The obsession with speed records: From 2005 onwards The Bugatti Veyron is one of the most crucial cars of the last twenty years. Not only was it by far the most refined and easiest-to-drive hypercar at the time, but with a blistering top speed of 253mph, it was the fastest car in the world. And with it came Bugatti's obsession to stay at the top of the speed game for years. 5 years after its launch, Bugatti updated the Veyron to create the Veyron Super Sport, which surpassed the standard car by 14mph with a top speed of 267mph. It was the fastest car for several years until its record was surpassed by the Koenigsegg Agera RS at 277mph. However, nearly 20 years after the Veyron Super Sport’s achievement, its successor the Chiron Super Sport 300+ did the impossible. It officially became the first production car to break the 300mph barrier with a top speed of 305mph. And just recently the Bugatti Mistral, a convertible, bespoke variant of the Chiron, achieved an impressive 282mph. This was not only a new benchmark record for convertible hypercars but proved Bugatti is the for top speed records, and the likes of Koenigsegg and Hennessey still have some distance before they can surpass it. How this obsession was nearly lost and re-found In 2019, following the Chiron Super Sport’s impressive feet, then-CEO Stephen Winkelmann announced that Bugatti would no longer focus on speed records. He stated, “We have proven several times that we build the fastest cars in the world. In the future, we will focus on other areas”. However, on the 2nd of November, 2021, Bugatti was bought by EV hypercar newcomers, Rimac. Creators of cars like the Concept One and Nevera two of the fastest accelerating cars on the planet, with 0-62mph times of less than 2 seconds. Both are the creations of Rimac’s ambitious CEO, Mate Rimac. When asked if Bugatti was done chasing records his response was blunt and simple, “It was. It isn’t.” And given the Mistral’s impressive 282mph speed record just last week, that statement seems truer than ever before. Why 310mph: The many achievements of Mate Rimac Mate Rimac recently sat down with Top Gear’s Ollie Kew, where he revealed many intrinsic details yet to be known. He revealed the Mistral’s record speed was set after a customer’s son pointed out, “wouldn't it be great to have a World Record Edition of the Mistral?” He also revealed that the Mistral’s 282mph speed, was the “33rd record in my life where I participated and the first one with Bugatti.” As well as how each Mistral built, is “highly individualised” and that cars “are becoming more custom.” When it came to the topic of 310mph, Mate Rimac revealed that that figure would be possible. The only limiting factor would be the tyres as he would constantly asked his partners at Michelin, “What's the maximum static load at zero kilometres per hour on the front and rear axle of the Turian tyre?” Nevertheless, he reassured that “We are pushing the tyre technology, the limits of tyres higher. Tyres today compared to 30 years ago are a completely different level.” And that should they reach an optimum tyre, 310mph (500km/h) would be possible, “Can we put the ‘five’ in front of the top speed record?” Maybe next. Let's see.” The Future: 310mph and Beyond Mate Rimac taking over Bugatti from Volkswagen has probably been the best decision in the firm’s 115-year-old history. As a young, ambitious CEO, he has re-invigorated life into the beloved hypercar brand, which previously was willing to give up its goal of setting new speed records. 310mph is definitely on the Horizon, and undoubtedly the new Tourbillon or a Variant of that car will carry Bugatti beyond that milestone. It's certain that under new leadership and with a passion to once again set new speed records, Bugatti is truly at a high point. To 310mph and Beyond. Koenigsegg and Hennessey don’t have a hope in hell. Source: Top Gear
