There are several super- and hypersports that can take circuits, but not on ordinary roads. They are offered by Ferrari, Porsche or McLaren. And he obviously thinks about them in Bugatti as well. How else to explain the question allegedly asked by the carmaker’s management: What if Bugatti produced extreme circuit hypersports? And it’s no longer just a theory, the Bolide model gives a surprisingly realistic answer to a hypothetical question.
So what would such a car be like? Above all, damn fast. The philosophy in building the Bugatti Bolide was to offer maximum performance with as few body parts as possible, while maintaining maximum downforce. The result is a dry weight of 1240 kilograms combined with 1361 kW (1850 hp) and 1850 Nm of torque – giving an incredible 0.67 kg per horsepower ratio.
However, the car only reaches maximum power when using racing fuel with an octane number of 110. When using fuel with an octane number of 98, the power drops to 1600 hp – and this is the same value as with the Chiron Super Sport 300+. The standard Chiron then has an output of 1500 horsepower.
The power is provided by basically the same eight-liter sixteen-cylinder with four turbochargers, the power is transmitted to all wheels by a seven-speed two-clutch automatic. However, both the engine and the transmission have undergone many modifications – they should be better able to handle circuit driving at higher speeds. “For the first time, we are showing what the W16 engine is really capable of,” said Bugatti boss Stephan Winkelmann at the drive unit.
The four turbochargers were newly developed, the engine does not have such a “constricted” exhaust system and lubrication and cooling have undergone a significant change. This should withstand the circuit load in the form of a series of fast wheels in a row.
Low weight combined with high performance also mean breathtaking dynamic parameters. From 0 to 100 km / h, Bolide accelerates in 2.17 seconds, to 200 km / h in 4.36 seconds, to 300 km / h in 7.37 seconds, to 400 km / h in 12.08 seconds and to 500 km / h in 20.16 seconds. Yes, the new Bugatti has to “significantly” exceed the 500 km / h mark. All this at a time when the SSC Tuatara, with a top speed of 508.73 km / h, broke the speed record for production cars.
However, it should also be noted that these are data according to simulated estimates of the carmaker, so in reality they may differ slightly. With such speed, however, it is no surprise that Bugatti estimates the time needed to embrace the North Loop of the Nürburgring at 5: 23.1 minutes. That would place him just behind the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, the racing endurance special of the LMP1 class. It should be added that the discipline of acceleration from 0 to 400 km / h and then deceleration back to 0 km / h will take the car 24.64 seconds.
The dry weight of 1240 kg was achieved by the technicians using light materials. The basis is a carbon fiber monocoque, the same material was also used in the construction of the front, while the rear frame is made of welded steel. All screws and fasteners are made of titanium, and many other components are made of an even lighter titanium alloy used in the aerospace industry. These elements were made in a 3D printer and have a wall thickness of 0.5 mm, but they are also very strong.
Next in line is aerodynamics and the mentioned maximum downforce. By optimizing the airflow, the Bugatti Bolide can generate a pressure of 1800 kg on the rear wing and 800 kg in the front. All this at a speed of 320 km / h. An interesting innovation is the changing surface of the intake opening on the roof. When the car is driving at low speed, the body is smooth, but if the speed increases, a bump will appear. This should reduce the aerodynamic drag of the intake port by up to 10 percent.
Bolide uses pushrod suspension with horizontal shock absorbers, the control arms are then made of stainless steel again in aviation and aerospace. The stops are in charge of ceramic discs, which are hidden behind forged magnesium wheels with a diameter of 18 inches. The rims then have extra wide tires – 340 mm wide at the front and 400 mm wide at the rear.
With a length of 4756 mm and a width of 1998 mm, the car is not surprising, but the height of 995 mm is exactly the same as in the historic Bugatti Type 35. and several X-shaped elements.
This appears in the front and especially the rear lights and is a reminder of the Bell X-1 aircraft. With him, pilot Charles Yeager was the first to exceed the speed of sound in 1947. The cabin itself then provides virtually no comfort, everything is focused on sports and racing use of the car. The pedals can also be adjusted on the car to find the optimal position behind the wheel. As for safety features, the car is equipped according to FIA regulations.
However, Bugatti has not yet decided on the possible production of circuit hypersports. According to Winkelmann, in addition to demonstrating its capabilities, Bolidem wanted to please enthusiasts around the world who had long wanted a similar car.
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