[Jonathan19]

BUGATTI BOLIDE ENTERS NEXT PHASE OF TESTING!

When the Bolide was first revealed as a thought experiment in late 2020, it presented a vision of a lightweight, track-only hyper sports car delivering incomparable performance, built around the iconic W16 engine. That ambitious dream is being transformed into reality, as the Bolide prototype begins its next phase of development testing.

At The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in August 2021, Bugatti announced that the Bolide1 would be developed for a limited production run of just 40 units. Centered on the premise of creating the ultimate track-only Bugatti and set to be the most uncompromising model to ever emerge from Molsheim, it represents an entirely new level of engineering, aerodynamic and technological innovation.

For the Bolide, Bugatti started with the quad-turbo W16 engine, and then built the lightest possible car around it. Its minimal bodywork is designed carefully to leverage maximum downforce, most efficient cooling and exceptional power-to-weight ratio. In its final form, the Bolide is expected to deliver 1,600 PS and a dry weight of only 1,450 kg to better the magical 1:1 ratio.

Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles, said: “The Bolide is treading new ground for Bugatti. Never before has such a powerful engine been paired with an ultra-lightweight design to create a track car that delivers motorsport levels of performance. Almost every component has been analyzed and redesigned to ensure Bolide is as light, capable and reliable as our strict targets require it to be. The next phase of development is a major milestone in the creation of a car that takes Bugatti’s “form follows performance” philosophy to a new level.”

Creating the Bolide is a case of bespoke craftsmanship. Although the engine may be familiar in its layout and capacity, it is integrated into the Bolide in a fully different way. A newly shaped carbon monocoque compared with Chiron2 meant re-engineering many components, including cooling, transmission and suspension, each of which now had to be packaged within the incredibly compact and aerodynamic design of Bolide, with a matter of millimeters to spare. With new engine mountings, the suspension of Bolide’s drive unit is three times stiffer than the Chiron’s. Together with the uniball suspension bearings, the Bolide gives the driver even more precise feedback. The Bolide also uses 3D-printed titanium rockers to help create intricately shaped and lightweight components.

The engine itself is central to the Bolide experience, but subtly adapted for this car’s unique character. It always operates on all four of its turbochargers – perfect for the racetrack where engine revs are consistently high, but also for weight and packaging reasons. The team has tuned the engine to deliver higher revs per minute and successfully paired it to a modified transmission designed to deliver even sharper performance.

The braking system offers entirely new levels of performance and innovation. In the Chiron, the brakes are an effective and long-lasting carbon ceramic system but the Bolide uses even more heat-resistant carbon-carbon brakes. These must be thoroughly warmed before they reach their peak effectiveness so Bugatti engineers designed completely new calipers that would more efficiently generate and absorb heat. With 18-inch tires, 390 mm brake discs were created and a carbon cover placed on each wheel to help protect the rims from the extreme heat generated by the brakes.

Befitting its status as a track car with the performance of a top-level motorsport machine, the Bolide is fitted with slick tires which – at the rear – can only be found on LMDh vehicles racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Thanks to tire manufacturer Michelin’s long-standing partnership with Bugatti, these tires can be used for the Bolide.

First deliveries of the Bolide will commence in 2024, with production limited to just 40 units at a net unit price of four million euros each.

 

[TougeSpirit]

200 hp less and 250 kg heavier...

 

[LRHunter]

Such a cool car, yet at the same time I just don’t really get these ultra expensive, track only Hypercars.

 

[ChrisK1982]

200 hp less and 250 kg heavier...

those numbers were never realistic for a customer usable product ... the Bolide you see here is not the car that was introduced before, but one that is drivable without massive support and also comfortable enough to let normal ppl and not only full time race drivers operate it ... additionally the engine does not need servicing every few hours but is relatively close to the regular Bugatti 16 cylinder unit

 

[TougeSpirit]

those numbers were never realistic for a customer usable product ... the Bolide you see here is not the car that was introduced before, but one that is drivable without massive support and also comfortable enough to let normal ppl and not only full time race drivers operate it ... additionally the engine does not need servicing every few hours but is relatively close to the regular Bugatti 16 cylinder unit

I'm less concerned about the engine (which the original figure was on race gas) versus the weight gain. 250 kg is a massive amount. Gordon Murray would stuff another V12 in that Bugatti

 

[ChrisK1982]

I'm less concerned about the engine (which the original figure was on race gas) versus the weight gain. 250 kg is a massive amount. Gordon Murray would stuff another V12 in that Bugatti

well I have seen the Bolide model before (from the original car) ... if you see it you know thats too extreme for a customer weekend racer - its more like a LMP1 ...

 

[Jonathan19]

 

[ZombiePhysicist]

I respect the design. It's like an LMP. But not my cup of tea. Happy for the happy owners!

 

[iohead]

I respect the design. It's like an LMP. But not my cup of tea. Happy for the happy owners!

It will make 1,600PS (1,850PS on race gas) in a prototype-like chassis with a dry weight of 1,450kg. That makes no sense. It's silly. In fact, it's so silly that the logic wraps around and that's what makes it desirable. If money is no object and showboating on the street is not important, then this is the best rendition of the W16 engine. That's how I see it. I'm told production will start by the end of this year or early next year, so we'll soon find out how good the recipe turned out to be.

 

[invisiblewave]

It will make 1,600PS (1,850PS on race gas) in a prototype-like chassis with a dry weight of 1,450kg. That makes no sense. It's silly. In fact, it's so silly that the logic wraps around and that's what makes it desirable. If money is no object and showboating on the street is not important, then this is the best rendition of the W16 engine. That's how I see it. I'm told production will start by the end of this year or early next year, so we'll soon find out how good the recipe turned out to be.

It makes perfect sense for Manny.

 

[iohead]

It makes perfect sense for Manny.

Sure, but I wouldn't paint all 40 Bolide owners with the same brush.

 

[invisiblewave]

Sure, but I wouldn't paint all 40 Bolide owners with the same brush.

I don't know of any others.

 

[iohead]

I don't know of any others.

OK, but that's not a justification to extrapolate from the only one you know (of). Think of the latter as an aberration.

 

[invisiblewave]

OK, but that's not a justification to extrapolate from the only one you know (of). Think of the latter as an aberration.

So extrapolating from your own post, what does the typical owner look like?

 

[iohead]

So extrapolating from your own post, what does the typical owner look like?

But why do you insist on extrapolating?

In the case of a very limited run of an ultra-extreme track—only car, there is no typical owner. Be it the Bolide (40 units), the Huayra R (30), the Solus GT (25), or the GMA T.50s (25), there are some owners who are buying it as a static display, some might be delusional and will attempt a road “conversion”, but there are several who have the means and the ability to have some proper fun on the track with these cars.

 

[invisiblewave]

But why do you insist on extrapolating?

In the case of a very limited run of an ultra-extreme track—only car, there is no typical owner. Be it the Bolide (40 units), the Huayra R (30), the Solus GT (25), or the GMA T.50s (25), there are some owners who are buying it as a static display, some might be delusional and will attempt a road “conversion”, but there are several who have the means and the ability to have some proper fun on the track with these cars.

None of which takes away from my original point.

 

[Jonathan19]

 

[Iron5]

hot!

 

[Jonathan19]

 

[Chimaera]

I'm really curious how quick around the track these new track only hyper cars actually going to be. Cars like the Bolide, Solus GT, T.50s, RB17 (and the Dallara 777).

Some actual lap times by a professional driver would be great but I doubt we will ever see that.