Bugatti's History of Speed Records and Achievements In 2005, Bugatti blew the hypercar world away with arguably the most significant, greatest, and most important car of the 21st century, the incredible Veyron. This 1000 horsepower monster had the refinement and comfort of a Rolls Royce, the ease of use as a Golf, and with a top speed of 253mph, held the title as the fastest production car in history. Five years later, when SSC's Ultimate Aero dethroned the Veyron with a record speed of 256 mph, Bugatti struck back with the Veyron Super Sport in 2010. Now boasting 1,200 horsepower, it reclaimed the title, reaching a blistering 267 mph. For the next decade, competitors like Hennessey’s Venom GT and Koenigsegg’s Agera RS surpassed this record with speeds of 270 and 277 mph, respectively. But Bugatti, unwilling to back down, unveiled the Chiron Super Sport 300+ in 2019—the first production car to break the 300 mph barrier. With chief driver Andy Wallace at the wheel, it managed an unprecedented 305 mph. However, after this milestone, then-CEO Stephen Winkelmann announced that Bugatti would no longer focus on speed records. “We have proven several times that we build the fastest cars in the world. In the future, we will focus on other areas”. But as we’ve now learned, plans change. Mate Rimac’s Bold Plans for Bugatti Fast forward five years, and under the leadership of new CEO Mate Rimac, who acquired Bugatti in 2021, the focus is shifting back to speed. As the visionary behind Rimac Automobili, famed for creating some of the fastest-accelerating cars in the world. Most notably, the Rimac Nevera, which rockets from 0-62 mph in just 1.74 seconds. Rimac is, therefore, no stranger to breaking boundaries. It was only right that now, steering Bugatti, Rimac has his sights set on reclaiming speed records. When asked if Bugatti was done chasing them, his response was simple: “It was. It isn’t.” This statement not only honors Bugatti’s record-breaking history but also implies Rimac’s knack for shattering records will drive the brand into its next era of innovation. The Tourbillion Obviously, the machine to carry this new torch of record-breaking is Bugatti’s latest engineering marvel, the Tourbillon. This next-generation hypercar combines the best of both worlds—an 8.3-litre Cosworth-developed V16 engine paired with three Rimac-engineered electric motors. Together, this setup generates a staggering 1,775 horsepower, making the Tourbillon one of the most powerful cars ever produced. 0–62 is claimed to be 2 seconds, and the top speed has had to be limited to 276mph to prevent the tyres from bursting. However, with its improved aerodynamics, industry insiders believe that the Tourbillon or a future Super Sport variant could easily surpass the 305 mph mark set by the Chiron Super Sport 300+, keeping Bugatti in the race for speed supremacy. Balancing Speed with Advancements in Handling and Comfort in Bugatti’s New Era But Rimac and his team aren’t focused solely on raw speed. Bugatti's Chief Technology Officer, Emilio Scervo, has made it clear that the brand’s future will be about balance, offering mind-boggling speed without sacrificing comfort or handling. “Bugatti in the future for me is going to be high speed but not at heavy cost. It has to have better aerodynamics, with a lighter car, with a more emotional engine. It is not like a scary high-speed drive, but it’s getting more emotional in the way it delivers it.”. This philosophy is embodied in the Tourbillon’s design. The V16 engine features a cross-plane crankshaft and a 90-degree bank angle, along with a new dry-sump lubrication system. These enhancements allow the engine to redline at an ear-bursting 9,000 rpm. In addition, the car’s lightweight carbon composite monocoque chassis improves both handling and weight distribution. So despite the heavy bank of batteries, the Tourbillion weighs the same as the old Chiron. Bugatti’s Return to Speed Although Rimac Automobili has only been around for a little over a decade, they have already cemented themselves as game changers in hypercar innovation. With Rimac now at the helm of Bugatti, it seems inevitable that the 115-year-old brand will return to its roots in chasing speed records with renewed vigor. The partnership between these two titans of the hypercar world—Bugatti and Rimac—is poised to produce some truly unstoppable monsters in the future. Despite previous promises to shift focus, it’s clear that Bugatti’s obsession with speed runs deep. Under Mate Rimac’s leadership, Bugatti’s pursuit of speed is far from over. Rather, it’s just beginning. Source: Motor Authority
