Every Bugatti Chiron owes their existence to development vehicles that exist long before them, but none more so than the long and hard life of Prototype 4-005.

One of eight development vehicles produced by Bugatti, this prototype was built in 2013 and served as the test bed for all of the Chiron’s software. This included specific tests of 30 vehicle control units, where engineers monitor the conditions and quality of each modification.

Known internally as the ‘Four Five’, where ‘four’ stands for prototype and ‘five’ for the fifth Chiron prototype, the tester was also used to develop specific components, such as the new navigation system, conference calling, HMI interface and others. In all, 13 engineers, computer scientists and physicists worked with the car over eight long years.

Rudiger Warda, who has been developing Bugatti cars for nearly two decades said: “In the case of the 4-005, we performed all the tests and were on the road for many weeks and this brings you together. The prototype shaped our work and with the prototype, we shaped the Chiron.”

“Developing a combination of a purely driving machine and comfortable, intuitive operation was challenging. With Bugatti, driving is part of the experience – the menu navigation should only support it,” he continued.

Like most early prototypes, the ‘Four Five’ was covered in camouflage when it was flown all over the world for testing, including heat tests in South Africa, snow drifts in Scandinavia and fast laps of the Nardo. It was also subjected to the afterburner of a Eurofighter Typhoon.

“In spite of it being an immense feat, we drove for up to ten hours at a time – and got out of the car feeling fit in the evenings,” said Norbert Uffmann, who was responsible for Bugatti’s telemetry and connectivity.

As you can see from the interior shots, the car has been well used with scruff marks on the sills, and scratches and stains on the leather dashboard. Now with more than 74,000km (45,981 miles) on the clock and a job well done, prototype 4-005 is finally being retired.

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Ever wondered how Bugatti filmed the Chiron’s record-breaking 400km/h (250 mph) sprint back in 2017? Wonder no more. And if your guess is another Chiron, Congratulations!

In fact, the chase car that was just a few feet in front of the Chiron while it accelerated down the straight at Ehra-Lessien was driven by Juan Pablo Montoya.

Now, the man who helped produce the epic run has revealed just how it was done.

According to Al Clark, who is a specialist automotive film director and film maker, camera crews first rigged a small drone camera to the back of the lead Bugatti Chiron which was painted in white. Montoya was then tasked with launching the car off the line at exactly the same pace as the black Chiron being filmed.

The final footage was so smooth that editors had to introduce some camera shake to make it more realistic. However, it’s not perfect though as you’ll notice the black Chiron isn’t perfectly in focus because the camera was filming through the exhaust gases of the lead Chiron as it built up speed.

Click play in the video below to see more behind the scenes.

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It’s hard to believe the Bugatti Chiron has been around for five years, with over 400 cars produced since 2016.

With production limited to just 500 cars, not including any Chiron derivatives such as the Divo or Centodieci, the supercar maker believes it will reach that target by the end of 2021.

However, that doesn’t mean Bugatti will be resting on their laurels, as company CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed they have a few surprises installed for us: “All I can say is this: we’ll be presenting a few interesting surprises in 2020. We have several ideas and are continuing to work on the future of our traditional marque,” he said.

“We will present further high-performance vehicles in 2020, because Bugatti remains true to its philosophy of developing the best cars in the world,” he continued.

Bugatti has been toying with the idea of adding a second product to their portfolio for many years, believed to be a four-door GT or an SUV, though it still needs the Volkswagen Group’s blessing. Electrification will likely be required, though platform sharing is unlikely.

Judging by other marques, Bugatti would likely go down the SUV path even though the move will be a controversial one given its existing clientele.

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The mighty Bugatti Chiron has broken the 482km/h barrier, clocking a TUV verified top speed of 490.484km/h on August 2 on the Ehra-Lessien with Andy Wallace behind the wheel.

The company has been working on the secretive Chiron prototype with Michelin and Dallara over the past six months to break the 482km/h barrier, and with the accomplishment, Bugatti has now beaten the Koenigsegg Agera RS’ 458km/h (447km/h two-way average) record set in 2017.

Bugatti’s President, Stephan Winklemann told Top Gear that this will be the last record the supercar maker will be chasing as it steps back from the race to produce the world’s fastest production car: “We have shown several times that we build the fastest cars in the world. In the future, we will focus on other areas.”

As you can see from the photos, the record-breaking Chiron prototype is not only 25cm longer than the production model due to a longer tail section but also loses its rear wing and airbrake to reduce drag. There is also a bigger and deeper rear diffuser for better stability, along with new quad exhaust pipes.

At the front, the prototype gets a larger splitter and a set of air outlets over the wheels to improve aerodynamics further.

“The biggest challenge is to get the overall package right, not only design, not only aerodynamics, not only engine, not only tyres. It’s to get everything together and working in one car,” said Frank Heyl, Bugatti’s Head of Exterior Design.

The standard Chiron’s quad-turbo 8.0-litre W16 engine was also uprated to produce 1,177kW, up from 1,103kW, while its transmission and all-wheel drive system remain unchanged.

Bugatti says the record-breaking Chiron is a “near production prototype”, meaning it could morph into the rumoured Super Sport. Watch this space!

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Bugatti has unveiled yet another ultra exclusive hyper car at Pebble Beach. But this time around it’s not just another limited production model, the new Bugatti Centodieci – Italian for 110 – is built to celebrate the French company’s 110 years since its founding. And to do that the designers are bringing back a classic design – the iconic Bugatti EB110 from the 90s, which was built for its Italian founder Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday in 1991.

The Centodieci is essentially a rebodied Chiron that pays homage to the EB110. Limited to just 10 examples, the Centodieci will change hands for a cool €8 million a pop.

“With the Centodieci we pay homage to the EB110 super sports car which was built in the 1990s and is very much a part of our tradition-steeped history,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “With the EB110, Bugatti catapulted itself to the top of the automotive world once again after 1956 with a new model.”

“We are proud of our long Bugatti history, of which the EB110 is very much a part. That’s why we’re celebrating a reinterpretation of this extraordinary vehicle with the Centodieci – Italian for 110,” says Stephan Winkelmann.

The EB110 was built in Campogalliano, Italy, but from the very outset it never denied its French influences. Former owner Romano Artioli opened the factory on Ettore Bugatti’s 109th birthday – 15 September 1990. Artioli made a deliberate choice in opting for Campogalliano, a small town in Emilia Romagna. The location had a key advantage in the 1990s: it was in the catchment area of several Italian sports car brands, so Artioli was easily able to recruit experienced employees for his project. Artioli presented the super sports car EB 110 to the public on Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday – hence the type designation: EB for Ettore Bugatti, 110 for his 110th birthday.

Instead of the V12 found in the EB110, the Centodieci features the iconic 8.0-litre W16 engine with 1,176 kW/1,600 hp at 7,000 rpm. The Centodieci sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, to 200 km/h in 6.1 seconds and to 300 km/h in 13.1 seconds; the top speed is electronically cut off at 380 km/h.

“It’s not just the top speed that makes a hyper sports car, however. With the Centodieci, we once again demonstrate that design, quality and performance are just as important,” says Stephan Winkelmann.

Compared to the Chiron, the Centodieci saves 20 kilograms of unladen weight, while the Chiron Sport saves 2 kilograms. Among other things, a lightweight windscreen wiper and stabilisers made of carbon are used, as well as filigree exterior mirrors. This enables a sensational power-to-weight ratio of just 1.13 kilograms per horsepower. With a downforce of over 90 kilograms, the Centodieci offers a level of lateral acceleration similar to that of the Divo.

Naturally, customers can have their Centodieci painted in the Bugatti colour of their choice. The hyper car will be handcrafted in Molsheim, France. After its short period in Italy, Bugatti has now been back at its old headquarters in Molsheim, France, for almost 20 years. This is where Ettore Bugatti produced the very first vehicles that bore his name at the end of 1909.

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Bugatti is said to be seriously considering building a crossover, which could reportedly feature an all-electric powertrain.

It’s no secret the maker of the mighty Chiron is keen to expand its product range, having previously considered a luxury sedan. However, with lackluster sedan sales globally, Bugatti is now focusing on a crossover.

According to a report earlier this year, Bugatti was considering building its luxury crossover around the Lamborghini Urus and sharing its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.

However, this has now changed, with the Volkswagen Group owned French manufacturer reportedly favouring an all-electric powertrain instead.

Additionally, Bugatti has apparently tapped VW Group sister brand Porsche, which owns 10 per cent of Croatian electric car maker, Rimac to potentially use its 1,380kW powertrain currently found in the C_Two and Pininfarina Battista.

If that fails, there’s a chance the mighty Bugatti crossover could be based around a new hypercar architecture said to be in the works for the Porsche 918 Spyder successor and a future Lamborghini.

Rendering by Sajdin Osmancevic

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It’s hard to fathom someone would drop $3.4M big ones on a new Bugatti Chiron and take it straight to a tuner for a makeover but Mansory seems to think there are such people, as it has introduced the first ever tuned Chiron called the Centuria.

As you can see from the photos, the body kit comes with a raft of not so subtle add ons starting with a new front apron with a unique carbon fibre design. Further up on the front fascia, the wider air intakes ditch the chrome trim for carbon frames that house aerodynamic voids.

Even the bonnet is brand new and comes with a prominent dual central crease and an air intake below the windscreen, while the side skirts are also new.

You may notice there are now air vents that are incorporated atop the front wheel arches, while the side air intake is larger thanks to the removal of the ‘C’ line trim.

Elsewhere, another air intake has been fitted to the roof and a larger rear spoiler takes pride of place at the back, along with new engine covers. The Chiron’s rear bumper has also been completely reworked with a technical rear diffuser and a new tailpipe.

Rounding off the exterior makeover is a set of Mansory’s own turbine-style wheels with a carbon fibre finish. They fit the stock Chiron tyres measuring 285/35 R 20 at the front and 355/30 R 21 at the rear.

Mansory says the entire body kit was crafted and design in-house from carbon fibre.

Inside, the cabin is decked out in navy blue suede complimented by sky blue accents, while the dials and switches appear to have a new blue finish.

Mansory hasn’t revealed the cost of its Centuria kit but it’s safe to assume if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

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Bugatti is rumoured to be bringing back the Royale nameplate from the 1920s for a new electric sedan planned to launch in 2023 which will be based on the upcoming Porsche Taycan. 

According to a report by CAR magazine, the new model will form an integral part of the French marque’s plans – led by owner Volkswagen and president Stephan Winkelman – to expand the brand’s portfolio and appeal.

In the short-term future, the plan is to continue developing models based on the Chiron platform – such as the Divo or one-off La Voiture Noire – but moving forward, Winkelman has noted that “maximum speed [will] not play the the leading role any more” in Bugatti’s future.

“From now on, we are going to put more emphasis on ultimate overall vehicle dynamics, light weight, and modern sustainable luxury,” he added.

And this potential resurrection of the Royale name will likely be the first step in changing the brand’s direction significantly. Set to be based upon a lengthened version of the J1 architecture that will underpin this year’s zero-emissions Porsche Taycan, the new Royale will likely be made predominantly from lightweight carbon-fibre to help alleviate some of the weight typically associated with EVs.

A forward-thinking approach is supposedly being taken towards its underpinnings, too, as unlike the Taycan and practically all other electrified vehicles, Bugatti is wanting to use solid state batteries rather than lithium-ion units, as they are more compact, have a higher energy density, and have better heat resistance. However, no battery manufacturer has been able to mass produce a solid state battery suitable for an automotive application yet.

It’s believed that the Royale will utilise three electric motors – one for the front axle, two for the rear – to deliver around 650kW, which is roughly 210kW more than the Taycan is expected to muster up. It’s also expected to offer Level 4 fully autonomous driving with HD mapping.

Price? Expect it to cost around $1.1 million Australian (€700,000) according to CAR, and knowing Bugatti, there’ll no doubt be an extensive list of bespoke options to add to that cost.

Stylistically, it’s believed that the new Royale will not only draw inspiration from the current Bugatti design language, but also from the original Royale – a big, luxurious limousine that debuted all the way back in 1926.

The axed 16C Galibier concept from 2009 pictured throughout this article – which was originally intended to fill the role of being a more luxurious, four-door offering from the brand – may also point towards the look of the potential new Royale.

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The purveyors of speed at Bugatti have created a one-off Chiron-based car for a customer that has become the most expensive new car to ever be sold.

Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the creation dubbed “La Voiture Noire” – which translates literally as “the black car” – was built to celebrate the 110^th anniversary of the Bugatti brand.

The body of La Voiture Noire is made entirely from carbon-fibre and shows plenty of styling highlights from other models in Bugatti’s history, such as the distinct C-shaped character line first seen on the Veyron, or its six tailpipes as seen on the Type 57.

Like all Bugatti’s of the 21st century, it’s propelled by a mid-mounted behemoth 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16, with it delivering an astonishing 1103kW and 1600Nm – that’s 1479hp and 1180 lb-ft in old money – which are outputs identical to what this engine makes in the Chiron and the track-focused Divo.

As in the Chiron, that power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels.

As mentioned, just one example of La Voiture Noire was created, with it asking for a staggering €11 million before taxes, which is equivalent to around A$17 million. However, with a hefty adding of taxes on top of that asking price, it actually cost its lucky owner €16.7 million – that’s an astonishing $26.75 million Australian.

Rumour has it that the buyer of the ultra-exclusive machine, who has chosen to remain unnamed, is former Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand Piech – the man who helped the VW Group acquire Bugatti and helped see the legendary Veyron, the fastest car in the world in its day, transform from dream into reality.

Regardless of who bought it, however, it easily takes the title of the most expensive new car ever sold from the similarly one-off Rolls Royce Sweptail, which is understood to have been purchased for somewhere in the region of A$17 million back in 2017.

The Bugatti La Voiture Noire will be on display at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show which is open until March 17.

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It’s amazing what you can build with Lego bricks if you have the skill and time and that’s exactly what Lego has done. With an unlimited supply of bricks and a few talented master builders, Lego Technic has built a life-size, drivable version of the Bugatti Chiron.

Made using over 1 million Lego Technic pieces, the replica’s body features interconnected triangular segments for its outer ‘skin’ structure that perfectly recreate the organic lines of the world’s fastest production car.

Seen from a distance side by side, the resemblance of the two cars is striking.

Inside, the creative team at Lego faithfully reconstructs every detail of the original car using Lego Technic elements, from the seats to the dashboard and the steering wheel.

The car is even equipped with a rear spoiler, speedometer, front and backlights, detachable steering wheel and brake pedal. To complete the super realistic look, the Lego Chiron comes with genuine Chiron wheels and emblem.

According to the company, its Chiron took over 13,000 work hours and 339 types of Lego Technic elements to construct.

Impressively, the Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron moves under its own power, too. While it can’t achieve the real Chiron’s 420km/h top speed, the Lego car comes with 2,304 motors, 4,032 gear wheels and 2,016 cross axles, enough to generate 5.3 horsepower (4.0kW) and an estimated 92Nm of torque. That’s enough to propel the 1,500kg Lego Chiron up to a little over 20km/h.

Like the real Chiron, the Lego model is true engineering feat. It’s the first fully functional, self-propelled life-size Lego Technic car. It’s also the first non-glued Lego Technic model of such complexity.

Andy Wallace – the driver behind the LEGO Technic Chiron – former racing driver with multiple wins of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona, as well as many other races, and today official Bugatti pilot, said:

“When I first saw the LEGO Chiron, I was immediately impressed by the accuracy of the model and the minute attention to detail. In fact, from about 20 metres away it’s not obvious that you are looking at a LEGO car. I can only imagine how much time and effort went into making this model.”

“Driving the LEGO Chiron was a great experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed. All those years ago I could never have imagined that one day I would actually drive a LEGO car!” 

Facts and numbers:

• Over 1,000,000 LEGO elements in total
• 339 types of LEGO TECHNIC elements used
• No glue used in the assembly
• Total weight: 1500 kg
• 2,304 LEGO Power Function Motors
• 4,032 LEGO TECHNIC gear wheels
• 2,016 LEGO TECHNIC cross axles
• Theoretical performance of 5.3 HP
• Estimated Torque of 92 Nm
• Functional rear spoiler (using both LEGO Power Functions and Pneumatics)
• Functional speedometer built entirely from LEGO TECHNIC elements
• 13,438-man hours used on development and construction
• The model comes with real Bugatti Chiron wheels and emblem

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