Speed Demons: The Bugatti Models That Defined High-Speed Excellence

Bugatti's legacy is intricately linked to the extraordinary feats of speed achieved by its iconic models. Let's take a closer look at the Bugattis that have set the pace for both velocity and innovation.

Historical Icons

- Type 35
- Era: 1920s
- Highlights: Secured over 1,000 wins in competitive racing
- Power: 138 horsepower

- "Train-like" Luxury Flop
- Distinctive Features: Spanned 6 meters, weighed 3 tonnes, equipped with a 12.7-litre inline-eight engine
- Outcome: Although grand, it was a commercial disappointment

- Aviation Beauty
- Design: Crafted for late 1930s speed trials
- Did Not Fly: Grounded by World War II

Revival and Rebirth

- EB 110
- Context: Part of a 1990s revival effort
- Specs: Featured quad turbo, AWD, and a V12 engine
- Timing: Released during a global recession

- 1999 Concept Car
- Engine: 6.3-litre W18
- Power: 555bhp
- Insight: Served as a prelude to the Veyron, evolving over six years

Veyron Era and Beyond

- Bugatti Veyron
- Dream: 400kph and 1,000 horsepower
- Financials: Resulted in a €4 million loss per car sold

- Super Sport (SS)
- Achievements: Introduced new turbos and aerodynamic refinements
- Record: Reached 268mph on the VW test track

- Chiron
- Engine: Quad turbo W16 producing 1,479bhp
- Top Speed: 261mph
- Price: £1.8 million

- Divo
- Transformation: A track-focused model engineered under Stephan Winkelmann
- Concept: Offers Fabergé egg-like exclusivity

Modern Marvels

- Chiron Super Sport 300+
- Power: 1,578bhp
- Milestone: Surpassed the 300mph barrier

- Mistral
- Achievement: Set a cabriolet speed record of 282mph in 2024
- Upcoming: Tourbillon

- Rimac Collaboration
- Tech Infusion: Combines a Cosworth V16 with three electric motors, providing 1,775bhp
- Features: Boasts intricate aerodynamics and a luxurious cabin

In summary, Bugatti's relentless pursuit of speed and luxury has resulted in a series of groundbreaking vehicles. From early victories to modern marvels, each model embodies an era of automotive fascination and technological prowess.