Bugatti Can't Make The Chiron Faster Without Electricity

The next Bugatti Chiron will have to be a hybrid, says the company’s boss – but not because of any environmental concerns. Don’t be silly, etc.

Instead, going part-electric will be the only way to even attempt to better the 1479bhp Chiron’s other-worldly performance – if it can ever be beaten at all. A performance-based approach would mirror what Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren have achieved with the fabled Holy Trinity.

The current car weighs two tonnes and yet, in its current trim, can race from 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds and reach 261mph – the known safe limits of the tyres and other components. With tech improvements over the next seven years of the Chiron’s life span, that could feasibly surpass 275mph. Beating performance like this won’t be easy.

In an interview with Autocar, Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Durheimer said:

“Electrification will happen.

“The next car is a long way from being developed, but the way battery and electric motor technology is moving on – as well as regulations – it seems certain that the next car will be electrified in some way. It will still be too soon for a full electric car, I think – but electrification will happen.”

But he also made it clear that ‘in pure mechanical terms’ the Chiron may never be beaten, adding to its enduring reputation enough for him to be considering buying one as an investment. It’s alright for some…

“There will probably never be a car with the pure mechanical capabilities of the Chiron. The fact that it may never be beaten in pure mechanical terms makes it incredibly desirable.”

Bugatti is at the initial stages of thinking about the Chiron’s successor, speaking to customers and laying out targets versus what is technically possible. The car should be in production for eight years in total, and 280 of the planned 500 units have so far been sold. Special editions might add extra numbers to that as it gets to middle-age and towards retirement.

Via: Autocar