Last year, Bugatti unveiled the experimental hypercar concept Bolide, a project aimed at exploring how fast the brand’s 8.0-liter W16 engine could propel a car stripped of the luxuries found in the Chiron. Now, Bugatti has confirmed that the Bolide will enter limited production.
For the Bolide, Bugatti developed an entirely new lightweight carbon fiber body and unleashed 1,825 bhp from the engine with larger turbochargers and reassignment to account for higher octane fuel. The result was a claimed 0-311 mph time of just 20 seconds.
As part of its Monterey Car Week announcement, Bugatti stated that it would manufacture 40 Bolide models with production specifications. The hypercar is currently undergoing the final stages of its development program, with Bugatti aiming to commence deliveries in 2024. Prices will start at $4 million.
While the limited-run Bolide looks nearly identical to the concept, there have been some significant mechanical revisions underneath. Bugatti has controlled the colossal power output of the concept, limiting it to the same 1,578 bhp as the Chiron Super Sport.
The primary reason cited for this limitation is fuel availability. While the Bolide concept was designed to run on 110-octane race fuel, the production model will run on regular 98-octane unleaded, which is widely available at gas stations worldwide.
However, Bugatti has still made numerous modifications to the engine to ensure it can withstand the demands of a race track. The cooling system has been revised, and the intake and exhaust systems have been tuned to enhance responsiveness.
The production model will also be slightly heavier than the concept. Bugatti states it will weigh 1,450 kg, which is half a ton less than the Chiron but around 100 kg more than the Bolide prototype. The result is a power-to-weight ratio of 1,088 hp per ton.
Bugatti engineers have been working hard to ensure the Bolide complies with FIA international safety standards, requiring a considerable number of new components. As a result, the seat is now compatible with a HANS device, and there is an automatic fire extinguisher linked to the cabin.
The interior of the production-ready Bolide has not been revealed yet, but like the concept, it is expected to be a race-ready affair, featuring heavily bolstered bucket seats, a minimalist dashboard, and a race-style cut-off steering wheel.
Bugatti has not disclosed the amount of aerodynamic downforce the production-spec Bolide will generate. For now, all the brand has revealed is that the body has been designed with “maximum aerodynamic load” in mind.
The brand’s engineers have also made some adjustments to the shapes of key aerodynamic pieces on the hypercar. The front bumper gains a pair of new fins, while the V-shaped spoiler on the concept has been replaced by a flat counterpart. However, the stabilizing fin above the engine cover has been retained.
The front splitter on the Bolide concept can generate up to 800 kg of aerodynamic downforce at 200 mph, all on its own. The massive rear wing adds another 1,800 kg.
