Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac recently gave new details about the highly anticipated replacement for the Bugatti Chiron in an interview at the Financial Times Future of the Car conference in London. Rimac revealed that the new car will be powered by a naturally aspirated V16 engine, without forced induction like its predecessor. The engine itself will be one meter long, making it 400mm longer than the engine in the Chiron.
Despite the larger engine and the integration of a substantial electric drivetrain, Rimac suggested that the new Bugatti will have a similar shape to its predecessor. Spy shots circulating on the internet indicate that the new car will have a familiar silhouette but will be lower and sleeker than the Chiron.
Mate Rimac, known for his work creating electric hypercars, explained that he pushed for the V16 engine because he believed it was essential to maintain differentiation between Bugatti and Rimac. He stated that making an electric version of the Rimac Nevera as a replacement for the Chiron would have been wrong for the Bugatti brand.
Rimac emphasized the importance of making the Bugatti powerplant “as emotional as possible.” He wanted it to feel special and not just comparable to other high-powered engines. While Rimac did not provide a specific power figure for the new Bugatti, he hinted that it would have comfortably more than 1000bhp. Reports suggest that the engine has a capacity of 8.3 liters and was developed by Cosworth.
The new Bugatti will be the first production car in decades to use such an engine, with the last one being the Cizeta-Moroder V16T in 1991. Bugatti has described its first hybrid powertrain as “incomparable in every detail” and a pure embodiment of Bugatti’s DNA.
The design of the new car was signed off early last year, with designer Achim Anscheidt stating that it will bring Bugatti into a new era while retaining signature cues such as the horseshoe grille and crescent-shaped beltline. Frank Heyl, Bugatti’s new design chief, promised that the new car will be even more amazing than the Chiron in terms of proportion, technology, innovation, and unexpectedness.
The specifics of how the hybrid drivetrain will work are not yet confirmed, such as whether the engine-off running will be possible or if the two propulsion systems will work together for maximum power output.
Overall, the upcoming Bugatti replacement promises to be a thrilling and emotional hypercar that stays true to the brand’s heritage while embracing electrification. With its powerful V16 engine and hybrid system, it is set to offer incredible performance and a unique driving experience.