The Evolution of Bugatti: A Journey Through the Fastest Cars Ever Made
Bugatti, the iconic French automaker, has been synonymous with speed and performance for over a century. From its inception in 1909 to the present day, Bugatti has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering to create some of the fastest cars ever made. In this article, we will take you on a thrilling journey through the history of Bugatti’s fastest cars, from the iconic Type 57SC Atlantic to the groundbreaking Bolide.
1. The 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
The 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic was a trailblazer in the pursuit of top speed records. With its elegant fastback body style and iconic teardrop design, the Type 57SC Atlantic stood out among its contemporaries. Equipped with a 3.3-liter straight-8 engine and a supercharger, this car generated an impressive 210 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h), the Type 57SC Atlantic became the fastest road car of its time.
2. The 1927 Bugatti Type 41 Royale
While Bugatti is renowned for its speed record-breaking hypercars, it has also dabbled in the world of luxury. The 1927 Bugatti Type 41 Royale was a prime example of Bugatti’s foray into luxury automobiles. Built to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce, the Type 41 Royale was a full-size, luxury sedan with a curb weight of 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg). Powered by a massive 12.8-liter straight-8 engine, the Type 41 Royale achieved a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h), a remarkable feat for its time.
3. The 1998 Bugatti EB112
In a surprising departure from its usual high-performance sports cars, Bugatti introduced the EB112 in 1998 – a production luxury sedan. Although the company faced financial challenges and only three unfinished EB112 sedans were produced, this model showcased Bugatti’s versatility. The EB112 featured a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that produced 450 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h) and a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, the EB112 demonstrated that Bugatti could combine luxury and performance in a four-door package.
4. The 1991 Bugatti EB110 GT
Under the ownership of Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli, Bugatti released the EB110 GT in 1991. This mid-engine supercar featured a 3.5-liter quad-turbo V-12 engine that delivered an impressive 553 horsepower and 451 lb-ft of torque. With all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, the EB110 GT accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and achieved a top speed of 213 mph (342 km/h). While the GT variant was more focused on comfort than its sportier sibling, it still packed a punch on the road.
5. The 2020 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport
Bugatti’s Chiron Pur Sport, introduced in 2020, was a track-focused iteration of the company’s hyper-grand-tourer. With revised aerodynamics, including a tall fixed rear spoiler, aerodynamic wheels, and a weight reduction of 110 pounds (50 kg), the Chiron Pur Sport delivered enhanced performance. Equipped with an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W-16 engine, the Pur Sport unleashed a staggering 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a mind-blowing 2.2 seconds and achieved a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h).
6. The 1992 Bugatti EB110 SS
As the only Bugatti produced under Romano Artioli’s ownership, the EB110 SS boasted a lighter and more powerful design than its predecessor, the EB110 GT. With a weight reduction of 445 pounds (202 kg), thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber, the EB110 SS delivered exceptional performance. Its 3.5-liter quad-turbo V-12 engine generated an impressive 612 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 221 mph (355 km/h) and a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.2 seconds, the EB110 SS claimed the title of the fastest production car for a brief period.
7. The 2020 Bugatti Divo
The Bugatti Divo, introduced in 2020, was a limited-edition track-focused version of the Chiron. With increased downforce, aerodynamic enhancements, and a weight reduction of 40 pounds (18 kg), the Divo delivered unparalleled performance. Powered by the same 8.0-liter quad-turbo W-16 engine as the Chiron, the Divo unleashed 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Its top speed was limited to 236 mph (380 km/h), allowing for a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in just 2.2 seconds.
8. The 2020 Bugatti Centodieci
To celebrate 110 years of Bugatti’s existence, the Centodieci was introduced in 2022 as a neo-retro-styled model based on the Chiron. With design cues inspired by the Bugatti EB110, the Centodieci featured an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W-16 engine that produced a staggering 1,600 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. With all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Centodieci accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds and achieved a top speed of 236 mph (380 km/h). Only 10 examples of this limited-edition model were produced.
9. The 2005 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
In 2005, Bugatti reclaimed the title of the world’s fastest production car with the Veyron 16.4. Powered by an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W-16 engine, the Veyron produced 1,001 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque. With an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the Veyron accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and achieved a top speed of 253 mph (407 km/h). The Veyron’s groundbreaking performance reignited the speed war among automotive manufacturers.
10. The 2018 Bugatti Chiron/Chiron Sport
The Chiron, introduced in 2018 as the successor to the Veyron, took Bugatti’s performance to new heights. With a quad-turbo W-16 engine delivering 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque, the Chiron was a force to be reckoned with on the road. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 2.2 seconds and achieved a top speed of 261 mph (420 km/h). Bugatti later introduced the Chiron Sport, which featured a weight reduction of 40 pounds (18 kg) and a stiffer suspension for enhanced track performance.
11. The 2023 Bugatti Bolide
The Bugatti Bolide, introduced in 2021, was initially seen as a concept car. However, Bugatti surprised enthusiasts by announcing its production, with deliveries expected in 2024. The Bolide, meaning “race car” in French, lives up to its name with its track-focused design and incredible speed. Powered by an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W-16 engine generating a mind-boggling 1,850 horsepower and 1,364 lb-ft of torque, the Bolide is set to achieve a top speed of 311 mph (500 km/h). With only 40 units to be produced, the Bolide represents the pinnacle of Bugatti’s engineering prowess.
Conclusion
Bugatti’s journey through the decades has been one of relentless pursuit of speed and performance. From the iconic Type 57SC Atlantic of the 1930s to the groundbreaking Bolide of the present day, Bugatti has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering. These fastest Bugattis ever made have left an indelible mark on the automotive industry, showcasing the brand’s commitment to excellence and innovation. As Bugatti continues to evolve, one can only imagine what incredible feats of engineering and speed lie ahead.