The Bolide, a testament to engineering excellence, stands at the pinnacle of track-oriented performance. Born from Bugatti’s extensive automotive and motorsport lineage, the track-only hyper sports car exemplifies the spirit of the extreme and pushes the limits of what’s possible on the racetrack.
Designed with precision and purpose,
the Bolide represents a departure from the norm, a shift towards a
completely different realm of driving that Bugatti had not yet explored
in its modern-day history. Not just focused on speed, each and every
aspect is finely tuned for circuit dominance.
Yet, the Bolide
isn’t just about blistering lap times, it is also about accessibility.
Despite its extraordinary performance capabilities, the Bolide remains
approachable - even for those without race experience. In the pursuit of
perfection, Bugatti’s engineers have crafted a track-only hyper sports
car that invites drivers to explore their limits.
To achieve
this, Bugatti lent on state-of-the-art technology, its unrivalled
motorsport heritage and direction from Bugatti Pilote Officiel and
legendary Triple Crown winner, Andy Wallace. His input, garnered from
years of racing at the highest levels as well as involvement with the
Molsheim brand since 2011, proved invaluable to Bugatti’s engineering
team as they refined the Bolide’s aerodynamics, drivetrain, and handling
characteristics.
Key to the Bolide’s behavior on track are
several technologies deployed for the first time in a Bugatti vehicle as
well as technologies that are usually not available in a track car,
like ABS and ESP. Built as closely as possible around the brand’s
legendary 1,600 PS 8.0-liter W16 turbocharged engine, the Bolide
features an ultra-lightweight advanced monocoque of the highest quality
carbon fiber composite. Developed in collaboration with Dallara, this
innovative structure is designed to the same demanding Fédération
Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) LMH and LMDh requirements as Le
Mans race cars.
An entirely new seating position for Bugatti -
one that is reclined into the rear of the car ensuring that the heels of
the driver sit slightly raised and the passenger is optimally angled
towards the nose of the Bolide - also mirrors design from some of the
world’s most extreme race cars. This imparts unwavering confidence on
the asphalt.
This confidence also fed into in part by the unique
Brembo braking system in the Bolide. The result of two years of
demanding evaluation, the carbon-carbon brakes offer stopping power that
is on par with the technology that goes into both LMh/LMDh and F1
machinery. Guaranteeing that the Bolide stands unrivalled on every part
of the track.
Extensive simulation and testing on some of the
world’s most revered racetracks allowed Bugatti to elevate the
performance further, tuning the Bolide’s aerodynamic traits in a way
that is usually only associated with top level motorsport. The resultant
downforce it generates, in combination with all-wheel drive with
electronically controlled differentials and high-performance Michelin
Pilot Sport slick tires, means that the Bolide delivers unmatched levels
of traction and grip on the track.
The considerable effort put into the Bolide development program paid off. Boasting a top speed of 380 km/h in low-downforce configuration, the Bugatti track-only hyper sports car demonstrates aptitude on the straights exceeding that of F1, where the all-time speed record hit close to 373 km/h. For the Bolide, the only boundary is finding at straight long enough to reach 380 km/h, with straights on FIA approved tracks unable to exceed 2 km in length, with only a handful exceptions worldwide. Despite the impressive top speed, elasticity is where the Bolide truly shines.
However,
given that track performance is not defined by top speed, engineering
focus from Bugatti prioritized cornering, traction, and braking over
outright top speed, ensuring it perfectly suited to circuit driving. The
Bolide can navigate through corners with complete precision. Its
advanced aerodynamics working to generate up to three tons of downforce,
and its wide track and low center of gravity creating exceptional grip
capabilities with lateral forces peaking at 2.5 G. In essence, the
Bolide is a master in the art of the track.
As Bugatti’s most
extreme creation to date, the Bolide represents a bold new approach to
hyper sports car for the marque. All aspects of the car have been
designed, developed, and tested to produce the greatest possible track
performance whilst guaranteeing the pilot an incomparable experience. In
true Bugatti fashion, the Bolide’s interior exudes quality. Air
conditioning, power steering and ergonomically designed seats make sure
that every lap is just as comfortable as it is memorable.
With
the test phase of the Bugatti Bolide officially concluded, the Molsheim
team has now shifted focus to series production. Delivery of the first
customer car is expected to take place in just a few months.
