Although the video is short and blurry, it shows that the Chiron is slightly wider than the Veyron it is being designed to succeed. The Veyron’s huge adjustable wing has been retained, but its four round tail lamps have been replaced by a set of two rectangular LED units mounted further apart to give the coupe a more low-slung appearance. It is too early to tell whether or not the split rear window will make the jump to production.
For the most part, Bugatti has been keeping quiet about the Chiron. However, sources close to the company recently revealed that engineers strongly considered developing a new 14-cylinder engine for the car, but they ultimately decided to use an evolution of the 8.0-liter W16 engine that powered the Veyron.
The mill will use direct fuel-injection and at least two electric turbochargers to develop over 1,500 horsepower and 1,106 foot-pounds of torque. The Chiron will rocket from zero to 62 mph in two seconds flat — a statistic that will make it the fastest street-legal car in the world by a long shot — and on to a top speed of 288 mph.
British magazine CAR reports Bugatti is putting a big emphasis on user-friendliness. Notably, the coupe will return at least 14 mpg in a mixed European cycle thanks in part to a cylinder de-activation system that will turn the 16-cylinder into a more frugal W8 when the engine’s monumental power is not needed.
Rumors claim Bugatti will introduce the Chiron in 2016 at the earliest, but it will preview the car with a close-to-production concept at a major auto show this year. If that’s the case, Bugatti’s next concept could take a bow as soon as next fall’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
