Bugatti Bolide, capable of asking the way for a Formula 1

It has exactly the same height as the historic Bugatti Type 35 of the 1930s but is technologically close relative to a Formula 1, with a weight / power ratio of only 0.67 kg per hp. It is the new Bolide, a track hypercar that - says Frank Goetzke the engineer who after having played a crucial role in the development of the Veyron 16.4 and the Chiron was responsible for Bolide - '' was in terms of technology and organization, one of the most ambitious projects of my career ''. The goal of this latest 'coup de théatre' from the House was to demonstrate the possibility of building an ultra-light vehicle around its iconic 8.0-liter W16 engine. Bugatti amply demonstrates that it has hit the target of a weight of only 1,240 kg with the Bolide, which combined with the 1,850 hp reaches values ​​close to those of Formula 1, while its maximum speed is well above 500 km / h, without compromising handling. and record agility. By way of comparison, the Bugatti Bolide takes 3 minutes and 07 seconds to complete a lap of Le Mans and 5 minutes and 23 seconds to overcome the green hell of the Nordschleife. '' Bugatti represents the continuous search for technological innovations, in line with the values ​​of excellence, courage, dedication of the company brand - said Stephan Winkelmann, president of Bugatti - and it never stops. We are continuously aiming for new and exciting goals and the question we always keep in mind is: what if? We wondered how to make the powerful W16 engine as a technical symbol of the brand in its purest form, with only four wheels, engine, gearbox, steering wheel and, as the only luxury, two seats. Important aspects of our considerations were the development of our iconic engine without limitations in terms of weight / power ratio. These considerations have led to the Bugatti Bolide - concludes Winkelmann - an uncompromising experiment, a thoroughbred that in its brutal exclusivity strikes above all for its high performance, low weight and a driving experience in a completely new dimension. Driving the Bludger is like riding a cannonball. '' To withstand a torque of 1,850 Nm Bugatti designed a transmission for Bolide specifically for track use and optimized this powertrain in particular for higher revs. Among other things, this includes reducing the throttling of the intake and exhaust system to achieve an even faster, more spontaneous and extreme response characteristic. The four newly developed turbochargers are equipped with optimized vanes to increase boost pressure and power at higher engine speeds. At the same time, the weight of the transmission system is also significantly reduced: instead of the water-to-air intercooler, the Bugatti Bolide features an air-to-air intercooler with water pre-cooling for optimal performance on the track. The inflow takes place from the front of the Bolide via an internal and external air duct on each side of the vehicle. The two water coolers, which are arranged in front of the front axle, provide a more efficient radiator system in terms of flow than is customary even in Formula 1. Bolide decelerates with racing brakes equipped with ceramic discs and coatings. The brake calipers weigh only 2.4 kg each. The front wheels in forged magnesium with centralized nut weigh 7.4 kg, while the rear ones weigh 8.4 kg. As in racing cars, a four-piston compressed air jack system facilitates tire replacement. As in an LMP1 racing car, the driver and eventual passenger fold up the hinged front doors at an angle, sit on a threshold of only 70 millimeters wide (as in the historic Type 35) and then place their feet inside. '' With the Bolide - concluded Winkelmann - we present our interpretation of a Bugatti track car of modern times to fans of our brand all over the world and finally we realize their most passionate desires '' but he did not specify whether it will enter production and therefore not even the price range, which is not risky to imagine similar to that of a Formula.