The ultimate exclusive super car.
Beast and Beauty are two terms that sit at the opposite end of the spectrum. One is ravenous, brutal, and mean; the other is the subject of attraction and desired by all. The new Bugatti Chiron is the embodiment of both as it takes barbaric amounts of power and combines them with elegance and grace to create a vehicle that is the ultimate super car with earth-shattering performance.
Everything with the Bugatti Chiron is designed and built with the utmost quality, craftsmanship, and technological expertise to create a vehicle that exceeds any expectation of performance and exclusivity.
The same principle of “form follows performance” that has dictated the designs of past Bugatti models was the foundation for the new Chiron. “In view of our extraordinary brand and the task in hand, it would not be adequate to simply draw a few fashionable lines. In terms of design, the Chiron was an opportunity to develop most of the basic elements required for an unambiguous stylistic concept from the extreme technical requirements of the vehicle with a view to underlining the performance of this unique super sports car,” said Achim Anscheidt, Director of Design at Bugatti.
Much of the same visual assertiveness seen on the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Concept has carried over as well as classic features found on historic models such as the Type 57SC Atlantic. An eight-eyed LED front fascia with classic Bugatti horseshoe combines with a classic Bugatti line on the C-pillar of the super car and newly-designed rear fascia.
The higher and wider Bugatti Chiron has been completely aerodynamically optimized to improve airflow to keep things cool and dissipate heat, starting with the front fascia where new vents help cool the radiators and brakes, while reducing drag around the wheels. The iconic Bugatti “Macaron” front emblem is made from solid 970 fine silver and five layers of enamel, tipping the scales at 155 g – 140 g of which is pure silver.
The two-tone color scheme runs throughout the exterior and incorporates a high-gloss, hand-polished aluminum alloy side line. The line itself integrates new air intakes for the engine along each side as it sweeps around from the window to the lower portion of the door. A central fin runs from the roof to the rear fascia, creating a dynamic, powerful look.
The Bugatti Chiron and its newly-designed rear fascia features an active aero wing and special diffuser with fins that combine with the flat underbody. The rear aerodynamics create a negative pressure zone that sucks hot air from the engine for better cooling. An innovative 82 Super RED LED light strip measures 1.6 meters and marks the first time such an element has been used in a production vehicle.
Active aerodynamics also play a key role in the Bugatti Chiron. The 1,500 horsepower engine can generate over 3,000 horsepower worth of heat that needs to be dissipated effectively. Air curtains reduce drag around the wheels while splitters and intakes help to divert cool air to brakes, radiators, and intercoolers. At the rear, an active wing can be set to four different positions depending on the driving mode.
The design of the Bugatti Chiron utilizes a very lightweight and strong carbon fiber monocoque that has a torsional rigidity similar to that of an LMP1 racer. The monocoque itself takes four weeks to produce and if each fiber was laid out end-to-end, it would reach to the moon and back nine times. Even the body is made from the lightweight material wearing six layers of clear coat, requiring a complex production process to create. For the first time ever, airbags that shoot through carbon fiber housing are used to improve safety while keeping weight to a minimum on the Bugatti Chiron.
The goal for the Bugatti Chiron was to produce 1,500 horsepower, which is no easy task. The entire 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W-16 engine found in the Veyron was completely overhauled with new, lighter parts and better technology. The result is an engine that sucks in 60,000 liters of air per minute while circulating 800 liters of water at optimum performance.
A new two-stage turbocharger setup is used in the Bugatti Chiron to eliminate “turbo lag”. The system has two turbochargers operating at lower engine speeds until 3,800 RPM is reached where the other two units are activated for a very linear power curve.
The Bugatti Chiron also features a full lightweight titanium exhaust system that reduces backpressure and ends in six tailpipes, two of which point downwards. Four pre-converters feed gasses into two gigantic main converters with a total active surface measuring 230,266 square-meters – about the same area as 30 soccer fields.
In total, the new Bugatti Chiron produces 1,500 horsepower at 6,700 RPM and 1,180 lb-ft. of torque from 2,000 to 6,000 RPM. This enables the new super car to reach 62 mph from rest in less than 2.5 seconds, 124 mph in less than 6.5 seconds, and 186 mph in less than 13.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 236 mph in “Handling” mode while the official top speed is limited to 261 mph for road use. To achieve the top speed, an additional Speed Key must be used.
That incredible amount of power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox designed to handle the tremendous torque figures. A permanent all-wheel drive system with front-axle differential and Haldex coupling, and rear-axle differential with inter-wheel locking ensures maximum traction and grip in any situation.
Great attention to detail was paid to making the Bugatti Chiron more agile and direct. As a result, a full adaptive suspension is used with five different modes: Lift, EB “Auto”, Autobahn, Handling, and Top Speed. Everything from the height to the damper stiffness, steering, and differentials are controlled in these modes, and can allow for everyday driving or hardcore triple-digit top speeds to be achieved.
To hit those incredible top speed figures, the Bugatti Chiron wears specially-designed rubber developed in conjunction with Michelin. Each tire had to be able to withstand 5,000 Nm (3,687 lb-ft.) of torque and 3,800 Gs safely. New 285/30 R20 front and 355/25 R21 tires were created that provide superb overall performance while actually resulting in lower operating expenses than those found on the Veyron.
Behind the wheels that the new tires are mounted on are unique carbon ceramic discs made from carbon silicon carbide (CSiC) that keep weight to a minimum. Forged aluminum calipers feature different-diameter pistons to ensure proper pressure distribution with the front boasting eight pistons and the rear six, grabbing the 420- and 400-mm discs.
The interior of the Bugatti Chiron is a perfect balance of driver-oriented sport and opulence. Form and function can be seen here, also, with the steering wheel housing essential controls from the driving modes to multimedia so that the driver does not need to remove his hands and can instead focus on driving. The steering wheel can be finished completely in leather or in a leather and carbon fiber combination. Of course, only the finest materials are used throughout in every nook and cranny.
As with all models, the Bugatti Chiron can be outfitted with a wide range of 31 leather colors and eight alcantara colors, with custom-tailored options also available. A special C-shaped light strip element runs from the front of the dashboard, down the center console and arm rest, and into the back wall where it rides up and into the roof, separating both driver and passenger compartments. The illuminated strip is the largest light conductor used in an automobile, ever.
The entire interior of the Bugatti Chiron has been designed to be ergonomically efficient. Everything is within reach from the slim center console to the instrument cluster and shelf-storage concept. The high-rest TFT instrument cluster with flat IPS display below is surrounded by aluminum and displays more simplified information as speed gradually builds. All of the electronics will be backed by software that is continuously tested and improved upon throughout the life of the vehicle by Bugatti.
The new Bugatti Chiron will be strictly limited to just 500 examples with the first finishing production in autumn of 2016. A total of one-third of the total production has already been sold. Pricing for the Chiron will start at 2.4 million Euros ($2.6 million).
Bugatti Chiron Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 8.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: W-16
Aspiration: Quad-turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 1,500 / 1,103 kW at 6,700 RPM
Maximum Torque: 1,180 lb-ft. / 1,600 Nm
Transmission:
Type: Seven-speed dual-clutch DSG
Front Power Distribution: Differential with Haldex coupling
Rear Power Distribution: Differential with controlled inter-wheel lock
Drive: Permanent all-wheel
Performance:
Acceleration 0-62 mph: Acceleration 0-124 mph: Acceleration 0-186 mph: Top Speed: 263 mph / 380 km/h (limited)
Top Speed (Road Use): 261 mph / 420 km/h
Lateral Acceleration: 1.5 G
Braking 62-0 mph: 31.3 m
Braking 124-0 mph: 125 m
Braking 186-0 mph: 275 m
Bugatti Chiron Gallery
Source: Bugatti
Is the new Bugatti Chiron the ultimate super car?
