BUGATTI Bolide Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

When Bugatti tried to create an extreme version of the Chiron, this is how the result looked, and, in addition, it was built according to FIA's racing regulations.

Bugatti's name is linked with a glorious motorsports history that included two wins at the fantastic Le Mans race in 1937 and 1939. However, over time, the French brand fell. It was almost dead when it was resurrected by Romano Artioli in the early '90s when the car manufacturer produced the EB-110. Later, in 1998, Bugatti was acquired by Volkswagen Group, which gave it back its glory with the mighty Veyron, followed by the Chiron and Divo. In 2020, the automaker digitally showed the Bolide, which took shape as a real car in 2021 at the Milano Motor Show.

The vehicle was designed around the mighty quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Its bodywork was completely made from carbon fiber, and it featured active aerodynamics. This allowed a downforce of up to 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) for the rear axle and 800 kg (1,763 lbs) on the front axle when speeding at 320 kph (199 mph).

The hypercar weighed just a mere 1,240 kg (2,734 lbs), meaning that it could match the performance of a Formula 1 car. Yet unlike those race-cars, it could go with up to 500 kph (310.6 mph). As a result, it could lap the Le Mans racetrack in 3.07:1 minutes.

While most other vehicles produced by Bugatti boasted luxurious features, the only allowance for the Bolide was a cockpit for two occupants. It was fitted with two race seats, which allowed HANS installment. Everything was track-focused, and no detail was left aside. For instance, all the car's screws were made from titanium.

When it used 110 RON race fuel, the eight-liter powerplant produced 1,850 PS (1,825 hp) and 1,850 Nm (1,364 lb-ft) of torque. With 98 RON fuel, those figures decreased to 1,600 PS (1,578 hp) and 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft) of torque. Power went in all corners via an especially designed seven-speed automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox.