Bugatti Launches The Veyron's Successor - The 1479bhp Chiron

Bugatti has launched the Chiron, the successor to its all conquering Veyron at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The Chiron is priced at an eye watering €2.4 million (Rs. 17.82 Crores).

Bugatti Chiron Specifications & Performance

• Engine Type - Quad-turbo W16
• Engine Capacity - 8.0-litres
• Max. Power - 1,479bhp@6,750rpm
• Max. Torque - 1,600Nm@2,000–6,000rpm
• 0 – 100km/h -
• 0–200km/h -
• 0–300km/h -
• Top Speed - Limited to 420km/h

The Chiron sends its power to all four wheels through a dual-clutch gearbox. The 4-wheel-drive system is what helps the Chiron ignore its massive 1995 kilograms weight (despite being constructed entirely of Carbon Fibre) as it blast away from standstill.

There are five driving modes - Lift, Auto, Autobahn, Handling and Top Speed. Auto is the default setting which lets the Chiron's computers decide what to do. Lift is available below 80km/h and is used for getting over speed bumps.

Autobahn mode activates automatically post 180km/h and handling mode tunes the car up for a bit of track day fun. In these four modes top speed is limited to 380km/h.

To go into top speed mode, the Chiron requires a special 'Speed Key' which alters the engine management system and lowers the car down so it can achieve its 420km/h top speed.

To bring the Chiron to a stop, Bugatti has fitted the Chiron with massive carbon ceramic brakes. The front brakes are 420mm in diameter and have 8-piston calipers while the rear brakes are 400mm in diameter and are clamped down by 6-piston calipers.

These big brakes can bring the Veyron to a stop from 100km/h in just 31.3 metres, from 200km/h in 125 metres and from 300km/h in 275 metres.

The Chiron is fitted with 20-inch front wheels which are shod with 285/30 tyres and 21-inch rear wheels fitted with 355/25 rubber. The tyres are specially made Michelins.

Design

The new Chiron takes a lot of its styling cues from the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo concept showcased at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The horseshoe shaped trademark Bugatti grille is flanked by Quad LED headlamps which also act as air intakes for cooling the front brakes. Also flanking the grille are two air intakes. The design up front is completed by the splitter which looks like it would belong on a racing car.

The sides of the car are dominated by the sweeping curved air intakes which are called the 'Bugatti Line' and funnel air into the engine while the rear of the car is dominated by the LED light strip which stretches across most of it. The rear also veatures air vents which release hot air from the engine.

Also present at the rear is a central fin that pays homage to enchanting Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. The exhausts is made of titanium and features 6 vents, out of which only four are seen. The final two blow air on the rear diffusor for the blown diffusor effect.

Inside, the Chiron features quite a bit of leather along with carbon-fibre and aluminium. The instrument panel features an analogue speedo that runs all the way up to 500km/h. The speedo is flanked by two TFT screens which give details about driving modes and entertainment.

The centre console is quite narrow and mirrors the Bugatti Line air intakes on the flanks of the Chiron. It features machined air conditioning controls and the gear lever. Also present is the cooled glovebox. The speaker system features four tweeters with a one-carat diamond membrane on each of them.

Pricing Availability & Rivals

The Chiron is available for order at a price of €2.4 million (Rs. 17.82 Crores) and only 500 Chirons will ever be produced at the rate of one car a week. Out of the 500 cars, customers have already put down deposits for 180 cars. Currently, the only potential rival for the Chiron is the Koenigsegg Regera.