Bugatti is gearing up to introduce the Chiron successor, and details about the highly anticipated hypercar are starting to emerge. One of the most significant changes is the switch from the Chiron’s quad-turbocharged W16 engine to a 90-degree V16 engine. This information has been confirmed by Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, who shared some intriguing details about the new powertrain during his appearance at the Financial Times’ Future of the Car summit in London.
According to Rimac, the new engine unit is a whopping 39.4 inches long, making it 15.8 inches longer than the W16 engine found in the Chiron. When factoring in the hybrid element, the power unit’s length extends to almost 78.7 inches. It’s worth noting that Rimac faced some obstacles to get this engine approved. In the past, Bugatti’s former CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, had hinted at an electric SUV and even confirmed that a “three-door, ultra-premium crossover SUV” was in development. However, Rimac managed to convince Volkswagen Group bosses that a full electric vehicle wasn’t the right move at a time when most automakers were focusing on electrification.
The new Bugatti hypercar will feature a V16 engine that has been developed with the help of Cosworth. The engine has been bored out to 8.3 liters, can rev up to an impressive 9,000 rpm, and is capable of producing around 1,000 metric horsepower (986 U.S. horsepower). This power output is almost double that of the Cizeta V16T’s V16 engine, which made 540 horsepower. Additionally, a hybrid element will add another 800 horsepower to the final configuration, surpassing the Chiron’s 1,587-horsepower swan song.
The hybrid system in the new Bugatti will consist of three electric motors: one 340-horsepower motor in the eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle and two more 340-horsepower motors up front, powering the front wheels. The car will also house a 24.8-kWh battery in a layout similar to Rimac’s Nevera, offering an estimated 60 kilometers of pure electric range.
Bugatti is aiming to keep the weight of the new hypercar under 4,400 pounds, which is around 500 pounds more than a BMW M4 Competition. This target weight would make the car approximately 150 pounds lighter than the Chiron. Preliminary specifications suggest that the new Bugatti can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just two seconds, reach 124 mph in less than five seconds, 186 mph in under ten seconds, and a top speed of 249 mph in less than 25 seconds. The entry-level trim is rumored to have a top speed of 277 mph, surpassing the Chiron. Interestingly, a graphic on a gift box acquired by YouTuber Marques Brownlee indicates a speedometer that goes up to 550 kilometers per hour, which is 342 mph, 31 mph above the Chiron’s speedometer.
While details about the car’s design features are still scarce, it has been observed that the new hypercar may not require a deployable wing for high-speed stability. Reports suggest that the coupe’s underbody aerodynamics will provide enough stability, eliminating the need for an additional wing. However, this information is not confirmed yet.
The official unveiling of the Chiron successor will take place next month, possibly on June 20 at Bugatti’s headquarters in Molsheim, France. According to The Supercar Blog, production of this limited-edition hypercar could be restricted to 300 units or even fewer. With its powerful V16 engine, hybrid system, and impressive performance capabilities, the new Bugatti hypercar is set to be a game-changer in the automotive world.
