Automotive

Bugatti works unshackled speed into every atom of Chiron Super Sport

Bugatti works unshackled speed into every atom of Chiron Super Sport
Bugatti steps the Chiron up to the next level with the Super Sport model
Bugatti steps the Chiron up to the next level with the Super Sport model
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The design of the Chiron Super Sport was heavily influenced by wind tunnel testing
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The design of the Chiron Super Sport was heavily influenced by wind tunnel testing
The Chiron Super Sport features new five Y-spoke aluminum wheels, and lighter magnesium wheels are available optionally
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The Chiron Super Sport features new five Y-spoke aluminum wheels, and lighter magnesium wheels are available optionally
The Chiron Super Sport gains a long tail for added aerodynamic performance
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The Chiron Super Sport gains a long tail for added aerodynamic performance
Bugatti spent extra time on the Chiron Super Sport rear-end, enhancing aerodynamics and rearranging components accordingly
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Bugatti spent extra time on the Chiron Super Sport rear-end, enhancing aerodynamics and rearranging components accordingly
Nine holes on each front fender tie into the EB 110 Super Sport from the 1990s and enhance aero performance
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Nine holes on each front fender tie into the EB 110 Super Sport from the 1990s and enhance aero performance
Bugatti puts a 273-mph speed limit on the Chiron Super Sport, but it seems capable of more
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Bugatti puts a 273-mph speed limit on the Chiron Super Sport, but it seems capable of more
Bugatti promises an unparalleled mix of speed and luxury
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Bugatti promises an unparalleled mix of speed and luxury
The vertical quad exhaust is one of the most visually defining features separating Chiron Super Sport from Chiron
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The vertical quad exhaust is one of the most visually defining features separating Chiron Super Sport from Chiron
Bugatti steps the Chiron up to the next level with the Super Sport model
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Bugatti steps the Chiron up to the next level with the Super Sport model
The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport accelerates to 124 mph in 5.8 seconds
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The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport accelerates to 124 mph in 5.8 seconds
Bugatti gives the Chiron Super Sport a broad, level rear diffuser and vertical exhaust tips
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Bugatti gives the Chiron Super Sport a broad, level rear diffuser and vertical exhaust tips
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport close-up
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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport close-up
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport close-up
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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport close-up
Bugatti pulls an extra 99 hp out of its quad-turbo W-16 for a total of 1,578 hp
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Bugatti pulls an extra 99 hp out of its quad-turbo W-16 for a total of 1,578 hp
The Chiron Super Sport interior blends leather, polished aluminum and carbon fiber
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The Chiron Super Sport interior blends leather, polished aluminum and carbon fiber
Four Bugatti Super Sport generations, left to right: The Chiron Super Sport, Veyron Super Sport (2010s), EB 110 Super Sport (1990s) and Type 55 Super Sport (1930s)
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Four Bugatti Super Sport generations, left to right: The Chiron Super Sport, Veyron Super Sport (2010s), EB 110 Super Sport (1990s) and Type 55 Super Sport (1930s)
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With a pedigree that dates back over 80 years, "Super Sport" has come to mean "world-record speed" at Bugatti, and the Chiron Super Sport remains true to its heritage. The newest member of the Chiron family has been painstakingly optimized from contact patch to rooftop for world-beating grades of acceleration and speed. A long tail, uprated W-16 engine, 500-km/h tires and reworked aero make the new Super Sport as furiously fast as its predecessors. Oh, and Bugatti promises it's comfortable, too.

The Chiron Super Sport gains a long tail for added aerodynamic performance
The Chiron Super Sport gains a long tail for added aerodynamic performance

Bugatti starts its work by stretching the Chiron rear-end by roughly 10 in (25 cm) into a long tail meant to better hold laminar flow against the bodywork. Bugatti slaps a broad, flat rear diffuser in the lower center of that stretched backside, reducing wind resistance and slipstream.

"If we can generate downforce with the diffuser, there is no need for us to generate it with the drag inducing wings," explains Bugatti's deputy design director Frank Heyl. "This means we can retract the wing as far as possible in Top Speed mode for a drive with minimal drag."

Bugatti gives the Chiron Super Sport a broad, level rear diffuser and vertical exhaust tips
Bugatti gives the Chiron Super Sport a broad, level rear diffuser and vertical exhaust tips

Making room for the big diffuser, the centralized exhaust tips move out to the sides in a vertical 2+2 arrangement with oval housings. This very clearly delineates the "Super Sport" rear view from that of other Chirons.

Up front, Bugatti adds new aerodynamic definition below the sharp headlamps, channeling air through to the wheel arches with air curtains. Above those arches, it pokes nine holes into each front fender to release air pressure from the wheel wells surrounding the exclusive Y-spoke aluminum wheels. The holes are also a nod to the EB 110 Super Sport and are assisted by outlets behind the wheel arches.

Bugatti promises an unparalleled mix of speed and luxury
Bugatti promises an unparalleled mix of speed and luxury

Bugatti promises that the new aerodynamics lend way to the perfect balance of downforce and minimized drag at speeds over 261 mph (420 km/h). Sadly, although that balance seems capable of pushing the Super Sport to a new world speed record, Bugatti electronically limits the car's speed to 273 mph (440 km/h), consistent with its plan to end its pursuit of world speed records after breaking the 300-mph barrier.

"This was the last time for us. We will no longer take part in this [speed record] race," Bugatti chief Stephan Winkelmann said in October 2019, a few weeks after Bugatti topped 304 mph (489 km/h). "We have shown numerous times that we build the fastest cars in the world. In future we will focus on other exciting projects."

The new Chiron Super Sport is modeled after the pre-production car that hit that speed, but it doesn't appear it will be pursuing a production car record. That's a shame because the 273-mph limited top speed falls less than 10 mph (16 km/h) short of SSC's 282.9-mph (455.3-km/h) record from earlier this year. If SSC's 316-mph mark had stood the test of time and internet scrutinization, we wouldn't think twice about it, but as is, not pushing for a 300+ mph two-way run to score an official production car world record seems like a waste of the Chiron Super Sport's high-speed talents, especially since it rides on reinforced Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's, the first tires up to the task of 500-km/h (311-mph) speeds.

The vertical quad exhaust is one of the most visually defining features separating Chiron Super Sport from Chiron
The vertical quad exhaust is one of the most visually defining features separating Chiron Super Sport from Chiron

Perhaps Bugatti will get the speed itch again in the future, and it'll have just the right tool to reach for. And the speed limiter shouldn't be enough to call the Super Sport's "production car" status into question.

Whether or not it ever becomes the official fastest car in the world, the Chiron Super Sport definitely bests the plenty-fast 261-mph Chiron, adding the additional 12 mph (19 km/h) with help from its reworked 1,577-hp quad-turbo 8.0-liter W-16. Bugatti engineers modified the turbochargers, oil pump, cylinder head, clutch and transmission to add the extra 98 hp over the standard Chiron engine, pushing redline up 300 rpms to 7,100 rpm for "even greater longitudinal acceleration and an even more emotive driving experience."

Bugatti pulls an extra 99 hp out of its quad-turbo W-16 for a total of 1,578 hp
Bugatti pulls an extra 99 hp out of its quad-turbo W-16 for a total of 1,578 hp

The powertrain upgrades may not get the Chiron Super Sport up to its full top-speed potential, but they do offer immediate acceleration improvements. The Super Sport boasts 5.8-second 0-124 mph (200 km/h) and 12.1-second 0-186 (300 km/h) estimates, quicker than the respective 6.1- and 13.1-second times of the standard Chiron.

Giving drivers the ability to better handle all the Super Sport's power and quickness, Bugatti also overhauls the chassis and running gear. Harder springs boost high-speed stability; tighter steering empowers better control and feel; and retuned electronic chassis control better actively tunes the ride. Drivers can dial things in via four modes: EB, Handling, Autobahn and Top Speed.

The Chiron Super Sport interior blends leather, polished aluminum and carbon fiber
The Chiron Super Sport interior blends leather, polished aluminum and carbon fiber

"We tweaked all possible parameters when developing the chassis in order to achieve the best possible setup for immense acceleration as well as the unique Bugatti luxury and comfort experience,” explains Jachin Schwalbe, Bugatti's head of chassis development. “In comparison to the Chiron Pur Sport, which, as a free-revving vehicle with transverse dynamics, offers a great deal of downforce up to 350 km/h (218 mph), the Chiron Super Sport remains very neutral and quiet even above this in the uppermost speed ranges."

Bugatti will soon begin production on the €3.2 million (approx. US$3.9 million) Chiron Super Sport, rolling the first cars out to customers in early 2022.

Source: Bugatti

View gallery - 16 images
5 comments
5 comments
aksdad
How long does a 1,577-hp quad-turbo 8.0-liter engine last? Formula 1 racing motors that produce twice the power per liter are rebuilt several times a year and top fuel dragster motors that generate 6 times the power per liter are rebuilt after every 1,000 foot run. Of course those engines are running almost constantly at top output while the Bugatti will rarely be pushed to those limits. Just curious.
BlueOak
“ Sadly, although that balance seems capable of pushing the Super Sport to a new world speed record, Bugatti electronically limits the car's speed to 273 mph (440 km/h), consistent with its plan to end its pursuit of world speed records after breaking the 300-mph barrier.”

Oh please. What practical impact does speed limiting it to 273 MPH have? How many locations on earth can even support that kind of speed? And are any of them public roads?

I’d be more curious to learn - since unlike VW sister Lamborghini, which has indicated it will transition via hybrid to full electric by 2030 - does Bugatti plan to maintain ICE as an exclusive thing for the wealthy into the future?
michael_dowling
BlueOak : Fortunately,the one percent who are the only ones who can afford these things are relatively rare,so even if they race around daily in these monstrosities, their contribution to climate change would be negligible.
WB
Actually, anyone can afford that kind of performance. Tesla Model S Plaid, is faster 0 to 60 and quarter mile and costs about 130k - and does not hurt climate!
Grunchy
Finally, room for a trailer hitch.