Tag: Bugatti Chiron

  • Bugatti Centodieci has reached prototype stage, naked chassis looks wild

    Over a year after its unveiling, the Bugatti Centodieci—an $8.9 million limited-edition tribute to the Bugatti EB110—has finally reached the prototype stage. A bare chassis was recently completed and started testing last week on the dynamometer at Bugatti’s factory in Molsheim, France.

    The Centodieci is based on the Bugatti Chiron but still requires significant development work. The car was first shown during the 2019 Monterey Car Week, after which designers and engineers used computer simulations to ensure the Centodieci’s bespoke bodywork and the carryover Chiron chassis components would work together.

    The word Centodieci means “110” in Italian, a reference to the EB110, which in turn was named in honor of the 110th birthday of company founder Ettore Bugatti. The EB110 was the brainchild of Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli and architect Giampaolo Benedini, who attempted to revive Bugatti in the early 1990s after decades of dormancy. While they were ultimately unsuccessful, the EB110 was one of the fastest supercars of its day, and kept the Bugatti name alive long enough for Volkswagen Group to purchase the brand and launch the Veyron in the 2000s.

    Designers gave the Centodieci styling elements from the EB110, including a glass engine cover, five round side air vents, a smaller horseshoe grille, and a more slab-sided profile.

    Bugatti Centodieci

    Bugatti Centodieci

    All of these changes could potentially interfere with cooling for the 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16 engine, while new lighting elements and a fixed rear wing could affect regulatory compliance and aerodynamics, respectively. Hence the need for extensive development work and testing, according to Bugatti.

    The W-16 is also tuned to produce 1,577 hp—97 hp more than the Chiron. Bugatti previously quoted 0-62 in 2.4 seconds, 0-124 mph in 6.1 seconds, and 0-186 mph in 13.1 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 236 mph.

    With dynamometer testing underway to check drivetrain components, the next step is to build bodywork for the naked prototype chassis, Bugatti said. That will followed by wind-tunnel and track testing, the automaker said. Deliveries are scheduled to start next year.

    Production is limited to 10 cars, all of which sold out within hours of the Centodieci’s launch.

    Source

  • Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport gets airborne during Nardo testing

    Bugatti on Wednesday released photos of its hardcore Chiron Pur Sport getting a final shakedown at Italy’s Nardo circuit ahead of the start of production later this year.

    A more track-focused version of the Chiron, the Pur Sport was unveiled in March, and the push toward production has continued despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

    Engineers are now fine-tuning the engine control system, transmission, brakes, and running gear, according to a Bugatti press release. Bugatti test driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Andy Wallace also drove the car at Nardo to give his feedback.

    The Pur Sport was designed to emphasize handling rather than top speed. To that end, engineers added carbon fiber stabilizer bars and increased negative camber by 2.5 degrees. This necessitated other suspension modifications, including stiffer springs and harder bushings, all to give the Pur Sport a more precise handling feel.

    Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport testing at Nardo

    Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport testing at Nardo

    Aerodynamic elements were tweaked to produce more downforce. Unlike the standard Chiron, the Pur Sport has a fixed rear wing, as well as a longer diffuser and model-specific wheels. The design of the wheels generates downforce, and also saves 35 pounds of weight, about one third of the total 110-pound weight savings of the Pur Sport over the Chiron. Those wheels are wrapped in Michelin tires with a softer, grippier compound than the standard Chiron’s tires.

    The changes lower the Pur Sport’s top speed to 217 mph, compared to 261 mph for the standard Chiron. Power is still provided by an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W-16, which still delivers a peak 1,480 horsepower. However, the power peak is between 6,700 rpm and 6,900 rpm—200 rpm higher than the standard Chiron.

    Production is scheduled to start this fall and just 60 Pur Sports will be built—each priced from 3 million euros (approximately  $3.5 million).

    Bugatti also started delivering the limited-edition Divo hypercar to customers last month. Its development of the world’s fastest car, the Chiron Super Sport 300+, is ongoing, however..

    Source