Bugatti Sets New Speed Record in Chiron Prototype

Bugatti made headlines all over the world back in 2018 when they set a new record with the Bugatti Chiron, which managed to accelerate from 0-400km/h and back down to 0km/h in 41,96-seconds. Koenigsegg, another hypercar manufacturer from Sweden, responded to Bugatti a month later by doing the same run in just 36,44-seconds.

Since then, both manufacturers have been working relentlessly in the pursuit of a new target – 300mph, or 482km/h. As much as Bugatti claims to not care about breaking speed records, they just did. A ‘near production prototype’ version of the Chiron just broke the record and even exceeded the 482km/h mark, setting the bar at 490km/h. The impressive speed was set at the Ehra-Lessien proving grounds test track in Germany by Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace, who also set the 240mph (386km/h) record in a McLaren F1.

“What a record! We’re overjoyed to be the first manufacturer ever to have achieved a speed of more than 300 miles per hour. It’s a milestone for eternity. I would like to thank the whole team and driver Andy Wallace for this outstanding performance,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti.

The prototype Chiron that broke the record apparently took 6 months to build. Its longer and lower than the regular Chiron and features a host of performance modifications. The electric wing and air-brake has been replaced with a fixed wing, and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres can now withstand speed of up to 510km/h. The interior has been stripped down to reduce weight, and the engine itself has also been upgraded to provide more power. The 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 from the Chiron now produces 1177kW of power. These stats don’t correspond with any of Bugatti’s current models, but the interesting black and orange colour scheme does seem very similar to that of the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport, leading us to believe that the prototype could be the next Bugatti Chiron SuperSport.

“Now Bugatti was the first to exceed the 300-mile-per-hour mark. An incredible achievement that shows what the men and women of Bugatti are capable of. But this was the last time for us. Bugatti was the first to exceed 300-mile-per-hour – its name will go down in the history books and it will stay that way forever,” Winkelmann added.

“This world record once again shows that Bugatti still builds the fastest cars in the world. But our hyper sports cars are capable of more. They offer absolute exclusivity, luxury, unmatched beauty and a high level of automotive craftsmanship. The Bugatti is the only hyper sports car that combines all of these characteristics in one vehicle. We will concentrate even more on this in the future in the context of further exciting projects,”