Posted in car review

#7 Bugatti Chiron – Redefining the benchmarks of performance

 Published Date: 02/01/2020
It was in 2001 when the then Chairman of Volkswagen Ferdinand Piëch made the announcement that some took with amazement while others though it was a stupid and speculative joke. The announcement promised the world the most powerful, most expensive and fastest car in history. The figure for top speed was set at 400km/h plus. The task to accomplish the chairman’s statement was not easy but by 2004 the car Ferdinand envisioned was a reality. Other car manufacturers followed suit and the 400km/h plus speed became attainable even with cars tuned by back street tuners. Maintaining its reputation as a manufacture of the fastest car on the planet has not been easy for Bugatti. Onslaughts from cars made all over the world have made the once undisputed manufacturer of top performing sports car a commoner. However, the so called commoner has managed to retain all the world records for nearly the entire life of the Veyron.  
Bugatti Chiron 

The Veyron was delivered to 407 happy customers and nearly 450 units were made at the company’s Molsheim factory in Alsace France.  The final bow of the Veyron series was marked with the 1200hp Super Sports coupe and the topless Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale. The next chapter in Bugatti’s 107 year history is marked with the introduction of the all-new Chiron (pronounced as Shiron).

8-Full-LED headlamps

The car is no longer a ‘super’ car. It is now moved to the league of the mega cars as it produces more than one megawatt of power or 1,341 hp. The Bugatti Chiron is therefore very well-positioned to become the next world speed record holder and reach a maximum speed significantly above the record currently held by the Veyron Super Sports. I short the new Chiron is redefining the benchmarks of what the fastest production car should accomplish.  

Bugatti Veyron 
  
Design      
The overall design of the all-new Bugatti Chiron has tailor-made to ensure it attains its goal as the top notch car when it comes performance, handling and of course top speed. The accentuated lines of the Chiron were inspired by the legendary Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, the most famous creation of Jean Bugatti, son of the founder Ettore. The most visible design element, the C-bar on the side (also known as the Bugatti line), which is also used as a design element in the interior, is a reminiscence of the Type 57SC Atlantic’s central seam.

Bugatti line 

Distinct 20-inch front and 21-inch rear rims are adorned by high performance tyres from Michelin. The line C-bar is not only a beautiful styling line but it is also helps to improve engine ventilation. Fresh air enters behind the A-pillar at the level of the window. The air is absorbed by the C-bar, guided through to the wheel arch and leaves the car via the rear.

Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic

The Chiron is higher and wider than its predecessor. The wider front end of the vehicle is highlighted by the new eight-eye face. The face features eight full-LED headlamps at each side. The outer lighting squares consist of light conductors providing sidelight and daytime running light functions. The prominent horse shoe Bugatti radiator sits in the middle while two lines in V-formation bring rise to the Chiron’s from storage compartment. Although this rear design is not entirely new in the sports car sector, the combined rear, brake, reversing and indicator light certainly is.
Low, aggressive front design 

The designers developed this homogeneous light strip with a length of 1.60 metres extending over the entire rear without any interruptions with a view to making a purist statement emphasising the width of the Bugatti Chiron. The rear light strip is the unmistakable signature and unique feature of this Bugatti. The Chiron is the first production car to feature a rear light of this type. The light strip is only a few millimeters high and is surrounded by a bar machined from solid aluminum.

Rear design with the prominent light strip

82 Super RED LED lamps ensure that all road-users can immediately see that a Bugatti Chiron is driving ahead of them. The rear spoiler (the “air brake”) emphatically accentuates the unparalleled performance generated by the rear-mounted power plant of the Bugatti. The rear air brake, which deploys at different driving modes and during braking, extends over the full width of the vehicle.

 

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse 

Performance
Located behind the seats is the legendary 8.0-litre W16 engine. The W16 power plant has been completely redesigned to deliver an impressive 1,500hp and 1,600Nm of wheel spinning torque. Paired with the engine is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Chiron’s W16 heart

The power plant allows the Chiron to clock a limited speed of 420km/h. However, Bugatti is expected to max the car without any limiters as it aims to beat the record set by the Veyron Super Sports. The W16 impressive numbers are delivered in part by four larger, higher-performance turbochargers. They are operated in a two-stage configuration.

Bugatti Veyron Super Sports 

Off the line the Chiron utilizes two turbos until the engine clocks 3,800 rpm where the remaining two are fired up. The two-stage turbo charging feature also allows the Chiron to be driven comfortably at low speeds. In addition the air cooling system has been improved. As a result, more than 60,000 litres of air per minute are pumped through the engine. 



The coolant pump is also a very high-performance unit. In one minute, it circulates 800 litres of water through the entire engine. The music piece from the 16 cylinders is piped to the world via a six tailpipes, with four routed to the rear and two pointing downwards.
Distinct and easy to fit wheels  

Interior
The appealing and striking character of the Bugatti Chiron’s exterior is interpreted inside the car. In order to keep the central console as slim as possible and to allow a spacious impression, the climate control and infotainment systems have been separated. The units on the central console have independent displays. The selector for the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is located within easy reach of the driver’s hand.
Cockpit 

The instruments visible through the steering wheel with its central horseshoe emblem include the analogue speedometer, with the two supplementary digital displays and a mechanical speed indicator. The speedometer runs up to the magic figure of 500 km/h (310 mph) and is a feast for the eyes with the exclusive appearance of a precious Swiss watch.

Speed dial which tops at 500km/h 

The digital displays high-resolution graphics are extremely sharp. The principle is that the driver should be offered only the information that is necessary in view of the driving mode that is active. The faster the Bugatti Chiron is driven, the simpler the presentation becomes.

Multi-function steering wheel 

The dashboard features the selector lever and four round air conditioning switches with indicators under glass hoods which can easily be seen not only from the driver’s seat but also by the passenger. On the first control level, the four rotary switches operate the air distribution, blower, temperature and seat heating functions.

Start up key top speed unlock key

But that is not all. In line with the principle that a huge variety of functions should be presented in a way which is clear and allows intuitive operation, the second level of each indicator provides additional functions for the monitoring of driving performance data, also allowing individual programming, if the driver so desires.

Interior C-Light lighting and seats 

The Chiron’s audio system features tweeters with one-carat diamond membrane, delivering a crystal-clear sound. In addition, the world’s first mid-range speaker with two separate membrane zones is fitted to the Bugatti Chiron. In combination with other sophisticated features, the result is a sound platform that makes the Chiron the world’s fastest concert hall. Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity are also offered as standard.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale 

The electric seats offer great seating comfort thanks to its sophisticated upholstery, special seam pattern and the optimum distribution of seat pressure. Electric adjustment functions make for relaxed, ergonomic sitting. The C-shaped light strip emerges from the front bonnet into the interior and merges seamlessly into the dashboard. From here, it flows over the armrest between the seats to the back wall where it rises to the roof liner; at the front, it ends at the rear-view mirror. The homogeneously lit, dimmable light bar is the longest light conductor used in automobiles.
Rear with the rear air brake/wing deployed 

Conclusion

The all-new Bugatti Chiron is certainly Volkswagen’s mostpowerful, fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive production vehicle. Not only does it have the looks but also has plenty of grunt to challenge almost all production vehicles in the world at the moment. Although the top unrestricted speed will be confirmed as soon as it is let loose on Volkswagen’s test track in Ehra-Lessien. The Veyron’s successor also does not disappoint when it comes to having a jaw dropping price. The Veyron starting price was $1,000,000. For the Chiron, Bugatti has place the price tag at $2.2 million.