Seven ways the new Bugatti Chiron shines
We know that the 1479bhp successor to the Veyron is quick – but what else is interesting?
Bugatti's Chiron, it seems, is transpiring to be a divisive car. Some adore the performance and engineering, while others see it – for all intents and purposes – as just a revamped Veyron.
Consequently, facts and figures about how much air it consumes, how quickly it burns through fuel and how fast it goes all seem strangely unremarkable this time around.
Regardless of whether you like it or not, however, it's impossible to fault the incredible engineering that's gone into producing a road-legal car, capable of such speeds, which meets all the required regulations – and doesn't chew through its own crank every hundred miles.
Concealed within Bugatti's 8337-word press kit are myriad details that give a glimpse of what was involved in designing and building the Chiron. Here are some of the highlights.
It could get to the moon and back repeatedly... Sort of
The Chiron features a monocoque that's fabricated entirely from carbonfibre. If you took all the fibres used in its construction, and laid them out end to end, they would cover the distance from the Earth to the Moon nine times.
Its tyres can take a serious pounding
Bugatti says that, at 249mph, the rubber in the tyres experiences a centrifugal force of 3800g. Yes, 3800 times the force of gravity – and for sustained periods. Get into a situation whereby you experience 50 times gravity briefly and you'll be lucky to walk away. Or still be breathing.
Eight titanium pistons clamp each front disc
Stopping the Chiron takes serious effort, which is why you'll find eight-piston calipers up front and six-piston calipers at the rear. The titanium pistons aren't the same size, though; Bugatti has fitted different diameters in different positions to make sure the braking pressure is evenly distributed over the disc.
Its W16 engine produces a phenomenal amount of torque
Bugatti claims that the quad-turbo, 8.0-litre W16 thunders out its peak torque of 1180lb ft from 2000 to 6000rpm, which is 70 percent of its effective rev range. Spare a thought for the transmission, differentials, axles and the road beneath.
Diamonds provide (some of) the beat
German audio specialist Accuton supplies the speakers for the Chiron's Hi-Fi system. Each features a one-carat diamond membrane in its tweeter, instead of the usual plastic, fabric or metal membrane. These reputedly deliver crystal-clear (badum-tish) sound – and certainly add to the Bugatti's premium nature.
Electronics overload
We don't envy anyone tasked with maintaining a Chiron in the future, as it's fitted with 50 ECUs. These are tasked with managing the engine, transmission, chassis and comfort features. All are designed to function properly at the Chiron's top speed, too. Preferable to, say, the ABS throwing a wobbly at 260mph.
Strength in numbers – and miles
Bugatti put some 30 test cars through their paces, covering over 400,000 miles, in order to ensure the reliability and durability of its new top-flight hypercar. Not a cheap process, by any stretch of the imagination, particularly when you consider that completing the tests required more than 200 sets of tyres alone.
Bugatti's offical video shows Chirons undergoing hot-climate testing.
Bugatti Chiron: key facts & figures
• Length/width/height (normal setting): 4544/2038/1212mm
• Weight: 1995kg (DIN empty)
• Fuel capacity: 100 litres
• Engine: 8.0-litre W16, four valves per cylinder, quad turbochargers
• Output: 1479bhp @ 6700rpm, 1180lb ft @ 2000-6000rpm
• Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive, electronically controlled rear differential
• Suspension: Front and rear double wishbone, electronically controlled dampers
• Tyres: 285/30 R20 (front), 355/25 R21 (rear)
• Brake disc diameter: 420mm (front), 400mm (rear)
You can order a new Chiron now, but it'll set you back some £2.5 million.
• Maximum speed: 261mph, for road use
• 0-62mph: Less than 2.5sec
• 0-124mph: Less than 6.5sec
• 0-186mph: Less than 13.6sec
• Braking distance from 62mph: 31.3m
• Braking distance from 124mph: 125.0m
• Braking distance from 186mph: 275m
• Maximum lateral g: 1.5
• Drag coefficient (lowest, in top speed mode): 0.35
• Fuel economy: 12.6mpg (UK)
• CO2 emissions: 516g/km
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Comments (9)
I would love to see the Chiron beat a speed record on the Salt Flats in Utah. Maybe we can find out just how fast it really goes.
Strip it, get it on the deck, set of Moon discs, few tweaks... be interesting, that's for sure!
Could do 300mph, just need the tyres to do it.🚘🚘🚘
So far the world's best road car.
great piece lewis
#newbugatti