Or 515 kph.
If you haven’t been living under a rock the past few days you might know that Bugatti published footage showing a top speed run with a longtail Chiron at 304.77 mph (490.48 km/h). Bugatti issued another press release after announcing plans to cease chasing speed records, and explaining why the W16 hypercar did not run in one-direction at Ehra-Lessien.
The Molsheim-based marque has this time explained the longtail Chiron Although he has the ability to go faster, unlocking that extra mph depends on where you are located. Bugatti chose Ehra-Lessien over Bugatti because it is the most safest place in the world for top speed runs. The 21-kilometer track (13-mile) has three lanes and crash barriers. There are also rescue services at the north and south ends. The carriageway is cleaned with special mats before each test.
However, there is one problem. Lower Saxony’s German track is only 50m (164 feet) above sea level. The stretch of highway in Nevada, where the Koenigsegg Agera RS set many records, is 1,036m (3,400ft) higher than the sea level. Bugatti explains that the aerodynamic drag decreases the higher you travel, as air pressure and density decreases the higher you travel.
According to Stefan Ellrott, head of development at Bugatti, the longtail monster could have clocked 25 kph (15.5 miles) faster if it had been tested on Nevada State Road 160. The modified Chiron could have broken the 500-kph barrier with 515 kph (325 mph), or significantly more than the 446.97 Kph (277.87 miles) nearly two years ago.
Bugatti may release a production version, which we believe they will. We hope one owner will bring the car to Nevada to see its true speed. The ideal situation would see the Chiron Super Sport in the hands a professional racing driver who can fully exploit the hypercar’s incredible performance.