Bugatti Finally Previews the Geneva-Bound Chiron

2017 Bugatti Chiron (Credit: © Bugatti)

After what seemed like an eternity of teasing and spy shots, Bugatti’s next generation of supercar has finally been unveiled. Folks, meet the all-new 2017 Bugatti Chiron. This spiritual successor to the Veyron rolls in boasting a new, sexier look and a more powerful engine than its predecessor.

The first thing I noticed is just how similar, yet different, the Chiron looks next to the Veyron. A quick peek and you may think they are actually the same car. However, the Chiron’s look is more refined and a lot less jelly bean-like.

While the exact dimensions were not released, the Chiron looks like it is significantly wider than the Veyron. This could, however, be an optical illusion created by the wider LED headlights, the large front air inlets, and that sexy new tail with a single-bar taillight assembly.

2017 Bugatti Chiron (Credit: © Bugatti)

Speaking of this backside, this is where the Chiron really sets itself apart from the exiting Veyron. It does so by way of its aforementioned single-bar taillight assembly, its more supercar-like rear diffuser, its revised center-mounted exhaust, integrated rear spoiler, and last, but certainly not least, more angled rear glass area that eliminates the jelly-bean look that I hated about the Veyron.

Also super-unique are the B-pillar swoops that go from the base of the doors, around the air intakes, across the roof, and finally meet the A-pillars. What’s even cooler is that this reverse C is mimicked by a pillar in the interior of the car that flows from the center console, up the rear of the cabin, and toward the windshield.

Inside the cabin is a space that puts even the Veyron to shame, as Bugatti did the impossible in making the Chiron’s cockpit even more premium than its predecessor’s. Bugatti was pretty thin on the details, but you can easily make out the premium materials and the attention to detail that went into crafting every piece.

2017 Bugatti Chiron (Credit: © Bugatti)

Under its hood, the Chiron carries on with the brand’s 8.0-liter W-16 engine but with four larger turbos with two-stage turbocharging technology. This powerplant cranks out a mammoth 1,500 horsepower and a face-stretching 1,600 pound-feet of twist—the latter comes on full-force between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. This amounts to a 420 km/h (261 mph) top speed and a 2.5-second 0-to-62 mph sprint.

An area the Veyron relatively struggled in was handling, and Bugatti is nipping this with the new Chiron. Under the skin is a new carbon-fiber monocoque, a new adaptive chassis, and specially developed tires, which all help make this the brand’s most agile supercar yet.

So, how much will this beast hurt your savings account? How does €2.4 million ($2.6 million) sound?

More details will roll out once the Chiron makes its official debut on March 1st in Geneva. Stay tuned for updates.