Key Takeaways:
– Bugatti returns to the top speed record race with their latest Tourbillon hypercar.
– The Tourbillon, offering an output of 1,775 hp, packs more power than the Chiron Super Sport 300+ which holds the company’s last record.
– Despite registering its last successful speed test of 304.7 mph with Chiron Super Sport 300+, Bugatti is not recognized by Guinness due to their one-direction run rule.
– Bugatti now competes with Koenigsegg’s Jesko Absolut for achieving the global top speed record.
Determined to Speed Up
Bugatti, the luxury automotive giant, has signalled its comeback in the high-speed competition. The French automaker had previously stepped away from the speed chase after achieving a record-breaking top speed dash in 2019 with its Chiron Super Sport 300+. With the advent of a new regime, however, Bugatti is prepared to resume its quest for velocity.
Machine Built for Speed
Two decades ago, Bugatti had astounded the car industry by introducing the Veyron, a hypercar boasting a quadruple-digit-horsepower footprint. Not content with raising the bar, Bugatti further shattered the existing land speed record for production vehicles by propelling this hypercar to a top speed of 253 mph.
With its successor, the Chiron, the focus shifted slightly. The Chiron, while incredibly powerful, was marketed without an emphasis on its top speed capabilities. This was reflected in a 2019 announcement made by Bugatti’s then-CEO, Stephan Winkelmann.
A New Chapter
Now, with new management, Bugatti appears to have rekindled its ambition for speed. But this time, it is determined to balance it with the comfort and emotion that their customers seek. This approach was underlined recently by Bugatti’s Chief Technology Officer, Emilio Scervo, who identified high speed as a crucial but not the sole directive.
Unleashing the Tourbillon
Moving forward, Bugatti envisions its top speed dreams fulfilled by the new Tourbillon. Set to debut in 2026, the Tourbillon was revealed in June as a plug-in hybrid powerhouse. This speed demon combines an 8.3-liter V-16 engine and a trio of electric motors for a total output of 1,775 hp.
The Tourbillon’s top speed is currently limited to 276 mph. However, a true Vmax above 300 mph is plausible, given Bugatti’s history with the 1,577-hp Chiron Super Sport 300+ that achieved 304.773 mph.
The Road to the Record
In the Guinness Book of Records, a two-way-speed average is considered, nullifying benefits of road gradient or tailwind. Bugatti’s previous record with the Chiron 300+ is not considered by Guinness due to its one-way run.
Currently, the record is held by the SSC Tuatara with a speed of 282.9 mph achieved in 2021. The Swedish automaker, Koenigsegg, with its potentially 300+ mph Jesko Absolut is also in contention, posing a significant challenge to Bugatti.
Ambitious Pursuits
Under Rimac’s leadership, Bugatti seems poised for another high-speed showdown. In his recent interview with The Drive, Rimac confirmed their renewed goal: “It was. It isn’t.”
As Bugatti prepares to claim its rightful place in the race for speed, the automotive world watches with bated breath. Will the Tourbillon clinch Bugatti’s ambitions or will another contender steal the crown? Time will tell.