Photography and sketches courtesy of Bugatti
This is the world’s fastest production car. At least, it will be, once owners take delivery of the ~$2.6 million Usd. Bugatti Chiron sometime this fall. To defeat its own Veyron SuperSport, the company had to shoot for more than 258 mph—surely not an easy target—but the new car is limited to 261.
Besides its speed, opulence, and undoubtedly incredibly intricate servicing routine, I think the 2017 Chiron is notable simply because automakers have finally surpassed the extravagant heights of 1930s excess. Exotic carbon fibre supercars are the modern age’s ‘Art Deco’ streamliners, the most advanced, expensive machines also packed with the most power and performance—just like when Delahaye, Pegaso, Isotta Fraschini, Voisin, Duesenberg, Bugatti, and the others roamed around. Chiron comes from Louis Chiron, the Monaco-born driver who was the company’s pre-Second World War star, notably competing well into his 50s.
I have a feeling that Chiron would be pleased that his name graces this machine. Now, we get style and continent-crushing performance: zero-to-186 mph (300 km/h) is over in 13.6 seconds, which (down here on planet earth) is an acceptable 1/4 mile time for a sporty car. Like the Veyron, it boasts four turbos, 8.0-litres of displacement from its 16 cylinders, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission—only the brake horsepower is now at 1,479 and torque at 1,180 lbs-ft.
We still don’t know how fast the car is: when Bugatti attempts to officially set the record for the fastest car in the world, it’s even hinted the car may top 270 mph thanks to just-for-the-feat Michelin tires. Essentially, Bugatti has found a way to surpass even the most wild ’70s sports racing and Can-Am prototypes in performance, while also heaping luxury, comfort, and safety onto its best-travel-lightly occupants.
Everything about this car is, expectedly, mind-bending.
So as you begin to divest yourself of assets in order to jump in line, keep in mind there’s a lot to learn about this new car, like its blown rear diffuser, carbon fibre monocoque (that’s as strong as a Le Mans prototype’s), air intake LED headlights, and cooled glove box for your morning cold-pressed juice. Better start studying on the firm’s handy microsite.
For now, what do you think of the latest Bugatti?
