The Bugatti Chiron entered the market in 2016 as one of the swiftest production cars worldwide. Bugatti’s mission was to craft a versatile luxury automobile that also happened to be an incredibly powerful hypercar, and looking at the Chiron’s journey so far, one could easily agree that they achieved their goal. Playing a critical role in this endeavor was the Chiron prototype 4-005, which accumulated 45,981 miles during its eight-year tenure. Bugatti has revealed that this reliable workhorse will now retire, highlighting its triumphs and milestones throughout its illustrious service.
The nomenclature of the car is straightforward: “4” denotes prototype, while “005” signifies that it was the fifth Chiron prototype fabricated. The 4-005 primarily functioned as a testing ground for the Electrics and Electronics development team. Systems like HVAC controls, instrument cluster displays, and other functionalities were all honed using the 4-005. This led the prototype on global adventures, ensuring that elements such as navigation systems, radio, and phone systems operated seamlessly across different countries with varying standards. Performance assessments were also conducted to guarantee that features like the HVAC system could handle diverse environments ranging from scorching desert heat to freezing snowy conditions.
Bugatti
The Chiron’s interior concept revolved around catering to the driver’s requirements, especially during high-speed driving exceeding 400km/h. Distractions at such velocities could lead to catastrophe. When activated with the “speed” key, granting unrestricted performance, the Chiron shuts off all but the essential screens to enable the driver to concentrate on the most critical task—driving.
To achieve this objective, the Chiron forgoes a sizable central infotainment display entirely, concentrating the main displays within the instrument cluster. Upon discovering the necessity to share data with the passenger during tests in 4-005, this information was integrated into the four smaller screens located within the centrally-mounted HVAC controls. This approach is refreshingly simplistic, underscoring the lessons learned through extensive testing.
Rüdiger Warda working on the display hardware in the 4-005 Chiron prototype., Bugatti
Delving into the minutiae of user interface development in a contemporary hypercar can be enlightening, a topic often overshadowed by discussions of horsepower, top speeds, and exorbitant price tags. Details such as font choices and navigation icons are considered, all aimed at enhancing user intuition and simplicity. “We stumble upon many detailed solutions during drives, discuss them within the team, and then implement them, with the inception at the 4-005,” elucidates Mark Schröder, involved in the Chiron’s human-machine interface from 2011 onward.
Bugatti also divulged insights into the development of the Chiron’s high-fidelity sound system and the meticulous process of aligning all the car’s dials to respond uniformly to the driver’s touch. Such attention to detail truly sets the standard in interior design within the automotive industry at this echelon.
The 4-005 Chiron testbed fitted with a G.i.N. automotive datalogger., Bugatti
Among the noteworthy achievements of the 4-005 prototype during its prime were completing laps at the high-speed Nardò ring, executing snow drifts in Scandinavia, and reportedly enduring a blast from the afterburner of a Eurofighter Typhoon. While additional photographic evidence or videos of these feats are lacking, there’s hope that a determined Bugatti archivist may unveil more treasures in the future.
Gaining a glimpse behind the scenes only serves to increase our curiosity, leaving us yearning for a deeper understanding of the creation process behind one of the speediest hypercars ever conceived.
Got a tip? Inform us: tips@thedrive.com
