The Bugatti Chiron is already more expensive and rare than you might think. However, there are cars even beyond that, forbidden to regular mortals, such as the insanely powerful and cool Bugatti Bolide.
If you’d like a sample of that billionaire lifestyle, just check out this video of the Bolide arriving at Concours d’Elegance at Villa D’Este, held on the shores of Lake Como, Italy.
This used to be the biggest event of the year for exotics in Europe, and we’re glad it’s making a comeback. It’s just the kind of scenic background you need to sell the “old money” look of certain cars.
The Bolide doesn’t look like “old money” but it could be one of the greatest cars ever made by Bugatti, and that’s because it’s so different from everything before it. Where the Veyron and Chiron were/are heavy and luxurious yet super-fast, the Bolide is an experimental race car, the ultimate lightweight experiment.
Even though the Bolide was first shown in October 2020, Villa d’Este is actually a debut of sorts. Due to high interest, Bugatti announced in 2021 that it would produce no less than 40 cars for customers.
Even though it can’t drive at its full potential and has to be gingerly moved everywhere, we do get to sample the core of the Bolide experience. This beast is powered by a quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16 engine capable of producing 1,824 hp (1,850 PS) and 1,364 lb-ft (1,850 Nm) of torque.
Even more impressive is the weight. As I said, the Chiron is heavy, about the same as a premium German SUV. However, the Bolide is a thoroughbred, weighing only 1,240 kg (2,733 lbs). Granted, that’s the curb weight, but it’s pretty close to the fattest Miata.
The W12 alone weighs about 400 kg or 880 lbs. Imagine if they would have used an LMP1 racing engine or even a regular V8; this could have gone under the metric ton… but it wouldn’t have been a Bugatti.
That has been achieved through an extreme weight loss program, focused purely on achieving the best lap times. Everything, from the chassis to the bodywork is carbon fiber, and several components were 3D-printed out of titanium.
Is it the Bolide fast?
Yes, insanely so. The 0 to 62 mph time of 2.17 seconds doesn’t really tell the whole story. The Bolide’s biggest achievement is reaching 500 kph or 311 mph in 20.16 seconds. Wow, many road-going cars can’t do 200 kph or 124 mph in that time.
Design-wise, the Chiron’s rounded body is gone, replaced by something which resembles an insect’s exoskeleton. Like a real race car, the Bolide has a real, functional front wing, adjustable for downforce or low drag.
Holes in the fenders, hood, roof, and wings allow the air to flow through the bodywork like on an LMP1 race car. The rear is obviously its best view, featuring shotgun-like quad exhaust, a giant wing, and an imposing diffuser. At $5 million a piece, this is frankly a bargain. Too bad it’s not a road car, though.
