To the casual observer, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport and the Chiron Super Sport 300+ may appear to be largely the same: two high-speed missiles from the French automaker that would give any Lamborghini a fright. But to Bugatti, these are two very different machines designed with unique end goals, and to give us some more insight, designer Frank Heyl expanded on what makes each exotic so special.
In a nutshell, the Chiron Pur Sport has been designed to be the most agile and athletic Bugatti yet, whereas the Chiron Super Sport 300+, which accomplished a record top speed in excess of the magic 300-mph mark last year, is more about straight-line speed. To create these two distinct cars, the engineering and design teams had to work closely together.
Last month, Bugatti locked in the final chassis settings for the Chiron Pur Sport at the Nurburgring. Despite being able to reach a top speed of around 218 mph thanks to its 1,479-horsepower 8.0-liter W16 quad-turbo engine, that's some way off the Super Sport 300+. Here, the goal was enhanced lateral acceleration but also a sporty appearance. "The color separation of the paint finish on the upper half and black exposed carbon on the lower half makes the Chiron Pur Sport appear flatter and wider," said Heyl.
Contributing to a 110-pound weight reduction are lightweight exhaust tailpipes fashioned from 3D-printed titanium. "3D printing frees us from the limitations of shapes and radii," explains Heyl. This also helped to reduce the weight behind the rear axle to achieve an ideal weight distribution. Also at the back, the 74.8-inch-wide rear wing and a long diffuser help to achieve maximum downforce.
The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is a different beast. "It was clear to us from the start that we needed to greatly reduce wind resistance. A vehicle that can go over 300 mph has to be extremely streamlined," says Heyl. This is why the 300+ has an extended rear - or longtail - which has an additional 9.8 inches at the back. Special front air curtains and a rear wing that stays retracted at top speed are just two of a multitude of modifications. At the back, the exhausts have been moved to the side to make more space for the diffuser, which optimizes airflow. The use of orange on the hood, roof, and rear is a nod to record-breaking Bugattis like the Veyron Super Sport World Record Edition.
If you happen to spot a Chiron Super Sport 300+ on the road, count yourself lucky. A mere 30 examples will be produced at a cost of 3.5 million euros each (over $4 million at current exchange rates). The Chiron Pur Sport will go for $3,599,000 in the US including duty and transportation costs.