The Bugatti Chiron, AKA the Veyron Successor, Will Be a 288-MPH Animal with E-Turbos

Details about the upcoming hypercar are beginning to take shape.

Anyone wanting to buy a Bugatti Veyron, now’s the time. Very soon all of the remaining examples will be gone. But perhaps it’ll be better to wait. Bugatti’s parent company, VW, is currently at work on the Veyron’s successor. And now we have some fresh details about what's expected. Rumored to be named Chiron, Bugatti’s next car will be lighter, more responsive, and better-handling than the Veyron. It’ll be built on an existing carbon fiber architecture, but 92 percent of the parts will be all-new or heavily modified.

In regards the drivetrain, Bugatti has reportedly been examining several options, but appears to have settled on carrying over the 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16. The goal is to boost output from 1,200 to 1,500 horsepower, which will be done via direct fuel injection and – get this – electric turbochargers. These will provide fast-acting torque, likely to peak around 1,000 lb-ft, sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Bugatti expects a top speed of around 288 mph with this setup – some 18 mph faster than the Veyron’s. The Chiron will also come with active air deflectors, carbon ceramic brakes and a huge rear wing that also acts as an air brake.

The interior is said to be very different than the Veyron’s, with added space, improved driving position and visibility, and better ergonomics. There’ll also be three round analog instrument dials. A speedometer will replace the tachometer in the middle of the dash, and it’ll have a 312 mph peak. A 2016 launch is now expected, with the Chiron coming priced at just under $2.5 million.