2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport Weight savings and a sharper chassis make the big Bug more track-day-ready.
1 WEIGHT SAVING
The emphasis for the Sport is on improved agility, so there’s no extra power from the W 16. Instead, Bugatti has made some weight-saving measures, the most novel of which are the 3D -printed carbonfibre windscreen wipers that save 1.4k g. Carbonfibre is also used for the spoiler, the intercooler cover and the surrounds for the new quad-exit exhaust, while the rear window uses lighter glass. The total weight reduction is 18kg, which means the Chiron still weighs in at a portly 1977kg.
2 CHASSIS
Further improving the Sport’s dexterity are 10 per cent stiffer dampers in Handling mode, along with a unique map for the electrically assisted steering that aims to add even greater precision. Yet perhaps the most significant addition is a new, electronically controlled rear differential. Featuring active torque vectoring , it can shuffle power across the rear axle for even more agile handling , with Bugatti claiming big gains in the car’s responses through slower corners.
3 PERFORMANCE
On-track improvements were the aim here, with Bugatti claiming the Sport is 5 seconds a lap faster than the standard car around its Nardo test facility. Now, we don’t know what the stock Chiron’s time is, or the length of the lap, but 5 seconds is a decent chunk of time and hints at a far sharper driving experience. The Chiron’s other performance figures are unchanged, but with 0-62mph in under 2.5sec and a top speed limited to 261mph, it’s hardly lacking in get up and go.
DRIVE-MY COMMENT
Essentially the Chiron Sport is the answer to a question nobody asked. The fact is that few, if any, potential Chiron owners will ever consider taking their car on track – it’s just not that sort of machine. And even if they did, the standard car’s performance is so awe-inspiring and its limits so high that shaving seconds from its ultimate lap time is largely an irrelevant exercise. The Sport may be a fractionally more engaging track-day machine, but – call us cynical – the real the reason for its existance is to lure extremely wealthy buyers looking to fill a spot in their collection of appreciating four-wheeled assets. Still, if you had a spare £2. 36million burning a hole in your pocket, you would, wouldn’t you?
TECHNICAL DATA FILE SPECIFICATIONS 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport
Engine W16, 7993cc, quad-turbo
Max Power 1479bhp @ 6700rpm / DIN
Max Torque 1180lb ft @ 2000 – 6000rpm / DIN
Weight 1977kg
Power-to-weight 760bhp/ton
0-62mph <2. 5sec (claimed)
Top speed 261mph (limited)
Basic price £2. 36million (est)
On sale Late 2018
