FYI: Bugatti reignites the hypercar speed race with its revolutionary Tourbillon—now boasting nearly 200 more horsepower than the Chiron Super Sport 300+.
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Twenty years ago, Bugatti shook the automotive world when it released the Veyron, cementing its place in history by breaking the long-held production land speed record with a top speed of 253 mph. The Chiron initially followed in its legendary predecessor’s footsteps, but Bugatti had opted to prioritize other performance metrics over outright speed under the tenure of former chief, Stephan Winkelmann.
### Bugatti’s Return to the Speed Race
In 2019, Bugatti showcased its engineering prowess by taking the Chiron Super Sport 300+ to a top speed of 304.7 mph, breaking the 300 mph barrier for the first time with a production car. Though the hypercar world considered this an extraordinary feat, the Chiron’s record wasn’t recognized as the World Land Speed Record by Guinness due to technicalities in verification.
### New Management, New Goals
With Bugatti coming under new management and Mate Rimac at the helm, the brand has re-embraced its speed-seeking roots. When queried at Monterey Car Week in August about whether Bugatti would set aside top speed pursuits, Rimac resolutely stated, “It’s over. It’s not over yet.” Rimac’s enthusiasm for pushing boundaries aligns with Bugatti customers’ expectations for unparalleled performance and luxury.
Bugatti’s Chief Technical Officer, Emilio Scherbo, further elaborated, “We’re going to be looking to push the envelope even further, but keep it very Bugatti-like in a way, very comfortable. It’s not a terrifyingly fast drive, but the way it’s delivered is more emotional and more refined.”
### The Tourbillon: A New Chapter
In June, Bugatti unveiled its newest marvel, the Tourbillon, set to succeed the Chiron in 2026. This hypercar features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a monstrous naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 engine with three electric motors, delivering a mind-boggling 1,775 horsepower.
Although the Tourbillon’s top speed is officially capped at 276 mph, it’s speculated that its true potential could surpass 300 mph, especially when considering the Chiron Super Sport 300+’s record-setting performance.
### The Competition Heats Up
Despite Bugatti’s recent milestones, the hypercar speed record remains fiercely contested. The SSC Tuatara currently holds the respected title, achieving a certified speed of 282.9 mph in 2021. However, Bugatti’s aspirations face another formidable adversary: Koenigsegg’s Jesko Absolut, which the Swedish brand claims could surpass the 300 mph mark as well.
### Conclusion
Under the visionary leadership of Mate Rimac and with the introduction of the Tourbillon, Bugatti is once again at the vanguard of the hypercar speed race. Emphasizing both luxury and blistering speed, this iconic brand is poised to push boundaries and set new records, continuing its journey of automotive excellence.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
