornation. Here’s what we’ve got lined-up for you this week in TC2.
LIVE SUMMIT – UNTAMED ITALIANS (NOVEMBER 18 – NOVEMBER 25)
Our last of the LIVE Summit re-runs will see you battling it out on the leaderboard for the iconic Lamborghini Huracán Performante. Let’s take a look at what else is up for grabs in Untamed Italians:
Need some extra Italian flair in your garage? This week’s LIVE Summit bundle can help add some stylishness to your collection (and maybe even help you competitively):
Maserati Gran Turismo S (2009) – Touring Car
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta (2013) – Street Race
Lamborghini Veneno (2013) – Hyper Car
VEHICLE PROMOTION
Once more, we’ll have the exotic Bugatti Veyron Haute Couture Edition available in the Far & Beyond store until November 24th. This bundle comes with the vehicle and vanity items for extra wow!
INTRODUCING MOTORFLIX
Who are Motorflix and what do they have to offer? Watch our trailer to find out:
November 25 sees the kick-start of our first Motorflix season, with Episode 1: The Chase. If you missed our recent Motorflix trailer, you can watch it right here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XUgkGO-IhE
In addition to the Season system, Episode 1: The Chase will include a brand-new game mode that’s free for all players, as well as the usual vehicle drops, LIVE Summits and associated rewards, and vanity items.
We’ll be taking a closer look at all these additions next week, but we wanted to take the time today to give you more details on yet another new feature dropping on November 25: the MOTORPASS.
WHAT IS THE MOTORPASS?
The MOTORPASS is a new, optional multi-tiered reward system, that players can progress through by completing Daily and Seasonal Challenges.
There are 50 tiers in total, which offer both Free and Premium Rewards.
To unlock Premium Rewards, players can choose to purchase the Premium MOTORPASS.
WHAT KIND OF REWARDS WILL THE MOTORPASS INCLUDE?
Progressing through the MOTORPASS will unlock exclusive vehicles, vanity items, outfits, currency packs (Crew Credits and Bucks), emotes, and more.
11 of the reward tiers are free, and for Episode 1 this includes the Bugatti Chiron Interception Edition (2020)!
HOW MUCH WILL THE PREMIUM MOTORPASS COST?
The Premium MOTORPASS will cost 80,000 Crew Credits.
However, every MOTORPASS will also include a total of 40,000 Crew Credits in currency packs – 20,000 CC as Free Rewards, and 20,000 CC as Premium Rewards.
HOW DO CHALLENGES WORK?
There are two types of Challenges: Daily and Seasonal.
Daily Challenges are actions to complete throughout the game, in a variety of contexts and disciplines. There are 5 Daily Challenges available to be completed in a 24 hour period, after which the selection changes.
We will also add 4 new Seasonal Challenges every week, based specifically on the current Season’s theme. These will remain available until the end of the Season, unlike Daily Challenges.
Completing Challenges will earn you Motor Stars, which are essentially experience points needed to progress through the MOTORPASS. The number of Motor Stars awarded will depend on the difficulty of the Challenge.
You need 10 Motor Stars to unlock one MOTORPASS tier.
HOW DO CHALLENGES IMPACT LIVE CONTRACTS?
Given the similarity between LIVE Contracts and Challenges, we will be removing Contracts from the game on November 25 and shifting the ability to earn free Crew Credits to the MOTORPASS.
As explained above, the MOTORPASS’ free rewards include Crew Credit packs to the total value of 20,000 CC.
HOW LONG WILL A MOTORPASS LAST?
A MOTORPASS will last for 2 months. It will run in tandem with the seasonal MOTORFLIX structure that we revealed at Ubisoft Forward, and that you can read up on HERE.
Every Episode will have its own MOTORPASS, and the rewards will be in sync with its theme. The very first MOTORPASS theme will therefore be The Chase!
WILL THIS REPLACE THE VEHICLE DROPS, LIVE SUMMITS, AND OTHER FREE CONTENT THAT PLAYERS CURRENTLY ENJOY?
No, we will continue to roll out free vehicle drops, LIVE Summits, events, and more, as usual. The MOTORPASS is completely optional and is designed to complement existing live drops, not replace them.
And of course, The Chase’s new game mode will be free and available to all, no change from our previous updates!
IS THERE A FAME LEVEL REQUIREMENT FOR THE MOTORPASS?
There are no Fame level requirements, any player on any platform can progress in the MOTORPASS should they so wish. Even Free Trial players can give it a go, and will keep all their unlocked rewards if they decide to purchase the full game.
DO I ONLY KEEP MY MOTORPASS REWARDS FOR 2 MONTHS?
All content unlocked through the Motorpass remains available permanently, even beyond the 2 months of the Episode and Motorpass in question.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE TIME TO COMPLETE A MOTORPASS?
If you’re running short on time (or simply cannot wait to get your hands on the rewards!), there will be several packs available for purchase for immediate tier unlocks.
Check out our MOTORPASS trailer for further details:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1GhYzytl0
THIS WEEK IN TC2 – NOVEMBER 10
Gearheads,
This week, we’re turning our focus to Japan and JDM culture. Get ready, the Rising Sun Strikes Again!
RISING SUN STRIKES AGAIN (NOVEMBER 11 – NOVEMBER 18)
The Legendary Mazda RX-8 Thunderwave Edition returns once more as our LIVE Summit platinum reward. Battle it out amongst your rivals and for a spot in the top 3000 to add this edition to your garage. Check out below to see what else is up for grabs.
This week’s LIVE Summit bundle has all the JDM needed to help get you started on the leaderboards. Here’s what’s included:
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (2002) – Drag
Nissan 370Z (2013) – Touring Car
Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX (1999) – Street Race
Mazda RX7 (2002) – Drift
Kawasaki KX450F (2015) – Rally Raid
Honda Civic Type R (2016) – Street Race
VEHICLE PROMOTION
The Mazda RX-8 Shōri Edition will also be returning the Far & Beyond store up until November 17. This bundle will include both the vehicle and vanity items
STAY TUNED
Keep your eyes peeled for the first of our Motorflix announcements, beginning Monday, November 16!
