THE BUGATTI'S LEGENDARY QUAD-TURBOCHARGED W16 ENGINE WILL NEVER BE REPEATED
Back in 2005, Bugatti released one of the world’s most recognisable supercars, the Veyron EB 16.4. Its then-radical styling coupled with a massive 8.0-litre sixteen cylinder powerplant fed by four turbochargers was absolutely mind-blowing and it afforded the car unbelievable power and performance. Churning out a whopping 736 kW (987 hp) with a massive 1250 Nm of torque running through a 7-speed transmission and all-wheel drive drivetrain, this first Veryon could hit 100 km/h in 2.5-seconds, run the quarter in 9.8-seconds and then run on to a top speed of 407 km/h (253 mph). This performance was so good that the term ‘Hypercar’ started being used to describe the car.
Since the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 saw the light of day, it was near-impossible to beaten and the subsequent evolution of the car and its engine setup has seen an unbelievable performance increase, and as a result, the cars fitted with the W16 engine have a string of records linked to them. Bugatti’s 8.0-litre W16 engine has since reigned over the world of the internal combustion engine for almost two decades. The massive W18 saw duty in not only the Veyron EB 16.4, but also the Chiron, the Divo, the Centodieci and the amazing Bollide. Not forgetting the 16C Galibier and the Vision Gran Turismo, both concept cars.
The Bugatti W16 engine saw the Veryon EB 16.4 set a production car top speed record of 408 km/h (253.519 mph) in 2005. Then in 2010 that was eclipsed by the Veyron Super Sport when it claimed the record at 431 km/h (267.8 mph). In 2013 the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse became the world’s fastest roadster when it posted a top speed of 408 km/h (253.519 mph). In 2017 a Bugatti Chiron set the fastest time for a 0-400-0 km/h (0-249-0 mph) run that was achieved in a ridiculously fast 41.96 seconds with a Chiron. In 2019 the Chiron Super Sport+ set two records at once; the first series production car to crack the 300 mph barrier and also the world’s fastest series production with a verified top speed of 490.484 km/h (304.7 mph). This set in motion a new charge of challengers from other manufacturers who also want to pass that 300 mph barrier, but so far 295 mph from the SSC Tuatara is the closest.
Take a look at the YouTube video that celebrates one of the marvels of the motoring world, the insanely complicated, ridiculously powerful sixteen cylinder Bugatti W16 engine. Something we're never going to see again: The BUGATTI W16 Engine - The Last of Its Kind | Bugatti
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!