Bugatti Bolide – When fiction meets reality

It is difficult to put into words how a Bugatti rides. The reason being because I haven´t driven it, and because when trying to figure out which brand makes the best outright vehicle. Bugatti is almost always mentioned. A truly unique brand that through its mindset and feats has segmented itself not only as a brand, but an entity that is a Bugatti. The name has become more than just a car.

VAG´s choice of making the Bugatti Veyron seemed as logical as throwing money down the toilet. Losing money on each car they sold, in terms of having a viable business, Bugatti failed. But, they created something that hasn’t really existed. At least in modern times. Ultimate luxury coupled with ultimate performance and speed. The next iteration, the Chiron, followed the same philosophy as the Veyron, and different versions of the Chiron has been made to suit everyone with a hole burning in their pockets. The only fault you could give to a Bugatti is its weight. Although it is also what makes it what it is. What happens if you remove the goal of producing the most luxurious car, and instead go beyond what is actually capable. Experimental testing of the epitome of what is possible, and making it into something that can be driven on four wheels by a mortal.   

Built around the W16, 8.0 L engine, which with race fuel produces 1850 hp and 1850 Nm of torque. Maximum torque is reached from 2000 – 7025 rpm, meaning more or less the entire rev range. With carbon fiber everywhere the dry weight, without fuel, and other fluids, becomes 1240 kg. Combine these numbers, and the simulated performance is as follows:

• 0 – 100 km/h               2.17 s
• 0 – 200 km/h               4.36 s
• 0 – 300 km/h               7.37 s
• 0 – 400 km/h               12.08 s
• 0 – 500 km/h               20.16 s
• 0 – 400 – 0 km/h        24.64 s
• 0 – 500 – 0 km/h        33.62 s

These numbers are absolutely ridiculous. It is not possible to fathom what these numbers do to your body. Blowing the Koenigsegg’s world record of 0-400-0 km/h with almost 10 seconds. It is unprecedented.

Even though straight line numbers are where the Bolide trumps everyone else, it is on the race track that it belongs. With a maximum lateral acceleration of 2.8 G and a drag coefficient of 1.31 in high downforce configuration, it will probably destroy lap records as well. Designed with F1 and LMP1 in mind. The control arms work as wings to control the air

A worldwide innovation is the morphable outer skin of the intake scoop on the roof, which provides active airflow optimization. At slow speed the surface of the scoop remains smooth. In contrast, a field of bubbles bulges out when driven at fast speeds, reducing the aerodynamic drag of the scoop by 10 percent and the lift force by 17 percent.

I could go on for hours about the design and exterior, but I will try to concise it the best I can. Retaining the Bugatti look with the shoehorn front, the ever more aggressive c on the side, and a body shape that could only be interpreted as a race car from the future. Even though it might look to off-putting for some, it has been designed by the laws of physics where form follows function, which objectively makes it stunning. The color combo of the dark carbon fiber weave and the blue, red and white details is as patriotic as ever.  

Off course, only a handful will be made, and the price will be astronomical. What is the point of this machine then? A PR-trick? Yes. The ultimate track car for the super wealthy? Also yes, but also shows where we are today, and what we are capable of. If you would ask me if we would have almost 2000 hp cars that could do 0-300 km/h in the same car it takes a normal car to do 0-100 km/h ten years ago, I would say that you were crazy, but here we are.