Bugatti Bolide: The Latest Hypercar Concept Revealed

Bolide translates to “fireball” or “flaming meteor” in French and the latest revelation by Bugatti is just that! The Bugatti Bolide is a track-oriented hyper sports car that if reached the production line would bring about major shifts in the automobile industry. It could even make the Bugatti Chiron look outdated!

Photo Credit: Bugatti

Unveiled at the Bugatti headquarters in Molsheim, Alsace, France‎ on October 28, 2020. This hypercar is built around an eight-litre W16 gasoline engine with four turbochargers, a seven-speed electronically controlled dual-clutch multiple-shaft automatic gearbox (DSG), and permanent all-wheel drive. The major highlight, however, is the astounding weight-to-power ratio of 0.67 kg per PS and 1,364 lb-ft with a weight of just 1,240 kilograms.

Photo Credit: Bugatti

Bolide will be capable of maximum lateral acceleration of 2.8 G. Zero-100 kph runs will burn off in 2.17 seconds on the way to a top speed of over 500 kph in 20.16 seconds. The roof intake scoop of the Bolide is capable of morphing in response to vehicle speed, creating a field of bubbles at fast speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and lift forces and remains smooth at slow speeds. Bugatti has ensured the minimum body structure that would be required to qualify for FIA safety standards, with the height of only 995 millimetres – an intentional measure to match the tyres.

Photo Credit: Bugatti

Bugatti has designed newly developed de-throttling intake and exhaust system, four turbochargers with optimised blades, hybrid carbon titanium turbofan radial compressors to aid the speed. Instead of water-to-air inter-cooling, the Bugatti Bolide has air-to-air inter-cooling with water pre-cooling for optimal performance on the racetrack. Three air-cooled oil coolers for engine, transmission, and differential with water pre-cooling reduce the temperature even on dynamically demanding speeds.

Photo Credit: Bugatti

The Bugatti Bolide is a masterpiece of automobiles emphasis on light-weight materials and weight-saving production processes. The car body is carbon-monocoque with every screw and fastening elements of the car made completely out of titanium, aerospace titanium alloy hollow, thin-walled functional components are used in many places that can withstand a continuous operating temperature of up to 260 degrees Celsius. The thin-walled components are manufactured using manufactured through 3D printing while others use ultra-stiff carbon fibres. Bolide uses coated ceramic disc racing brakes with callipers weigh only 2.4 kilograms each, while the front and rear wheels are extremely light-weight forged magnesium.
According to the company, “Whether the Bugatti Bolide will go into series production, has not been decided yet.”