THE CHIRON: 1,600 HORSEPOWER OF OBSESSION

THE PROBLEM

When the Veyron retired in 2015, Bugatti faced an impossible follow-up: more power, more speed, in a car that must start, steer and stop like a normal vehicle.

The target was 1,500 hp — later raised to 1,600 with the Super Sport 300+.

THE ENGINE

The signature 8.0-litre W16 engine — effectively two V8s sharing a crank — produces 1,600 hp with four turbochargers. Coolant, oil and fuel systems must cope with ferocious heat loads.

Simple systems became engineering peaks: ten radiators manage the thermal load of a car travelling faster than most aircraft take off.

THE MACHINE

Weight, aero and tyre technology define the top speed. At 400 km/h the Chiron's tyres must survive forces no production tyre was designed for.

In 2019 a modified Chiron became the first production car to break 300 mph (482 km/h) — a record achieved through relentless, incremental engineering.

Timeline

• 2016 — THE BEGINNING: Chiron launches at Geneva.
• 2019 — THE RECORD: First road car past 300 mph.
• 2022 — THE LEGEND: Super Sport 300+ production run.