Bugatti Chiron

The Bugatti Chiron is a hypercar from Bugatti, which is part of Volkswagen AG. The car was officially presented to the public in 2016. The release of the next original car from the French company – the successor of the famous Veyron – was the most important event of the whole 2016. The whole model range is Bugatti.

The history of the car

Demonstrated during the Geneva Motor Show Bugatti Sharon once again managed to surprise the public with a beautiful execution of the original body, perfection of aerodynamics, as well as luxurious interior decoration. This supercar has unusual technical solutions. The creators have invested technological innovations in its production.

In our language the novelty is pronounced as “Chiron”, “Chiron”, although the correct pronunciation of the surname of the racer after whom the car was named sounds like “Chiron” in French. Louis Chiron was a factory Bugatti racer for 10 years (from 1926 to 1936). He managed to win for Bugatti the Grand Prix of Italy, Spain, Germany and France. He also had dozens of minor races to his credit.

However, the novelty has come a long way before it appears in public. A lot of time has passed from the project to the serial production. For the first time the concept version was shown in 1999, immediately after VW acquired Bugatti. Then spies with cameras throughout 16 years entertained the public with pirated photos from tests of the concept, which cardinally differed from reality.

It was decided to name the car “Chiron” after Louis Alexandre Chiron, an automobile racer who traveled all over Europe with official visits, flew to America and visited China, Singapore and Japan.

If you pay attention to the indexation of the concept car, the number 18/3 positions the third model of Bugatti Chiron with an engine, where 18 cylinders are placed in three rows. In keeping with its tradition of creating the bodies of two-door coupes EB 118, the famous ItalDesign studio was responsible for developing the exterior. Its director was Giorgetto Giugiaro. The project was completed by the son of the founder of the Italian studio, Fabrizio Giugiaro.

Exterior

When a concept version of the Bugatti Veyron Gran Turismo was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015, many thought that it was a new version of the sports car. However, this prototype later got its own name, the Chiron. It is seriously similar to the Veyron, but also has individual differences, both externally and internally.

As for the front end of the Bugatti Chiron, it has been stretched, just like the last car. Judging by the characteristic small radiator grille, which has a chrome trim, it is clear that the powerful power plant is located behind the seats. In the front there is a place for a very small suitcase.

On top of the Bugatti Chiron’s grille is the emblem of the French company. There is no bumper as such, as it is combined with the side fenders. The lower part of the front area of the Bugatti Chiron Sport was highlighted with two holes with mesh inserts to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Very expressive and austere looks modern LED optics.

Instead of the traditional round or oblong headlights, the optics of the “French” got a square shape, 4 on each side. A large number of beauty elements of the sports car is not found here, as a group of engineers and designers wanted to improve aerodynamics as much as possible.

In total, the French company Bugatti wants to produce 500 Chiron model cars.

If we talk about the side, it is very similar to the Bugatti Veyron. The wheel arches look more blown out, and the doors and mirrors decided not to change – they have turn repeaters. The company boasts of improved aerodynamics. The air intake, located near the side doors, was tightened from the bottom, all the way around to the front pillar. The Veyron couldn’t boast that size of air intake. The Buggati Chiron’s rear fenders, like the front fenders, are made monolithic with the struts.

The roof of the sports car did not get a sunroof or a panorama. Instead, it will be equipped with a stiffening rib, because the speed of the car is very high, and overloads will be enormous. Decorating the side of the fast car are 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels with a nice design. This ratio improves grip and handling. Special Michelin 285/30 R20 tires in the front and 355/25 R21 in the rear are installed. The ground clearance height is 100 millimeters.

The front end of the Buggati Chiron seriously stands out from its predecessor. Whereas previously there was a round rear optic, the new model boasts a long, full-width LED strip with streamlined strips on the sides. Above the taillights there is a place for the company’s logo in the form of the letter “B”. Above this letter, engineers placed a hidden antifender, which as it accelerates and aerodynamic conditions can change position and height in relation to the wind flow.

This allows the new 2019 Buggati Chiron to press against the asphalt and improve maneuverability. In the center, the French specialists installed a motor cover. It is hard not to notice the exhaust system of the hypercar. It is placed in the center, has large shapes, chrome nozzles and is divided into 4 holes.

However, if you look closely, you can see that there are a total of six of them. The body was created using lightweight materials, carbon fiber, carbon fiber. Engineers avoided using metal. The exterior of the new Bugatti Chiron 2020 looks strict and really rich, despite the fact that the exterior was designed for power and aerodynamics.

Interior

The interior is also excellent. There are no unnecessary elements, which helps the driver of the luxury sports coupe not to be distracted from the road. Leather upholstery of the highest quality is present everywhere. The level of assembly is also perfect. For the driver and the only passenger of the Bugatti Sharon 2020, the company’s specialists have provided excellent sports seats that hold the driver and passenger in the corners.

You won’t find an abundance of space here, as this is a different class of car, but there is enough for two passengers. The separation between the driver and passenger has an oval style. The same shape has been fitted to the side of the model. All this neatly passes to the tunnel, on which the armrest and a compact compartment for small items are located.

There is nothing else, which is a bit unusual, but correct, as for a supercar. Only Bugatti can somehow incomprehensibly combine the minimalism and spartan decoration of hypercars with the luxury of prestigious S-Class cars. Inside, oval, flowing lines prevail. Made of carbon fiber, the interior is trimmed with expensive varieties of leather and aluminum inserts.

Interestingly, the Bugatti Chiron 2020 has a central panel with a speedometer showing up to 500 kilometers per hour.

The three-spoke steering wheel is trimmed in leather and carbon. The steering wheel is truncated at the bottom. It is a comfortable and excellent “steering wheel”, equipped with buttons for the most important functions. As for the dashboard, it boasts a huge analog tachometer, in which a small electronic speedometer is inserted. On the sides, the engineers have placed monitors that show the necessary data, for example, information about the navigation.

Inside you can also find a cooled glovebox, as well as a branded audio system, designed for 4 tweeters, in which one-karat membranes are installed. The center console of the new Bugatti Chiron 2020 has a minimal number of elements. The console has four circular adjustments for various functions, for example, air conditioning of the seats.

In addition, there is room for an alarm button and a small fire selector of the transmission, which will be discussed further. There is a luggage compartment, and it is located in the front. Its volume is 44 liters, which is quite a good result for this class.

Specifications

Powertrain

The main weapon of the new Bugatti Shiron 2020 is a 8.0-liter 16-cylinder power plant, taken over from the Veyron. However, the specialists subjected it to a thorough modernization. It has four turbochargers, which work in series (one pair of compressors operates immediately, and the other switches on after 3,800 revolutions per minute).

There are also 32 nozzles for direct fuel injection, a carbon fiber intake manifold, and a 64-valve timing system. As a result, such a “beast” generates as much as 1,500 horsepower. Actually, already from 2,000 rpm the car has steam draft of 1,600 Nm.

Not many people know, but on the stand this power unit developed power of 3 500 horsepower. It’s clear that this is a lot for such a car, so the design department decided to limit its potential power.

Transmission

Such powerful efforts are transmitted from the engine using a 7-band DSG robotized transmission, which has a double clutch and an all-wheel drive transmission with a Haldex clutch. There is also an electronically locking front axle and an active self-locking rear differential. By default, the system divides the traction in the proportion of 45/55, however, when necessary, it can transfer to the front up to 90 percent of the effort.

If we talk about dynamic performance, they are really impressive. Already in 2.5 seconds the Bugatti Chiron reaches a speed mark of 100 kilometers per hour. And after 6.5 seconds, the car will reach a mark of 200 kilometers per hour. Hypercar can accelerate to 300 km/h in 13.6 seconds. Maximum speed does not exceed 420 kilometers per hour (electronic limitation).

Not many people know, but to accelerate to this “maximum” should be when you reach 360 km/h run with the second key “speed” mode. In theory, the car is capable to reach 463 kilometers per hour if the “collar” is removed. If you drive continuously at the maximum speed mode, the 100-liter fuel tank will be empty after 9 minutes.

Undercarriage

The foundation for the Bugatti Chiron 2020 is a carbon fiber monocoque. Subframes are attached to it at the front (aluminum) and rear (carbon), and its torsional stiffness is 50,000 Nm per degree. In addition, almost all external elements and the airbag casing are made of carbon fiber. The French hypercar has got independent suspension of spring and lever type on all wheels. There are also electronically controlled shock absorbers, which are able to adjust the clearance depending on the situation.

The Shiron has a rack-and-pinion type steering wheel and adaptive electric booster. The braking system is worked out seriously since it is necessary to stop the car which moves with a huge speed in a short period of time. Thus, the “Frenchman” can boast of 420 millimeters of front and 400 millimeters of rear brake disks, which were made from carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide.

The aluminum 8-piston and 6-piston calipers work with them, respectively. An auxiliary role during deceleration is played by the antifender, which rises almost vertically and significantly increases the drag coefficient. The Bugatti Chiron 2020 has five different driving modes: Auto, Lift, Handling, Autobahn and Top Speed. You can change shock absorber stiffness, ground clearance height and efforts on the steering wheel using these presets.

In addition, you can change the operation of the four-wheel drive system, braking system and active aerodynamics. With “Auto” mode, the machine’s brains themselves select the settings as they see fit. In “Lift” mode it is possible to drive no more than 50 kilometers per hour and to overcome “lying policemen”. The “Autobahn” preset is automatically activated when the speed limit of 180 kilometers per hour is reached. It changes the suspension to a more comfortable one. The “Handling” mode is better for track driving. The last mode “Top Speed” is focused on reaching the speed limit.

Safety

The Bugatti Chiron hypercar is equipped with a carbon monocoque capable of withstanding great overloads and shocks at high speed. The standard set boasts airbags in the “steering wheel” of the car and on the front panel for the passenger. The front pillars and sides are equipped with side airbags.

The specialists did not forget to install a system of directional stabilization, a rear camera, and technology that monitors the blind spots. The sports suspension allows for easy and maneuverable handling, and thanks to special ceramic brakes and an adaptive antifender, the car’s soft stopping is improved. Various electronic systems such as ABS, ESP and so on are provided.

Comparison with competitors

Although this niche is not common, the “Frenchman” still has its competitors. These are Hennessey Venom F5, Koenigsegg Agera XS, McLaren P1, Pagani Huayra, Ferrari 488 Pista, Lamborghini Veneno. Each car is seriously different and has its own advantages and nuances.

Reviews of owners

Since the Bugatti Chiron car is a rare car, reviews on it are not easy to find, but they do exist. Bugatti Chiron owners note the level of luxury, reduced gasoline consumption compared to the Veyron model. The headlights shine better, the braking system works much more correctly. The novelty stands out for its dynamic performance, good suspension and excellent handling.

Pros and cons

Summing up

To summarize, we would like to say that the engineers of the French company Bugatti were able to produce a worthy replacement for its past model Veyron. The new Bugatti Chiron has a more modern appearance, stylish, practical front optics, which illuminates the road much better. Inside, everything is also comfortable and safe. All the finishing materials speak of the status of this car.

The novelty received increased power, faster dynamic performance. Sports car from France has a good suspension, allowing easy maneuvering, which increased stability. There is also adaptive suspension, which can change the height of ground clearance.

Some people think that the French released the Bugatti Veyron in a new guise, but this is far from it. It’s a pity that no more than 500 of these cars will be produced. Besides, it is not possible to drive them in Russia yet. However, you can easily buy the car in Europe, where you can drive it.

We advise you to read the article: Bugatti Automobiles History

Bugatti Chiron photos