- Bugatti has re-entered the competition for the top speed record
- In 2019, the company’s Chiron Super Sport 300+ reached an impressive speed of 304.7 mph
- Bugatti’s new hypercar, the Tourbillon, boasts nearly 200 more horsepower than the Chiron Super Sport 300+
Bugatti made waves in the automotive industry two decades ago with the introduction of the Veyron, which had a remarkable four-figure horsepower rating. This vehicle shattered the previous land speed record for production cars by reaching an astonishing top speed of 253 mph.
When it launched the Chiron, Bugatti took a different approach by downplaying the car’s maximum speed potential. Former CEO Stephan Winkelmann, who now leads Lamborghini, stated in 2019 that Bugatti would be focusing on performance metrics other than top speed.
However, this stance changed after Bugatti recorded a top speed of 304.7 mph with a version of the Chiron, making it the first production car to exceed the 300-mph milestone.
Under new leadership, Bugatti is shifting its focus back to speed records. During August’s Monterey Car Week, when asked if the company was done pursuing speed, Mate Rimac—the head of Bugatti Rimac, which oversees hypercar development for both the Bugatti and Rimac brands—responded, “It was. It isn’t.”
Mate Rimac
Bugatti’s Chief Technology Officer, Emilio Scervo, elaborated further, stating that the company will continue to pursue higher top speeds while ensuring that the comfort and thrill of driving, which customers expect, are not compromised.
“We will strive to push this boundary higher while maintaining the characteristic comfort that is very Bugatti,” Scervo shared with The Drive. “It won’t feel like a terrifying high-speed experience; instead, it will become more emotional and sophisticated in its delivery.”
Guided by Rimac, Bugatti has introduced the Tourbillon as the successor to the Chiron. This new model, set to begin production in 2026, was unveiled in June. It features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V-16 engine with three electric motors, resulting in a remarkable combined power output of 1,775 hp.
Bugatti Tourbillon
The Tourbillon’s top speed is currently limited to 276 mph, but considering the Chiron Super Sport 300+ already reached 304.773 mph, a genuine maximum speed beyond 300 mph could be feasible. However, this speed is not yet recognized by Guinness as a record because it requires averaging two runs in opposing directions within an hour, which accounts for factors such as road gradient and wind.
Since the Chiron 300+ only made a single run at 304.7 mph, the SSC Tuatara holds the record with its speed of 282.9 mph achieved in 2021.
While SSC seems to have withdrawn from the race for a new record, Bugatti must contend with another significant competitor: Koenigsegg and its Jesko Absolut. The Swedish manufacturer has previously claimed that its hypercar could potentially surpass 300 mph.
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