With production of Bugatti’s mercurial Veyron hypercar to come to an end at the end of 2015 (15 cars away from being sold out), the automotive fraternity eagerly awaits its successor, which will reportedly produce in excess of 1 100 kW and boast a theoretical 460 km/h top speed.
The replacement for the company’s famed hypercar will make use of a heavily revised version of the quad-turbo 8,0-litre W16 powerplant that currently does service in the Veyron. But, like the fresh crop of hypercars from Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche, the new Bugatti will also make use of hybrid technology in the form of a disc-shaped electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery, according to Autocar.
The improvements to the W16 engine are believed to include a direct-injection system instead of the multi-point setup currently in use, while electric turbochargers are also a possibility.
Test mules for the new Bugatti already exist and are undergoing serious testing. “Five developmental prototypes with differing powertrain combinations have been constructed up to now. They are based on the existing car but use various solutions that are being considered for the new model,” a company insider told the British publication.
Just like the Veyron, its predecessor will feature a carbon-fibre monocoque and make extensive use of lightweight technologies to help keep its overall mass to a minimum. Apparently, a zero-to-100 km/h sprint of 2,3 seconds is also on the cards.
Just like Veyron, Bugatti’s new hypercars will be limited to just 450 units.
Source: Autocar
