autoevolution
 

Bugatti CEO Talks Hybrid Chiron Successor

Previously confirmed to arrive no sooner than 2024, the successor of the Bugatti Chiron is now just an idea waiting to materialize once the Volkswagen Group’s crown jewel decides on what’s next for the upper echelon of the hypercar genre. The critical piece of the puzzle, however, is the future model going hybrid.
Bugatti Chiron 22 photos
Photo: Bugatti
U.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti ChironU.S.-spec Bugatti Chiron
Prior to the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the company’s chief executive officer alluded to hybridization as a solution to superior performance. Going hybrid is also the way to keep the European Union happy, especially if you consider emission regulations get more stringent with each and every year.

But at the IAA 2017, Wolfgang Durheimer didn’t sound as enthusiastic about hybridization as he did two months ago. Road & Track reports the official told the media that "electrification also might be a topic for Bugatti. It's not decided yet, but we have interesting alternatives. The race will go on.” To sum it up, the model will “go faster, quicker, and be better in every dimension."

Durheimer further said the Chiron sold 300 units out of the scheduled 500, and that the model will be offered for a total of six years. 2018 marks the starts of the pre-development phase for the successor, and actual elbow grease will be put into the project from 2019. When all is said and done, not even the French automaker knows what it wants from the heir-apparent.

As it was the case with the Veyron – and as it is with the Chiron – Bugatti has a number of promises to make. “Extremely high end, very sharp, no compromise. The best materials, best technology, highest price. No rebates.” In other words, the starting price will likely surpass the $3 million threshold.

Performance, meanwhile, will see the go-faster bits develop more than 1,500 ponies. Top speed will likely put the Chiron’s 420 km/h (261 mph) to shame, whereas fuel economy could be better than the quad-turbo W16-powered hypercar’s 11 miles per gallon (21 l/100 km) on the combined cycle.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories