Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron stats comparison

The Bugatti Chiron – revealed at the 2016 Geneva motor show – is the eagerly-anticipated replacement for the Veyron hypercar. The record-breaking Veyron was once the fastest car in the world, and the ease with which it delivered its performance made its figures all the more staggering.

Considering its predecessor was one of the greatest automotive superlatives ever constructed, the Chiron has plenty to live up to. We pour over the details to see how the new model compares to the legendary Veyron.

If you’re after something really, really fast, check out our list of the best supercars on sale. Then search for your ideal new model on our new car deals page to see the offers carwow could help you get.

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron styling

The Chiron’s styling is clearly influenced by the Veyron which, in turn, took inspiration from Bugattis of the distant past. The stunning curve that loops around the side window is a clear nod to the two-tone paint finishes of models like the Type 46, while the crease that runs through the centre of the car from front to rear is inspired by the Type 57SC Atlantic of the 1930s. Apart from that, the styling is heavily influenced by aerodynamics – even the headlight recesses funnel cooling air to the ginormous front brakes.

While the car is a 17-year-old design, the Veyron has aged with wonderful grace. Its design is understated and classy, yet the squat proportions, particularly around the rear haunches, hint at the huge power lurking inside. Only time can tell whether the Chiron will look as cool after the same period of time.

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron interior

The Veyron’s cabin could be described as simple yet stunning, but the design of the Chiron appears to be on another level. Beautiful details are everywhere, from the shapely leather seats, to the steering wheel that features a carbon fibre airbag housing – the first of its type on any road car.

The single sweep that graces the the car’s flanks is continued inside. The curve begins at the top of the windscreen, runs backwards between the seats and flows forwards through the centre of the dashboard housing heating and ventilation functions to the base of the window. Ahead of the driver sits a speedometer that runs to 500km/h or 311mph.

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron driving

The Chiron rides on enormous wheels – 20 inches up front and 21 inches at the back. Its monstrous rear tyres measure 355mm in width yet are claimed to be cheaper to replace than the Veyron’s notoriously expensive rubber. These huge wheels, combined with a four-wheel drive system, will be essential to reigning in the performance on offer…

The Veyron housed its occupants in a carbon fibre ‘tub’ – a motorsport-derived chassis design which endowed it with incredible strength. This was not only beneficial to safety, but to ride and handling, too because it made the suspension work more efficiently. The Chiron features a tub which is very similar in principle, but the new design is stronger still – Bugatti says the Chiron’s chassis is as rigid as those found on Le Mans race cars.

The way the Chiron stops is equally impressive. Thanks to huge carbon-ceramic brake discs, its 1,995kg mass can be hauled from 62mph to rest in just 31.3 metres. For reference, the highway code states a stop from 60mph (excluding reaction times) would normally need 55 metres…

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron engine

The Chiron’s engine, like the Veyron, is an 8.0-litre, quad-turbo W16. That isn’t to say it’s the same, though – far from it. Among the revisions are larger and more efficient turbos, a lighter crankshaft and a new titanium exhaust that helps to expel waste gases even faster. This all helps contribute to a spectacular 1,479hp and 1,180lb ft of torque. A seven-speed dual clutch gearbox featuring the “highest performance clutch fitted to a passenger car” helps transmit all that torque onto the road.

The Chiron’s 0-62mph time, according to Bugatti, stands at less than 2.5 seconds, and top speed has risen to a psychotic 261mph. This second figure is “limited for road travel” – a necessary restriction because the bespoke Michelin tyres would struggle to withstand the extreme forces occurring at such high speeds. Given the huge power increase over the previous Veyron, a derestricted top speed of around 275mph is likely – as long as you can find a straight long enough.

On its release, the Veyron’s stats seemed to be so far ahead of any established supercar that some even suggested it would never be bested. It made 987hp and 922lb ft of torque – enough to smash the 0-62mph run in 2.5 seconds and top out at 253mph. A later Veyron called the Super Sport lifted power to 1184hp and achieved a world record top speed of 268mph. In order to protect the tyres, however, production versions were restricted to ‘just’ 258mph. We expect later Chirons to go even faster than this monumental figure.

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron value for money

The Chiron should be just as rare and even more expensive than the Veyron. Just 500 are set to be made over the next eight years. It’s expected to cost around £1.89 million at current exchange rates. There will be no zero-deposit PCPs to be found here either – you’ll need to stump up at least 200,000 Euros (about £155,000) just to get your name on the waiting list. Suffice to say, if you have to ask how much it is, you can’t afford it.

Since its launch in 2005, Bugatti produced approximately 450 Veyrons. Back then it was priced at around £840,000. Used examples today rarely cost less than £1,000,000 and are likely to keep appreciating over time.

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron verdict

The Bugatti Veyron was considered an engineering marvel on its release – a technological showcase that showed just what was capable with an almost limitless budget.

The Chiron looks set to achieve the same hallowed status but with the benefit of 11 years of progress to create a car that’s even more staggering than its predecessor.

Save money on your next car

If you’re looking for the fastest way to get from A to B, head over to our list of the best supercars on sale. Then find out how much carwow could help you save over at our new car deals page.