What is this?
You can recognize the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport by its slightly modified nose, its larger air intakes, its imposing splitter and its air outlets on the redesigned front fenders. And if the difference with the other versions of the Bugatti Chiron isn’t obvious, just take a look at the fixed 1.90 meter wide rear wing, whose carbon struts together with the almost intimidating diffuser form an aggressive-looking X. And to the exhaust made of titanium, which ends centrally in the diffuser.
Finally, there are also the magnesium rims specially developed for the Pur Sport with their optional ‘aero blades’, which create a vortex that better evacuates the heat generated during braking. Rims that each weigh 4 kilograms less than the aluminum ones, which saves a good drink in unsprung weight. In other words, the Bugatti name, spread almost wing-wide over the carbon fiber, is unnecessary.
With the Pur Sport, Bugatti wants to underline another aspect of the Chiron. Away from the pursuit of the highest top speed, onto the battlefield for the fastest lap time. What is most striking here is that the top speed has been reduced to 350 km/h. Among other things, to give priority to accelerations.
There is little difference in the technical data. The 8-litre W16 remains strong at 1,500 hp and 1,600 Nm, but its top power is now somewhere between 6,700 and 6,900 rpm (previously 6,700 rpm). A strong example of the better adjustment work to make the engine and gearbox interact perfectly. It is exactly that box that has been completely disassembled in order to ultimately be able to write down even more impressive acceleration figures with 15% shorter gear ratios on all seven gears.
For example, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.3 seconds, instead of 2.4 seconds. The 0 to 200 km/h he does with 5.9 seconds two tenths better than before. Even more impressive are the differences in the revivals. To pull from 60 to 120 km/h in sixth gear, the Pur Sport needs no less than three seconds less than the ‘normal’ Chiron in 4.4 seconds.
What is changing?
Flexibility has always been the strength of Bugatti engines. For the Pur Sport, however, most of the attention went to the chassis. The front and rear springs have been stiffened by 65 and 33% respectively, and the carbon stabilizers have also been modified. The connection of the suspension to the chassis has also become more rigid, with bushings being 130 and 77% stiffer at the front and rear, respectively. And by setting the camber 2.5 degrees more negative, the difference in driving behavior was further emphasized.
Typical for the Pur Sport is that the ESP is set to intervene just a little later. Not only does that give the driver the chance to tear through the bend a little more wildly, it also improves the feeling. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t feel a little bit of healthy stress beforehand. After all, we don’t drive a 1,500 horsepower car every day. But the nerves disappear after a few first meters. This Chiron Pur Sport is so easy and docile to drive. Extremely Impressive, but not exactly terrifying.
It goes fast. Very quick. Lightning fast. For a moment you think that the four wheels individually look for grip. And strangely enough, that’s just the reassurance we need. The feeling of contact with the car, which sends all its movements almost unfiltered through hands and buttocks to the brain. The same experience is with braking. Even with an improvised emergency stop, where you can override the ABS thanks to the perfectly adjustable pedal.
Conclusion
So we have not gone to the limit. Which is also not possible on the public road. But far enough to finally understand what Bugatti is all about. And that is nothing short of perfection. Yes, we are impressed by this more than unique sports car. Very deeply impressed in fact. During the (obviously) far too short test drive, our prejudices towards this almost two-ton hyper sports car burst like soap bubbles one by one. The only thing that remained is the idea that a base price of 3.1 million euros without taxes is an indecent amount of money.
#Review #Bugatti #Chiron #Pur #Sport #Test #AutoWorld
