New Bugatti Chiron: the numbers
They’re big. The Chiron is shaping up to be the most unbeatable Top Trumps card ever.
It’s powered by an extensively redeveloped version of the Veyron’s 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16, which produces what is claimed to be the highest figure yet extracted from a production car: 1500 metric horsepower (or 1480bhp). Maximum torque is an equally enormous 1180lb ft, spread between 2000 and 6000rpm.
Top speed is electronically limited for road use(!), to 420km/h (261mph). The limiter’s there primarily for reasons of tyre durability. That actually makes it a touch slower than the Veyron Super Sport’s record V-max of 267mph, but the maths say the Chiron could top 285-287mph or so with the limiter removed. Bugatti isn’t quoting an official unrestricted top speed for the time being.
Nor is there an official 0-62mph just yet, but Bugatti reckons it’ll be ‘less than’ 2.5 seconds.
How much does the Bugatti Chiron cost?
Another big number: the basic price is €2.4 million.Bugatti says production will be limited to 500 cars (although there’s surely a little wriggle room on that figure for the odd special edition) and claims to already have advance orders for a third of the production run. No doubt there might be a few more signatures in the order book following the Geneva show.
Don’t be surprised to see an even faster variant along the same lines as the Veyron Super Sport arrive later in the Chiron’s life cycle, although plans for a higher-performance version are yet to be confirmed by Bugatti.
Bugatti Chiron: design
That striking bodywork is said to be partly inspired by elements of the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, in particular the C-shaped curve that loops from the A-pillar all the way around the rear haunches and back through the front wheel arch – and the central fin from stem to stern, which is intended to be a more subtle version of the prominent similar central seam on the Atlantic.The Chiron’s been designed with a two-tone colour scheme in mind like the Veyron, but single-colour options will also be available.
Engine
Its pistons, con-rods and crank are all new, as is the titanium exhaust system. Much of the power gains come from the redesigned two-stage turbo system, employing four separate turbochargers that are 30% bigger than those of the Veyron Super Sport. The Chiron gets off the line with two turbos in action, with the other two chiming in above 3800rpm, creating the most linear power curve possible. Working out how to deliver 1480bhp in a controlled, manageable way can’t be easy.
Stronger components for higher output generally mean more weight, so lightweight materials are used where possible in the Chiron. The intake tube and timing chain housing are made from carbonfibre, for example, and the new crankshaft is lighter than the Veyron’s.
Some of the numbers associated with the Veyron’s powerplant are startling; the charge air cooling system swallows 60,000 litres of air per minute and in the same amount of time the coolant pump needs to circulate 800 litres of water through the engine.
As with the Veyron, the W16 is hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive.
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