Bugatti Chiron spied testing sans camouflage for the first time

Having almost single-handedly created the term ‘hypercar,’ the almighty Bugatti Veyron is on its way out, after almost a decade of redefining our very concept of speed. The top speed game has moved on a fair bit since then, and its successor, the Chiron, has got its work cut out for it. Bugatti showed us what its upcoming car might look like when it unveiled the Vision Gran Turismo concept for the Sony PlayStation game Gran Turismo 6 a few months back, and now we have the first spy images confirming that the Chiron will indeed borrow design cues from the concept. 

Snapped while out testing on public roads in Lavis, Italy, the Chiron looks substantially slimmed down and sleeker compared to its predecessor. Although no front end shots were snapped, it is clear that the open rear-end design, central exhaust outlets and a circular side-blade treatment, are all carried over from the Vision Gran Turismo concept. The side profile is dominated by the same elliptical crease we first saw featured on the Vision GT concept with the much cleaner roof line leading a new rear end, also similar to that of the brand’s latest design study.

As for that monstrous engine underneath, the centrepiece of every Bugatti, expect a hopped-up version of the Veyron's quad-turbocharged W16. Thanks to the addition of direct-injection and electric turbos, the Chiron should produce 1,500 horsepower and 1,500 of torque. Sending power to all-four wheels, the Chiron will be capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in about 2 seconds. Top speed is rumoured at a not-too-shabby 463 km/h.

The Bugatti Chiron is expected to show up in March 2016 at the Geneva Motor Show and it is believed only 500 units will be made, with each carrying an eye-watering starting price of $2.2 million which will make it around $1 million more expensive than its predecessor. Still, despite that exorbitant price tag, we don’t think Bugatti will be having any problems selling these machines. 

Images: Magazin ProDriver CZ