[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/supercars\/bugatti-chiron-what-the-critics-think\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/supercars\/bugatti-chiron-what-the-critics-think\/","headline":"Bugatti Chiron: what the critics think","name":"Bugatti Chiron: what the critics think","description":"It\u2019s been just over a year since the Bugatti Chiron was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2016. Since then, the motoring world has been eager to know whether this \u00a32.1 million, 1,479bhp monster could top the over-worldly Veyron. The aim with the Chiron was straightforward: to be better than the Veyron. Cost was virtually irrelevant, the mission was simply to create the ultimate hypercar. Again. Finally, the first reviews are in, and yep, the word is […]","datePublished":"2017-04-04","dateModified":"2017-04-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Bugatti-Chiron-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Bugatti-Chiron-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/supercars\/bugatti-chiron-what-the-critics-think\/","about":["SUPERCARS"],"wordCount":665,"keywords":["Bugatti","Bugatti Chiron","Bugatti Veyron","geneva motor show","hypercar","top gear"],"articleBody":"It\u2019s been just over a year since the Bugatti Chiron was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2016. Since then, the motoring world has been eager to know whether this \u00a32.1 million, 1,479bhp monster could top the over-worldly Veyron.The aim with the Chiron was straightforward: to be better than the Veyron. Cost was virtually irrelevant, the mission was simply to create the ultimate hypercar. Again.Finally, the first reviews are in, and yep, the word is good, but first, some numbers.While we\u2019ve told you the cost and power output, it can also sprint up to 60mph from a standstill in 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of 261mph – although the speedo actually goes up to 500km\/h (310mph).The Chiron\u2019s W12 eight-litre engine is fed by a quartet of turbos and linked to a comparatively modest seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.The phrase \u2018fuel economy\u2019 probably isn\u2019t even in the language of anyone who can afford a two-million pound car, but just so you know, on a combined cycle of motorway and inner-city driving, it can return 12.6mpg, emitting 516g\/km of CO2.Only 500 Chirons will ever be built and deposits have already been placed for half of those.\u2018Absolutely mindbending\u2019Top Gear\u2019s Chris Harris has no doubt that Bugatti has succeeded in its aim of bettering the Veyron.After getting giddy at the \u201cabsolutely mindbending\u201d pace of the Chiron, reaching 236mph during his drive, Harris commented how the car has \u201cmore personality than the Veyron, which was a car that you admired and respected. This is more a rounded car. You can take it down your favourite road and enjoy driving it, [while] the Veyron was more fast in a straight line for me\u201d.Despite it being \u201cmore unruly than expected\u201d, Harris added that one of the Chiron\u2019s finer points is how it was developed to essentially live at high speed.\u201cIt was designed to go beyond 200mph repeatedly,\u201d he beams. \u201cTo do that, the way Bugatti has de-risked stuff, everything from tyre performance to the wheel steering dynamics to the cabin, it\u2019s taken a huge amount of time and resources.\u201d\u2018Dramatic\u2019 Auto Express (AE) were won over too, awarding it all five stars. They spoke of the Chiron\u2019s ability to \u2018stop you dead in your tracks\u2019, with its eight headlights creating a \u2018sinister frown, while the bold sweeping graphic along each flank is an unmistakable design signature\u2019.Inside, the Chiron\u2019s cockpit design is \u2018equally dramatic\u2019, with \u2018a curving partition that sweeps back to form an unbroken arc from headlining to centre console\u2019.There\u2019s no disputing the Chiron\u2019s pace, but how does it handle?AE kind of agree with Harris that the Veyron was \u2018never an especially engaging car to drive\u2019 and hailed the Chiron as \u2018significantly more tactile, especially through the steering\u2019.What Car? wrote that steering is at its most pleasing in normal mode, with good weighting, pleasant self-centering and a natural, easy feel.Meanwhile, the guys at Evo highlight Bugatti\u2019s realisation that the Chiron had to inject more feeling and emotion this time, something that is immediately addressed.They wrote: \u2018Pretty much straight away you sense the connection and detail through the steering.\u2018Of course, there\u2019s tons of grip and unshakable traction – anything less would be extremely negligent given the power and torque on-tap – but it\u2019s the fact you now know how much you\u2019re using and how much is left that marks the Chiron out as something special.\u2019SummaryWe\u2019ve yet to read anything less than glowing about the Chiron in the motoring press thus far.It\u2019s easy to be overwhelmed by the bloated numbers, but by all accounts, Bugatti has combined those figures to form a passionate and rewarding machine.There\u2019s already speculation that an almost inevitable Super Sport variant could reach a speed that begins with a three, so don\u2019t go thinking this is the whole story just yet\u2026"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Supercars","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/supercars\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Bugatti Chiron: what the critics think","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/supercars\/bugatti-chiron-what-the-critics-think\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]