Industry News: Bugatti Breaks 300 mph Barrier; Retires from Record Breaking

[Drew Dowdell]

A near-production prototype Bugatti Chiron on special Michelin tires has broken the 300 mph barrier in Germany at the Ehra-Lessien proving ground. Though full specs were not announced, but it is suspected to have 1,578 horsepower, carbon fiber components, taller gearing, lowered suspension, and specialized Michelin tires. 

The test mule received a clip on rear tail with a more aggressive diffuser. If the car makes it into production, it will hold the record as the fastest production cars. The current holder is the Koenigsegg Agera RS that maxed out at 277 mph.

Just after the record setting run, Bugatti's president Stephan Winkelmann has said that the brand is done chasing speed records. He added, "From now on, we will focus on other areas". 

View full article

[G. David Felt]

Yes, they will focus on other areas till a perfected hover craft is the new auto and then air speed records are up for grabs.

Will be interesting to see what these other areas are going to be.

[smk4565]

I bet the SUV is coming next.  And they'll probably tout a record for fastest SUV.

[balthazar]

I guess 1600 HP pretty much makes any upcoming 1000 HP cars completely obsolete, out the door.

[Drew Dowdell]

15 hours ago, smk4565 said:

I bet the SUV is coming next.  And they'll probably tout a record for fastest SUV.

Given how ugly a Bugatti is today, can you imaging how ugly the SUV would be?

[ccap41]

When is Mercedes going to go after 300mph?

They can't even get an engine to run clean... 

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

When is Mercedes going to go after 300mph?

They can't even get an engine to run clean... 

Yeah, the much hyped AMG One can't do it...

[Drew Dowdell]

Well, knowing VW, the Bugatti has a cheat devices in the emissions computer. 

[ccap41]

4 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Well, knowing VW, the Bugatti has a cheat devices in the emissions computer. 

It's a pre-production model anyway so this one is forgiven..

[smk4565]

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

When is Mercedes going to go after 300mph?

They can't even get an engine to run clean... 

The CT6-V was delayed for emissions reasons too and it just has to pass American standards which aren’t as tough as Europe’s.  The Mercedes W125 did 267 mph back in 1938, so I bet over 80 years later they can find another 33 mph in a prototype vehicle if they wanted to.

[ccap41]

Is 267mph the same as 300mph? 

[balthazar]

General Motors has also set a 268 MPH top speed, but with a 4-cylinder, not a V-12.

[Drew Dowdell]

5 minutes ago, balthazar said:

General Motors has also set a 268 MPH top speed, but with a 4-cylinder, not a V-12.

Oldsmobile Pride!

[balthazar]

And as far as top speeds of OEM custom-built race cars go, its interesting that the vast majority of mercedees are limited to 155 MPH. Shouldn't they be going 650-700 MPH by now??

[Robert Hall]

In the realm of hypercar craziness, when will see 0-60 times that are negative...so fast you get to 60 before you started...;)

[Drew Dowdell]

3 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

In the realm of hypercar craziness, when will see 0-60 times that are negative...so fast you get to 60 before you started...;)

[G. David Felt]

29 minutes ago, balthazar said:

And as far as top speeds of OEM custom-built race cars go, its interesting that the vast majority of mercedees are limited to 155 MPH. Shouldn't they be going 650-700 MPH by now??

Could that be cause MB does not want their productions auto's to go faster than their F1 race cars? ?