The Bugatti Veyron turned heads figuratively and literally when parent company Volkswagen brought the car to fruition in 2005. Since then, it has become an icon for speed, displacing the McLaren F1 as the world’s most prominent speed demon.
And soon enough, we might be seeing a few Veyrons on high-end used car lots, because its successor — the Bugatti Chiron — is on the horizon. And, by far and large, it will stick to the same successful formula pioneered by the Veyron, while making improvements along the way.
Direct Injection, Higher Boost Pressure
The heart of the Bugatti Chiron is believed to go largely unchanged from that of its predecessor. Motor Trend reports that the 8-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine will carry over, while still being paired to the familiar seven-speed dual clutch transmission and AWD system. Engineers will be making a few modifications to the motor that bring it into the 21st century, including the addition of direct injection and higher boost pressure. It’s believed that those two changes will allow the engine to produce 1,500 horsepower, or 300 ponies more that the Veyron makes today.
Electric Turbos
As previously reported, the Bugatti Chiron will benefit from electrification, with two of its four turbochargers becoming electric, and thereby gaining the ability to provide near instant torque peaking at 1,100 pound-feet. Top speed has yet to be confirmed, but MT believes that the Bugatti Chiron will top out at 288 mph (463 kph), overshooting the Veyron’s top speed by 18 mph (29 kph). Meanwhile, the sprint from 0 to 62 mph should take a mere 2.5 seconds, or faster than you read those last few words.
Architecture
The Bugatti Chiron will utilize the Veyron’s existing carbon fiber structure, but 92 percent of its parts will be new or modified to improve handling and create a more responsive driving experience. The Chiron will also have better ergonomics, including more space, a more comfortable and better placed driver’s seat, and revised A-pillars for better visibility.
Expect the Bugatti Chiron to land on the scene in 2016 and carry an MSRP of $2.5 million.
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