2021 Bugatti Chiron

Overview

As the follow-up to the legendary Veyron, the 2021 Chiron takes the brand's heritage and its predecessor's performance and melds them together into one stunning—and stunningly capable—machine. The Chiron's nearly $3 million price tag matches its extreme persona, but even for that kind of money it's almost a performance bargain. It's powered by a massive 16-cylinder engine that is a marvel of modern engineering, capable of propelling this hypercar to 300 mph and beyond. Besides performance that can alter time, the Chiron looks like nothing else on the road—save for maybe a Veyron—and its interior is lined with fine materials worthy of its price tag. No, this beauty doesn't offer Apple CarPlay or a semi-autonomous driving mode but really, who cares? The Chiron is simply not weighed down by the same practical expectations and requirements as something as plebian as a Lamborghini or a McLaren—which allows it to be all of autodom's halo car.

What's New for 2021?

Bugatti has added the Pur Sport model to the Chiron lineup for 2021. This handling-focused trim will set buyers back a whopping $3.6-million but it boasts suspension upgrades, a 110-pound lower curb weight, and rear spoiler that generates extra downforce. The Pur Sport is a limited-edition model and only 60 will be built.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

People who choose cars such as the Chiron do so because they want a vehicle that makes a jaw-dropping impact on the boulevard or at the valet stand—or in front of the Casino in Monte Carlo. With its swooping lines and famously stratospheric price, the base Chiron certainly fits the bill. We think this model has what it takes to put a smile on the face of even the most discerning hypercar buyer. The Chiron comes standard with amenities such as quad LED headlights and full power accessories.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

All Chiron models are motivated by an 8.0-liter 16-cylinder powerplant. This beast of an engine employs four turbochargers to generate a mighty 1500 horsepower and 1180 lb-ft of torque. Bugatti claims that the Chiron makes the dash from zero to 60 mph in a mere 2.3 seconds, and it has a top speed of 261 mph. If the Chiron's standard engine doesn't quench your thirst for speed, step up to the Chiron Super Sport 300+. This model is equipped with a slightly more potent version of the base powerplant, and it produces 1578 horsepower. Piloted by factory test driver Andy Wallace, a model with specs almost identical to those of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ logged a record-setting 304.773 mph test-track run. With every model in the Chiron lineup, power is sent to all four wheels by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

As one would expect from a car with a 1500-hp engine, the Chiron won't win any points for being eco-friendly. According to the EPA, the 2021 Chiron achieves mileage (we hesitate to use the words "fuel economy") of up to 9 mpg city and 14 mpg highway. The Pur Sport sees both figures drop by 1 mpg. We haven't run the Chiron on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, so we can't evaluate its real-world mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Chiron's exterior features a C-shaped design cue carved into its side panels, and this element is also present within the car's cabin. It's reflected in the graceful curve of a partition that separates driver and passenger. Bugatti has dressed the Chiron's cabin in top-of-the-line materials, and the interior bears space-age styling elements that add whimsical charm. A flat-bottomed steering wheel greets the driver, and Bugatti claims the glossy center console is made from a single piece of solid aluminum. With the Chiron, it's best to pack light. The trunk provides just two cubic feet of cargo space.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The Chiron's singular focus on performance brings with it compromises on the infotainment front. This Bugatti functions much like a race car, and it has the stripped-down tech content to match. There's no infotainment screen, and features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability aren't offered. The car's infotainment amenities are pretty much limited to a sound system and a trip computer. On the plus side, the sound system delivers impeccable sound quality, and it features four tweeters that each utilize a one-carat diamond membrane for precision output. That's what you'd expect from a car with a price that starts in the millions.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2021 Bugatti Chiron hasn't been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It's not offered with commonly available driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Bugatti offers a four year warranty on all Chiron models and covers maintenance for the vehicle over the same time period.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance for 4 years