Elite Traveler March-April 2016

Motoring DISCOVER

THE MAKING OF A HYPERCAR

The most hyped of hypercars will be unveiled in Geneva this month. The Bugatti Chiron is here at last as the replacement for the Veyron, currently the fastest production car in the world. With Bugatti owned by VW, the company responsible for the emissions scandal, there were concerns it might be shelved. Bugatti was also a pet project of former VW chairman Ferdinand Piëch, and it is

good news for fans of absurdly fast cars that it survived both Piëch’s departure and the fall out from “emissions-gate”. In Greek mythology, Chiron was the best of the centaurs (half men, half horses), notable for an ability to bring youth. Sadly, Bugatti’s Chiron offers no such life extending properties, and is instead named after French racing driver Louis Chiron (pictured above, inset). Chiron’s exploits for

Bugatti lit up the 1920s and 1930s, although his career extended well into the 1950s, lasting a somehow now unthinkable 35 years. Apparently, 100 orders have already been taken for the Chiron, despite it not being launched. So what is all the fuss about? All is due to be revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show this month. bugatti.com

CO 2 : Don’t ask

THE CHIRON IN NUMBERS * All estimated

CO 2

2.5

8.0

14

288

2.5

1,500

0-62mph time of 2.5 seconds*

Top speed: 288mph*

Power: 1,500bhp*

Price: Over $2.5m*

Engine type: Quad-turbo, 8.0-liter W16

Economy: 14mpg*