Bugatti unveiled a new variant of the Chiron Sport named the Chiron Sport Les Légendes du Ciel, paying homage to French aeronautics. The luxury automotive brand is generating excitement for it in a way that suits a French aviation-inspired, high-priced hypercar: by introducing it alongside a French fighter jet, inspired by a memorable instance when Top Gear pitted a Veyron against a Eurofighter Typhoon.
Limited to just 20 units, the Chiron Ciel edition showcases a matte gray finish reminiscent of fighter jets, the tricolors of the French flag on its carbon side panels, and front grille slats crafted from laser-cut aluminum resembling aircraft formations. This unique edition features Gaucho leather interior, evoking the essence of historic aircrafts. Naturally, the powerhouse remains the 8.0-liter W16 engine, boasting 1,479 horsepower, all packaged at an approximate cost of $3.52 million Euros. (A competitive price considering the Chiron Pur Sport that The Drive‘s Deputy Editor Kristen Lee is currently test-driving costs nearly $4 million.)
Bugatti
On the opposing side, we have the Dassault Rafale Marine, a French-designed aircraft for the nation’s Navy. In operation since 2000, this jet weighs 10.3 tons when dry and is capable of remarkably short takeoffs due to its unique wing construction. While the Chiron Sport maxes out at 261 mph, the 5,649-horsepower Dassault can push boundaries up to 1,227 mph or 1.6 Mach.
Accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 2.4 seconds, the car initially outpaces the jet, but eventually, the Dassault performs its aerobatic feat, taking off and soaring beyond the Chiron’s speed. Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel recalls, “I moved ahead of the Rafale in the first few meters, but shortly after that, it was cruising 20 meters above me in the air, an incredible and breathtaking spectacle.”
Nevertheless, the pilot shares that the sensations experienced in the Bugatti closely mirror those in the plane. “The Chiron Sport delivers an incredible thrust that nearly matches that of the Rafale,” stated pilot Etienne. “The sensation in the Bugatti aligns with that in the jet, including during deceleration.”
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