Two years after the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport made its debut with the “record-breaking” high-speed run, the “fastest Bugatti ever made” has now finally entered production, with the first eight units having just rolled off the factory floor in Molsheim, France.
The superfast “longtail” model is limited to just 30 units, each reportedly priced upwards of RM16 million – not that it matters much, though, as you’ll have to already be on Bugatti’s speed dial to even be considered for purchase anyway.
What makes the Super Sport stands out from the other Bugatti Chiron model is its single-minded focus on top speed. Don’t just take it from us; here’s what Bugatti themselves said: “From the front splitter to the rear diffuser, every centimetre of its skin is designed for top speed.”
First of all, the iconic Bugatti W16 engine has been tweaked to squeeze out more oomph, with the 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged mill now making 1,600 hp and 1,600 Nm of torque – a 100 hp bump over the regular Chiron.
Power is translated into the tarmac via all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and with the extra grunt, the Chiron Super Sport reaches 200 km/h from a standstill in just 5.8 seconds.
Of course, as we’ve alluded to before, acceleration isn’t the main attraction here. For the Super Sport, Bugatti only cares about its top speed, and the magic number they’ve managed to achieve is a massive 440 km/h.
Several design modifications had to be made in order to hit the VMax speed, including a new rear section that stretches (lengthwise) an additional 250 mm over the regular Chiron, supposedly helping to reduce drag by up to 40%.
Can the Bugatti Chiron beat a 2011 F1 car? Watch the full drag race here!
There are even holes at the top of the front fenders to release the air pressure generated from the spinning wheels, thereby generating streamlined downforce at the front, and at the rear there’s also now a bigger diffuser for improved aerodynamics.
Heck, even the wheels and bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres are specially designed and x-rayed to ensure they’ll stay as a single piece when it’s spinning at those super speeds – The company says that they’re the first wheel combo rated to safely and consistency drive up to 500 km/h.
The first eight cars to roll out of the Molsheim factory floor are all dressed in a black exterior paint job, contrasted by bright orange stripes running along the entire length of the car from the bonnet to the wings – taking on the looks of the original record-breaking Super Sport.
