Photo: Bugatti
As those of you following our Bugatti stories might remember, there was a lot of talk about a hybrid powertrain before Molsheim revealed the Chiron velocity monster, most of which was centered around the Veyron test mules spied using what appeared to be electric propulsion hardware on top of their internal combustion engines.
And while the 1,500 hp Chiron is here without delivering a single electron juice-developed pony, the Volkswagen Groups crown jewel brand is still considering turning its hypercar into a gas-electric effort.
Wolfgang Durheimer, Bugatti (and Bentley, for that matter) CEO recently let it slip that the company is considering adding electric power. However, Bugatti's helm man pointed out that the company isn't looking to play the environmental cars, seeking extra performance instead.
“If we would do a hybrid component, then it would not be to drive around in the city using electric motors. It would only be to add to the performance. This is something we have under consideration now. We will see what the future brings,” Durheimer told Autocar.
The packaging limitations are the greatest obstacle that needs to be overcome in the hybridization process. Then again, with gas-electric machines such as the Koenigsegg Regera, which is lighter and more powerful than the current Chiron, we might be looking at a noblesse oblige case here.
As is the case with Rolls-Royce clientele, Bugatti customers have conservative views when it comes to spending their money on such machines, which probably sits behind the automaker's all-performance view of the matter.
Speaking of which, if you're looking for an overly lavish brand that affords to wave the green banner, this has to be Maybach. Having been recently re-resurrected, Mercedes-Benz's luxurious marque has recently introduced an all-electric coupe, in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Vision Maybach 6 Concept. Then again, the path to production is still uncertain, so this is another story for another time.
Wolfgang Durheimer, Bugatti (and Bentley, for that matter) CEO recently let it slip that the company is considering adding electric power. However, Bugatti's helm man pointed out that the company isn't looking to play the environmental cars, seeking extra performance instead.
“If we would do a hybrid component, then it would not be to drive around in the city using electric motors. It would only be to add to the performance. This is something we have under consideration now. We will see what the future brings,” Durheimer told Autocar.
The packaging limitations are the greatest obstacle that needs to be overcome in the hybridization process. Then again, with gas-electric machines such as the Koenigsegg Regera, which is lighter and more powerful than the current Chiron, we might be looking at a noblesse oblige case here.
As is the case with Rolls-Royce clientele, Bugatti customers have conservative views when it comes to spending their money on such machines, which probably sits behind the automaker's all-performance view of the matter.
Speaking of which, if you're looking for an overly lavish brand that affords to wave the green banner, this has to be Maybach. Having been recently re-resurrected, Mercedes-Benz's luxurious marque has recently introduced an all-electric coupe, in the form of the Mercedes-Benz Vision Maybach 6 Concept. Then again, the path to production is still uncertain, so this is another story for another time.
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