2018 Bugatti Chiron Coupe

In 2000, at the Geneva Auto Salon, the chairman of the Volkswagen Group - Dr. Ferdinand Piech - pronounced that subsidiary Bugatti would produce a supercar with 1,000 horsepower and a goal of accelerating from zero-to-sixty mph in less than three seconds. The car would also have a top speed in excess of 250 mph. Luxury and comfort would be equally impressive, along with a design that was both sporty and elegant.

In the year 2000, this sounded absurd, unrealistic, unlikely, and too steep a goal. There were few production cars of the day that had over 600 mph. Five years later, however, Piech's promise was fulfilled by the Bugatti Veyron. The quad-turbo 16-valve engine offered 1,001 bhp; further development culminated in the 1,183 bhp Super Sport that set a land-speed record of 267.8 mph.

Further development and modifications made during the Veyrons ten year production lifespan has resulted in the Bugatti Chiron. It is the result of many hours of testing and development, and customer feedback. Named after Louis Chiron, a legendary Bugatti driver, the Chiron shares much with its forerunner, including the carbon-fiber structure, Haldex all-wheel drive, independent suspension with limited slip differentials at each axle, and W16 quad-turbo engine. It has been vastly improved over the car it replaced; more stable at high speed, better road-holding, more passenger comfort, easier to drive, and more power. The monocoque structure is 8-percent stiffer. There is a new adaptive suspension system, active underbody aerodynamics, a stiffer and wider carbon-fiber chassis, and the largest clutches ever fitted to a production car. Even the wheels and tires are superior to those found on the Veyron.

The Bugatti Chiron is wider, lower, and long. It has a new look which is dominated on either side by the Bugatti 'C,' which drew its inspiration from Bugatti's past vehicles such as the Type 57SC Atlantic. More than just a visual statement, two 'C''s are large intake scoops for engine cooling. Additionally, there are two inlets inboard of the front headlamp arrays that send air to the large front brakes.

The Chrion is powered by a revised W16 engine rated at 1,500 horsepower. There are two turbochargers on each bank of cylinders configuration to run sequentially. The two smaller units work alone from 2,000rpm to 3,800rpm, when the other two larger turbos begin to contribute forced induction. There are 32 revised Duplex injectors that supply fuel to the engine, and ten radiators circulate nearly 50-liters of coolant between them to cool the engine.

Zero-to-sixty miles per hour is accomplished in 2.4 seconds and top speed is achieved at 186 mph in just 13.6 seconds.

This particular example was delivered by the factory to the United States in August of 2017. It was finished in two-tone livery of Atlantic Blue and French Racing Blue, with a black interior. There are diamond cut wheels painted Atlantic Blue, brake calipers of French Racing Blue, and, in the cockpit, French Racing Blue for the quilting on the optional comfort seats, the seats' stitching, and headrest embroidery. The interior is clad in full Beluga Black leather and features French Racing Blue theme stitching on the steering wheel and center console inlay.

The odometer shows less than 480 miles since new, with nearly half of these being factory test miles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018