The Bugatti Veyron marked an incredible milestone in the automotive landscape. Not only did this car set records, but it was engineered to push those boundaries every single day. However, the Veyron first took centre stage over 10 years ago and now the next chapter begins with the Bugatti Chiron. Let’s compare and contrast with this next generation machine.
Kicking off with the numbers, the original Bugatti Veyron packed 987 BHP from a W16 engine at launch, something that grabbed the headlines indeed. The first incarnations of the Chiron will also use a W16, but thanks to much larger turbochargers and injectors, it churns out 1,479 BHP. Even the most powerful Veyron Super Sport pales in comparison with 1,200 BHP. Both the Veyron and Chiron will do 0-62 MPH in under 2.5 seconds, but things get interesting beyond that. 0-186 MPH in the Veyron takes 16.7 seconds which isn’t exactly slow, yet the new Bugatti Chiron will do the same in only 13.6 seconds when flexing its muscles. Top speed for the first Veyron was 253 MPH and 267 MPH for a derestricted Super Sport. With its electronic restricter in place a Super Sport does 258 MPH. As for the Chiron it is electronically limited to 261 MPH because tyre technology means that at any higher speeds the rubber would last just minutes. We are told that the car hits this limiter hard and would otherwise continue to strongly accelerate. It is likely new tyre compounds are being developed for future high performance models.
Visually these cars have always been about form following function. The Veyron was beautiful for what it could do, but not necessarily in the way it looked. This Bugatti Chiron, whilst retaining that ethos, is certainly more stylistic with sculpted features. Inside Chiron continues the high quality nature of the Veyron interior but adds more intricacy in its design.
When it comes to price the Bugatti badge has always attracted the worlds deepest pockets. An original Veyron cost £839,000 but famously the company made a loss on every single one of the 500 built, even though later special models were much more. The Bugatti Chiron features carbon construction and the latest technologies costing you £1,900,000. However, Bugatti will be making a profit on their flagship model for the first time.
The king is dead… Long live the king.
