Unveiling the Legendary Bugatti Chiron: A Thrilling Journey Back to Its Roots

Before the Bugatti Chiron made its grand entrance at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, it roamed the French hills near Molsheim, France, much like the enigmatic hound in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles. This hypercar's roar echoed through the peaceful Alsatian town that Bugatti calls home, igniting curiosity and whispers among locals. The Chiron remained an enigma; glimpses were fleeting, and its true nature remained shrouded in mystery.

Time has peeled back the layers of secrecy. Bugatti has unveiled the story behind the legend. Every Chiron undergoes a 220-mile test drive along the scenic roads surrounding its historic headquarters, making it a familiar sight to the townsfolk. Our journey took us to Bugatti's covert factory nestled in northwestern France, close to the German border, where we had the opportunity to drive the Chiron on the very roads it was born from.

A French Rendez-vous

Awaiting our presence was the Chiron, stationed gracefully within Bugatti's estate, nestled between the former stables and the 1920s greenhouse where the company's founder, Ettore Bugatti, cultivated exotic fruit trees and basil. The black-on-orange color scheme, more captivating in reality than our images can convey, caught our attention. Look closely, and the black reveals itself as bare carbon fiber coated with layers of clear protection.

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The interior boasts top-tier materials, elevating the Chiron to the ranks of the world's most exquisite cars. The lavish use of carbon fiber, expectedly, intertwines with leather and various aluminum components.

Interestingly, the Chiron defies the touchscreen trend. Its center console features a sleek, sloping metal panel with four dials, each encompassing a small digital screen and a button. High-resolution screens flanking the analog speedometer offer customizable driver information, infotainment choices, navigation assistance, and settings for connectivity and vehicle parameters.

“The Bugatti Chiron's top speed, which we chose not to verify on public roads, is somewhere above 260 mph.”

Bugatti deliberately designed this interior to stand the test of time; dash-mounted screens quickly reveal a car's age. The driver wields steering wheel buttons to tailor screen data, including a tachometer, real-time engine power display, tire pressure and temperature readouts, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge. The meticulously detailed graphics underline Bugatti's thorough design process.

One button on the wheel ignites the engine, initiating the true tale of the Chiron.

Automotive Marvel

The Chiron reigns as the supreme ruler of the supercar realm, sporting an 8.0-liter W16 engine boosted by quad-turbocharging to achieve 1,500 horsepower at 6,700 rpm, and an impressive 1,180 pound-feet of torque spanning 2,000 to 6,000 rpm. Meticulously assembled and rigorously tested for eight hours, this mid-mounted 16-cylinder powerhouse dispatches power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Imagine Dodge's Hellcat engine found in the Charger and Challenger. The Chiron outpaces it with over twice the horsepower and twice the cylinder count. The acceleration is awe-inspiring. The English language lacks words to capture the tantalizing sensation that comes with pressing the accelerator pedal, invoking Alsace's backdrop to life.

Think about this: The 4,400-pound Chiron hits 60 mph quicker than you can open your phone's Twitter app. Bugatti claims a mere 2.3 seconds. In just 6.5 seconds, the speedometer rockets to 124 mph. That's roughly twice as fast as a Volkswagen Golf GTI, a performance-oriented model that's already quicker than the average new car.

The top speed, which we opted not to assess on public roads, comfortably exceeds 260 mph. Bugatti hasn't conducted formal testing, and its CEO recently stated that pursuing top speed records isn't a priority. Here's an interesting tidbit: Unlocking 260-plus mph requires a specialized key discreetly concealed between the driver's seat and door panel. Bugatti's Le Mans-winning chief test driver, Andy Wallace, revealed that an electronic limiter restricts the Chiron to 237 mph without the special key. Quite a “limit,” isn't it?

“Even with 1,491 of the 1,500 horses under the hood, we couldn't break the tires' grip on dry pavement.”

Enormous carbon ceramic brakes and a rear spoiler doubling as an air brake swiftly quell the Chiron's momentum, mirroring its rapid acceleration. The auditory element amplifies the experience of driving the Chiron. The 16 cylinders settle into a rich, full-bodied idle and unleash a thunderous growl as they ascend the rev range. The quartet of turbochargers contributes an intense whooooossshhhh, akin to an Airbus A330 taking off.

And then comes the grip. You might assume that 1,500 horsepower would induce epic burnouts. Think again. Even when the digital gauge indicated that 1,491 of the 1,500 horses were at play, the tires clung steadfastly to dry pavement. We watched in amazement as the Chiron negotiated sharp bends without a hint of traction loss. The precise steering effectively translates the road's messages through the wheel.

Now, don't misunderstand us: Our drive wasn't just about accelerating with a wide grin. We also employed the Chiron as an everyday vehicle. We ventured onto the highway, maintained a modest pace slightly above the limit to avoid speed cameras, and cruised through idyllic villages once part of the Roman Republic's dominion. Julius Caesar would surely give his approval.

The Chiron isn't solely an invitation to automotive mischief. It seamlessly transitions between being mild and incredibly comfortable for cruising. It's more spacious internally than it appears. With an expanded budget for fuel, you could traverse Europe without risking hearing loss or spinal discomfort. In essence, it excels as a regular car.

Even the transmission, a typical Achilles' heel in the supercar world, cooperated harmoniously. In spirited driving, it executes precise, well-timed shifts without any dramatics. The system operates autonomously, yet the driver can also intervene via the steering wheel-mounted paddles. During leisurely drives, the transmission effortlessly cycles through the gears without venturing into the upper echelons of the rev range.

“Drawbacks? Yes, there are a few. Bugatti asks nearly $3 million for a Chiron.

The primary challenge of piloting the Chiron through Alsace's vineyard-strewn landscape involves handling its substantial dimensions. At 80.2 inches, it boasts the same width as a Chevrolet Suburban, a model not available in Europe due to its imposing size. Additionally, the Chiron sits remarkably low to the ground. Speed bumps offer no exemptions; they treat the Chiron equally, regardless of its cost, rarity, or the composition of its underbelly. We embraced the lift mode, a suspension-raising feature at low speeds, with the same enthusiasm as receiving a well-stocked Christmas hamper.

Visually Arresting, Emotionally Captivating

Understanding why the name Chiron evokes a sense of reverence is uncomplicated. It ascends to performance heights unmatched by any other machine on Earth. Beyond zero-to-60 statistics, we're delving into the overall encounter. It's a celebration of the art of driving.

Drawbacks? There are indeed some. Bugatti charges nearly $3 million for a Chiron, transforming it into a luxurious ode to the art of driving. The production run will cease after Bugatti's Atelier produces 500 units, and 100 of those have already secured their destinations.

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