The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ grabbed plenty of attention in 2019 when it hit 490.484km/h (304.773mph) at the Ehra-Lessien test track in Germany – in the process setting a new speed record for production-based cars. Although the car created for the record attempt was a one-off, it paved the way for the road-going Super Sport 300+, of which 30 examples were built.
Now comes the daily-driveable Chiron Super Sport, which is now available to order for 3.2 million euros ($A5.04m) plus taxes and import duties, ahead of first deliveries commencing in early 2022. Rather than merely being a warmed-over Chiron, the SuperSport represents a comprehensive overhaul, with virtually every aspect of the car being re-engineered, in line with its ultra-high-speed job description.
Whereas the regular Chiron is speed-limited to 420km/h, the SuperSport ups the ante to 440km/h. It accelerates to 400km/h, seven per cent faster than its standard sibling. Bugatti claims the SuperSport sprints to 200km/h in 5.8 seconds and 300km/h in just 12.1 seconds. Propulsion for the limited-edition model comes from an uprated version of Bugatti’s quad-turbo W16 engine, eking out an additional 100ps (74kW) for a total output of 1600ps (1176kW).
The Super Sport’s mighty powerplant is also more rev-happy than the standard W16, spinning all way up to 7100rpm. In addition, the peak torque figure of 1600Nm is accessible from 2000 to 7000 pm, rather than up to 6000rpm. The power and rev hike is the result of larger turbochargers, plus modifications to the oil pump, cylinder-head and valvetrain, and the transmission and clutch. At full load, the dual-clutch gearbox now shifts from sixth to seventh gear (which has a 3.6 per cent higher ratio than standard) at a mind-boggling 403km/h. When changing gear, boost pressure dips for a mere 0.3 seconds, then returning to full boost pressure of 2.8 bar to fill the Chiron Super Sport’s 16 combustion chambers. Despite its mind-numbing stats, the SuperSport is touted as a well-rounded and user-friendly hypercar.
Bugatti designers also enlarged the diffuser cross-section, pushing the diffuser’s trailing edge higher and reducing the rear’s trailing surface by 44 per cent. The company claimed the extended rear and modified front makes for balanced aerodynamics at high speed.
“Even on long bends taken at high speeds, the rear remains calm and neutral, resulting in a very composed drive in the Chiron SuperSport,” says Bugatti’s head of chassis development, Jachin Schwalbe.
To boost the effect of the diffuser and give it more space, Bugatti has relocated the otherwise central exhaust system closer to the sides, with the pipes stacked vertically. The exhaust system is also said to emit a more profound and richer soundtrack.
“If we can generate downforce with the diffuser, there is no need for us to generate it with a drag-inducing wing. This means we can retract the wing as far as possible in Top Speed mode for minimal drag,” says deputy design director Frank Heyl.
The Chiron Super Sport’s nose features side air curtains alongside the air intakes to provide improved airflow from the front to the wheel-arches, keeping it close to the vehicle’s side.
Befitting its ultra-premium status in the Bugatti line-up, the Super Sport’s interior is trimmed in leather and polished aluminium, as well as high-tech carbon-fibre highlights.