There is a new definition of insanity, courtesy of Bugatti. Named ‘Chiron’, Chris Harris recently got the opportunity to shake the cylinders of this beast in Oman, following a Top Gear TV filming.
Seemingly the Chiron inherits a lot from the old Veyron. Apart from the looks, the main carryover is the quad-turbo, 8-liter W16 engine. The Chiron is also slightly heavier, with an extra 100lb over the old car.
Bugatti has strengthened the engine block and boosted the sequential turbochargers. The Chiron boasts a stunning 50% increase in power – at a colossal 1,479hp. In combination with redesigned 7-speed dual clutch gearbox, it’s little wonder the Chiron achieves the acceleration figures it does.
From this you might think that the Chiron tells the same story as the Veyron: fat car, loads of power, prodigious speed. But don’t mistake one for another on this superficial basis. Harris is full of praise for the car, particularly in the bends.
The car sits on a longer, stiffer wheelbase than before, improving stability. A new electronic steering system, with seven overlapping algorithms, helps with precise placement. Bugatti has tweaked the four-wheel drive system too, and fits new Michelin Cup 2 tires.
On Harris opines that, on the Jebel Akhdar mountain pass, there’s nothing that could stay with the Chiron. That’s probably why Matt Le Blanc had to use a private jet to beat him.
For complete overview on what makes the Chiron so different from its predecessor, watch Harris’s review below:
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