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THE STUNNING 1,117 KW BUGATTI BOLIDE SPOTTED WET-WEATHER TESTING.

Published: 2024-02-27 08:14:30 Last Updated: 2024-02-27 09:58:30

The Bugatti Bolide is a purpose-built track-focused hypercar that takes everything amazing from the likes of the Chiron and combines it with a lightweight and aerodynamic body. Powering the hypercar for the track is an 8.0 litre, quad-turbocharged W16 that generates 1,177 kW with 1,600 Nm of torque. The whole package is a lightweight setup of just 1,450 kg and can generate nearly 3 tons of downforce at the higher end of the speed range. To say it’s fast is an understatement. Fast cars need to stop, and that’s where the collaboration between Bugatti and Brembo comes in. The Bolide wears the biggest carbon-carbon brake system ever produced by Brembo, the new system is designed to deliver an incomparable drive. The Bugatti Bolide was always going to be an extreme application that demanded the best possible braking system, and with Brembo brakes as standard equipment in the majority of the world’s OEM sportscars and supercars, not to mention Formula One cars, it was the obvious choice for fitment to the Bolide. brake system from a name synonymous with peak performance. Early in the design process, Bugatti tasked Italian manufacturer Brembo with crafting a system that stands as a testament to the car’s uncompromising nature and so from initial data to dyno testing to on-track analysis, Brembo racing engineers worked closely with Bugatti’s technical team to create a bespoke brake system with a unique that offers the highest possible level of performance. The result of two years of intense testing and development is a carbon-carbon system on par with the tech seen in LMh/LMDh and Formula One machinery. The stopping power generated by the Brembos on the Bolide is next-level - the front brakes are the largest carbon-carbon brakes ever and they incorporate dual 8-piston monobloc calipers that are each fitted with four high-performance 25 mm pads that clamp down on large 390mm x 37.5 mm carbon discs. The calipers are machined from aluminium alloy to keep weight down and are nickel-coated for extra protection. For the rear of the hypercar, there are also decently-sized brakes in the form of dual six-piston monobloc calipers that mirror the front setup making use of four high-performance pads, but they’re a little thinner at 24.5 mm and they clamp down on large 390 mm x34 mm carbon discs. 390 mm discs at the rear of a car is amazing, they even match those used in the LMDh race class.

The on-track evaluation examined potential misuse scenarios where traction control intervenes more frequently, and this required an in-depth evaluation of Bolide’s ‘Wet’ mode which was designed to prepare the track-only hypercar for the use of wet tyres in the most challenging of driving conditions. This drive mode makes ultra-fine adjustments to the control system, enhancing adaptability on slick surfaces by inducing understeer, and activates a distinctive rain light reminiscent of the dynamic red lights seen in Formula 1. "Developing the brake system for the Bugatti Bolide was a unique and very exciting challenge for the Performance Division of Brembo – and we are proud of what we achieved” said Mario Almondo, Chief Operating Officer of Brembo Performance. “We had to re-engineer the entire system to cope with the incredible yet demanding characteristics and power of the car. The front caliper, for example, is a real masterpiece of engineering in my view, being the largest we have ever fitted to a racing car. Using carbon compounds similar to those in Formula 1 meant that, despite the size and power of the Bolide, we were able to produce the lightest possible design.” This feedback not only allowed the project team to fine-tune the braking performance but also to guarantee that the Bolide remains unrivalled in every possible aspect including adverse weather conditions without jeopardizing safety. “I am immensely proud of the work that has gone into the development of the Bolide, a track-only hypersports car that encapsulates Bugatti’s racing heritage. In collaborating with Brembo, we’ve engineered a brake system that not only meets but surpasses the extraordinary demands of the Bolide. Our partnership has yielded a masterpiece – their innovative technology aligns seamlessly with our vision, ensuring the Bolide’s brake system is a key part of another pinnacle in Bugatti’s storied legacy." Says Emilio Scervo - CTO, Bugatti Rimac.

Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the ridiculously cool and powerful Bolide hypercar during its latest wet weather testing where it also put the latest Brembo brakes through their paces to make sure they're up to the task of reigning in the powerful quad-turbocharged W16 powerplant: BUGATTI BOLIDE: Water Testing at Imola Circuit | Bugatti

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Article Tags: Hypercar Bugatti Bolide Bugatti Bolide SXdrv Brembo Brakes Testing Wet weather Cars