VIDEO: CHRIS HARRIS DRIVES THE BUGATTI CHIRON
In the world of automotive engineering, the Bugatti Chiron is the equivalent of the infamous 'one percenters'.
The devil's in the detail, and the details are astounding. This car has a massively updated version of the 8-litre W16 Quad-turbocharged from the Veyron. Pumping out 1 103kW (1 500 PS) of power and 1 600 Nm (1 479 bhp) of torque, the Chiron hit's 100km/h in 2,5 seconds, 200 km/h in 6,5 seconds and 300 km/h in 13,6 seconds, eventually topping out somewhere in the vicinity of 463 km/h (288 mph), although it is limited to 420 km/h for safety reasons.
All this power is delivered to the Haldex AWD system via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission with all four wheels sprung independently to keep the beast's specially-developed Michelins neatly planted to the tarmac.
The all-new titanium exhaust system uses tech developed for and now banned in, Formula 1. Basically, it has six exit pipes, four of them protrude from the rear as you would expect, but two of them point downwards – this causes a reduction in back-pressure, effectively creating a blown diffuser. Smart!
All of this speed needs to be suppressed at some point, and the massive carbon silicon carbide brakes have 8-piston callipers at the front and six-piston callipers up front for stopping domination.
As one would expect, there's carbon fibre everywhere. From the monocoque chassis to the rear sub-frame, the entire body and a fair smattering in the interior too. And talking of the body, as with the Veyron, form follows function with every stylistic curve shaped to make the car better.
That famous 'Bugatti Line' framing the rear of the doors swallows 60 000 litres of air per minute to keep the engine cool, and the quad-LED headlights function as intakes to cool the brakes.
It's a sight to behold, both inside and out. The interior is sublime, with the centre-console designed to echo that 'Bugatti line' mentioned earlier, giving the whole cabin a feeling of exclusivity. It's a luxurious place to be, with all the expected amenities including a chilled glove-box and even space behind the seats for small bags and hangers for your suit jacket.
But all this means nothing if it doesn't evoke a rush of blood through your veins. Unlike the Veyron which didn't really like corners, preferring straight lines to deliver its brute force, the Chiron greedily consumes all kinds of road, like a hungry kid with a cupcake.
So, with all that said, I hand over to the always endearing Chris Harris from TopGear to tell you more about it.
Watch the video and let us know what you think!