Let’s take an in-depth look at all the versions of the Bugatti Chiron available on the market.
Breaking news! According to Bugatti as of January 2022, all of its Chiron models have been sold! Is this the end of one of the world’s most exclusive cars?
Relax folks, there’s still plenty of time for Bugatti to build its top models of the Chiron, but all orders have been filled. So there are some very lucky people out there, as this car will just appreciate in value over the years.
Bugatti Chiron
Let’s start with the standard model. The Bugatti Chiron was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. With an already ageing Veyron, the Chiron took over to become Bugatti’s new flagship model… but not only that.
The brand’s engineers took the Veyron’s massive 8-litre quad-turbo W16 engine and carried out an extensive overhaul. After modifying the ECU, and a subtle tweak to the engine block and cylinder heads, they managed to push this gem to develop 1479 HP and 1600 Nm of torque.
With the heart of the beast ready, a 7-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox and four-wheel drive were fitted. It is worth noting that both the engine and mechanical components are made of lightweight and strong materials to withstand the high speeds at which the Chiron travels.
Above the powertrain rests a beautifully sculpted carbon fibre and titanium bodywork. The artwork from the hands of craftsmen and designers brought back from racing cars have made the most of every nook and cranny of the car. Every shape, every fin, and every silhouette is designed to improve cooling, downforce, and drag reduction.
For example, the air intake and the shape of the Chiron’s front end allow 60,000 litres of air per minute to be pumped and 800 litres of water circulates per minute directly and around the engine to keep it cool so it will run at it’s best performance. It even has a total of 10 radiators with the catalytic converter being a master piece of engineering having a surface area of 30 football pitches.
It’s just out of our minds! On the other hand, the homologated fuel consumption of this beast is 22.34 litres per 100 km – in English, that’s around 11 miles per gallon – and it is certified in the G emissions category.
The interior offers nothing but comfort, luxury and attention to detail with exquisite materials such as Italian leather and polished aluminium trim. So passengers will feel the 0-60 acceleration in 2.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 261 mph.
Sadly all 200 units of the base model were sold for £2 million each and Bugatti is no longer accepting new orders. What is certain is that the Chiron, like the Veyron, will remain with us until the arrival of its successor.
Bugatti Chiron Sport
Let’s go back in time to the 2018 Geneva Motor Show where Bugatti unveiled the first variant of the Chiron: the Chiron Sport.
The brand’s initial intention was to bring a sporty version of the Chiron – if it wasn’t already that sporty – for those enthusiasts willing to pay £2.5 million to drive one of these on a race track.
The first difference from the standard model is in its weight, some 18 kilograms lighter; reinforced chassis and a diet of carbon fibre add structural rigidity and lightness to the car. We’re talking about everything from the windscreen wipers to the four exhausts are made of carbon fibre.
The suspensions were optimised for a better race car feel, stiffening the dampers by 10 per cent. As a bonus, the Sport features an optimised rear differential and torque vectoring that makes it take the tightest corners precisely and without losing speed.
Comfort is not left behind. Inside the cabin, the interior is trimmed in Alcantara, premium leather and carbon fibre. The seats, in addition to being functional for track use, offer the comfort of the base version.
On the technical side of things, there is still the massive 8-litre, 1479 HP W16 quad-turbocharged engine. The lighter weight makes the Sport go from 0-60 in 2.3 seconds, one-tenth of a second faster than the standard version, and top speed of 261 mph. Fuel consumption and emissions figures are exactly the same as the standard Chiron.
Oh, and to make it clear that this is the sports version, the car is painted in a fine racing red and a huge number 16 adorns the front grille as a reminder of the 16-cylinder engine.
Bugatti Chiron Sport 110 Ans
To celebrate the brand’s 110th anniversary, some 20 units of the Chiron Sport were earmarked to present the Chiron Sport 110 Ans.
The brand intended to pay tribute to its founding father, Ettore Bugatti, who in 1909 founded a company that at the time was a sensation in the world of racing.
The Sport 110 Ans was unveiled in 2019 as a tribute on wheels to the heritage of Ettore Bugatti and the French motorsport tradition.
The carbon fibre bodywork has a blue finish that contrasts well with the black of the fibre. The tricolour flag of France is visible on almost every corner of the car, especially on the rear wing. In addition, sandblasted commemorative plaques can be found on the sides of the car.
In the interior, there is a display of ornaments and commemorations of the 110 years of the brand. It is entirely covered in soft blue leather. The door frames, side panels and seat areas are lined in fine Alcantara. As a contrast, French racing blue makes its presence felt on the seats and other cabin fittings.
For £2.5 million, and annual insurance premiums of £38,455, this limited-edition tribute to 110 years of Bugatti is the dream car that any fan of the brand would want to own.
Before we continue, I invite you to like this video and subscribe to the channel so we can bring you more content related to the world of motorsport. Do you want to see more video? After this short stop, let’s meet the version of the Chiron that flies through the skies.
Bugatti Chiron Sport “Les Légendes du Ciel”
Translated as “The Legends of the Sky”, this version of the Sport was made in memory of those French racing pilots who also flew for the French Air Force. This version was limited to 20 units and sold for £2.2 million.
According to Bugatti’s official website, Les Légendes du Ciel is a celebration of the memory of Roland Garros, Albert Divo, Louis Biérlot, among others.
They took a Chiron Sport painted in “Gris Serpent” – a colour that emulates the metallic finish of early 20th century aircraft – to which they painted a central racing line.
The front end has a functional front wing that emulates the wings of the Nieuport 17 biplane that many of these pilots flew. The front grille was changed to place the aircraft pattern in parade formation. Two French flags complete the external decoration. As an extra, the roof of this version can be ordered in glass for a panoramic view from the cockpit.
The interior is covered in gaucho brown leather and polished metal trim with the Les Légendes du Ciel emblem indicating the unit number. Beyond being a cosmetic version, the Sport Les Légend du Ciel is a well-deserved tribute to those who conquered the Grands Prix of the early 20th century aboard a Bugatti.
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
The Pur Sport goes a little further where the Sport reaches its limits. With 60 units planned for production and an asking price of £2.8 million, let’s see what’s new.
The gearbox was tuned to have a shorter gear ratio, 15 per cent shorter than the Sport, and raise the speed limit to 6900 rpm.
The suspensions were again optimised. The front ones are 65% firmer and the rear ones 33% firmer which, according to Bugatti, do not affect ride comfort and deliver even more of a sporty Grand Tourer feel. To complement this, new carbon fibre anti-roll bars were installed for added rigidity.
These simple modifications mean the Pur Sport maintains greater cornering speed and maintains momentum on corner exit. In addition, a further 50 kg weight reduction makes it lighter and more agile on the track.
How did they achieve this? Well, by using Alcantara throughout most of the cabin, replacing the exhaust with a 3D printed titanium exhaust, a new set of 35% lighter wheels than the Sport and eliminating the pneumatic actuators on the new rear wing.
The Pur Sport includes electronic aids, such as Sport+, which offer traction control and cornering stability control. Although it has a top speed of 217 mph and accelerates from 0-60 in 2.4 seconds, this version is meant to be enjoyed on the racetrack.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+
At Bugatti, they take speed records very seriously. It’s part of their identity, to be the fastest and most luxurious on the planet. With the competition launching production models with speeds of nearly 250 mph, Bugatti didn’t sit idly by.
So they took an extensively modified Chiron Sport. Every part, every bolt, and every detail was checked before the prototype was launched. That’s how on August 2, 2019, the Super Sport 300+ broke the 300 mph speed barrier for a car.
The prototype reached an accurate speed of 304.773 mph. This achievement took it to 30 production units, each sold for an astonishing £4 million. But, stop right there! Did you think Bugatti would sell 300+ mph cars to the public? Yeah, right.
Although the engine has 100 more HP than the standard Chiron, each unit is electronically limited for the safety of its customers… but, if after signing a strict cease and desist agreement and paying for the installation of a roll cage, it is possible to reach 300mph on the Ehra-Lessien test track.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
After achieving the speed record with the Super Sport 300+, Bugatti wanted to give its most exclusive customers a limited series that combines the power of the SS 300+ with the luxury that characterises the brand.
Let’s take a look at some of the technical data for a moment. The engine is still the enormous 8-litre quad-turbo W16 with 1479 HP. From 0 to 60 in 2.4 seconds, sequential transmission, four-wheel drive. All in keeping with a Chiron, but what about the top speed?
Well, before we get there, we’d better take a look at the design of this car. If we look at the rear, the now upright exhausts give space to the diffuser designed to give aerodynamic stability at high speeds.
The front suspensions were strengthened, and the chassis received a thorough overhaul to tolerate speeds of 200 mph. For this model, custom-made Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres were used, which were X-rayed to ensure that there was not the slightest irregularity.
The tyres also have a carbon fibre casing to cope with the enormous forces they will be subjected to, which is why they were tested on an aircraft test rig.
Inside, it is difficult to find any differences from a standard Chiron, except for the dashboard. While in the standard Chiron the red line is at around 6700 rpm, in the Super Sport this limit rises to 7100 rpm.
All this attention to detail at the OCD level means that the Chiron Super Sport reaches a mind-blowing 271 mph on a single tank of petrol. Only 9 units were produced and sold for £2.75 million because driving in the fastest and most luxurious car in the world is exclusive.
Bugatti Chiron Edition Noire
To close the catalogue we have the Edition Noire of the Chiron. Inspired by the work done with La Voiture Noire, Bugatti took 20 of their Chiron Sport and removed all traces of paint different from black.
This edition comes in two versions: the Edition Noire Sportive with a matte black paint coat, black interior and the same features as the Chiron Sport; the Edition Noire Élégance uses the same type of paint as La Voiture Noire – exposed carbon fibre with a protective coating – and black detailing on the wheels.
At £2.5 million, the Chiron Edition Noire could be considered the economy version of La Voiture Noire.
How many chirons were made?
As the Veyron’s replacement, the Chiron was originally introduced in 2016. Since then, various special versions have been produced, notably the Super Sport 300+, which reached 300 mph on the Ehra-Lessien test track in 2019. There will only be 500 Chirons made in all, and as of last autumn, 300 had already been made.
In my opinion, the Bugatti Chiron represents the pinnacle of vehicle engineering. What makes it so enticing is how strikingly different it is from anything else out there in terms of style (even Lamborghini) and how incredible its performance is. Even though there are only a few hundred of these cars produced, there is a reason why you often see magazine coverage of them. Without a doubt, none of us readers will ever drive one. It doesn’t matter; even if simply visually, admiring greatness is natural.
But wait! I hear you say what about the others?????
These 8 variants of the Chiron were not the only ones available for sale. In fact, several other models share the Chiron’s platform that with the magic of the coachbuilders became true pieces of art.