This is it then. An end of an era. The fastest car in the world. The fastest car to do 0-249-0 mph (400 km/h) in 42 seconds is finally saying goodbye to us.
I know, I know, there have been SO MANY special editions of the Bugatti Chiron that we’ve lost count. But this is THE final Chiron: L'Ultime, named after Monégasque driver Louis Chiron. This special Chiron will be hand-built in the French marque’s Molsheim factory.
A Work of Art
The paintwork is a blend of darker French Racing Blue and lighter Atlantic Blue in the back. The whole body has handwritten names of events and places that have been significant in the Chiron's life. Some of the places are: Geneva where the car made its debut, Ehra-Lessien where it broke the 300mph speed record and Molsheim. Places that most readers won’t know about but are also mentioned on the L'Ultime are Chateau Saint Jean and Cape Canaveral. Customers reached the Chiron’s nerve tingling top speed there.
"500" can be seen in numerous places all around the car. The side mirrors proudly sport the French flag.
The Last Dance of the W16
This final Chiron is based on the Super Sport model meaning the quad turbo, 8.0-litre W16 packs 1,578 horsepower and 1,160 pound-feet of torque.
Step inside and you will be greeted by what Bugatti calls “carbon fibre symphony”. Hand-cut and hand-stitched Deep Blue leather and Blue Carbon beautify the interior.
“With this bespoke work of art, we have retraced the Chiron’s majestic eight-year journey with unforgettable moments that have taken place throughout the world, creating legions of fans for the Chiron, not to mention its countless industry-first breakthroughs and unique world-first achievements,” said Bugatti president Christophe Piochon.
He further added: “This 500th and final Chiron model is a fitting farewell that captures a defining legacy that will forever be etched in automotive history and paves the way to a bright new chapter, starting with the production of the Bolide and the W16 Mistral and continuing with the unveiling of our new model in June.”
Bugatti has remained coy regarding who the final customer is. While the production of the Chiron is now complete, the French carmaker is still working on producing the Mistral roadster (99 units) and the track-only Bolide (40 units).
A New Chapter Begins
Bugatti has confirmed that a naturally aspirated V16 engine will replace the outgoing W16. That wasn’t a type, a nat-asp V-SIXTEEN will be the new star of the show art Molsheim, set to debut in June. Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac revealed initial details of the engine which is 39.3 inches long. Later in its life cycle, the engine is said to be hybridized but for now, let’s say goodbye to W16 and welcome a naturally-aspirated V16. Life’s good!
