The world's most expensive car, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, has been unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show, where it was sold to a mystery buyer for $27 million.

The sleek, jet-black supercar is loaded with a 1,500-horsepower, eight-litre, 16-cylinder engine, encased within a carbon fibre body.

The company has not released more specifics about the engine, though it is thought to be very similar or identical to that of its turbocharged Chiron model.

The car was made to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the company. ( Reuters: Pierre Albouy )

Bugatti describes it as "the highest level of automotive haute couture one can reach" and company president Stephan Winkelmann said the car combined "extraordinary technology, aesthetics and extreme luxury".

Comparing the numbers For the cost of one La Voiture Noire, you could buy approximately: 11 Ferrari Monzas

11 Ferrari Monzas 850 Mitsubishi Tritons

850 Mitsubishi Tritons 1,700 Suzuki Swifts

1,700 Suzuki Swifts 24.5 houses in Sydney (based on average price)

24.5 houses in Sydney (based on average price) 1.9 million smashed avo on toasts

Made to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the company, the vehicle will be the only one of its kind ever produced, and is a homage to the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic.

Only four Atlantics were made between 1936 and 1938. Fashion icon Ralph Lauren is the owner of the last one built.

Bugatti will not confirm the identity of the buyer, saying it was "an enthusiast for the brand", but it is generally thought to be Ferdinand Piech, the grandson of Porsche's founder.

Mr Piech is a former CEO of Volkswagen, which owns Bugatti.

The new Bugatti La Voiture Noire was displayed at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show. ( Reuters: Pierre Albouy )

The Bugatti website lists the fuel consumption as 35.2 litres per 100 kilometres in urban areas.

Based on the Chiron, the La Voiture Noire would be a seven-speed automatic with a top speed of 420 kilometres per hour, and could go from 0 to 100kph in 2.4 seconds.

Though Mr Winkelmann described it as "the ideal grand tourer", the boot space is likely to be only about 44 litres, about the size of a medium backpack.

Engine performance:

La Voiture Noire Triton Swift Top speed (kph) 420 200 194 0 to 100kph (seconds) 2.4 10.55 7.8 Storage 44L 1 tonne 265L Fuel consumption (litres per 100km) 35.2 7.6 6.1

Source: Performance Drive