Bugatti has done it again: new speed record reaching 490.484 km/h

If there is one thing hypercar brands are known for, it is their clear determination to make their creations the fastest in the world. Ever since Bugatti rose from the ashes with the Veyron, it has not rested until it earned the title of fastest production vehicle. However, brands such as Koenigsegg and Pagani decided to make the record difficult for the French marque, which has once again made a strong statement by reaching 490.484 km/h, a speed that catapults both Bugatti and the Chiron to the very top of the automotive sector.

Little by little, supercars are demonstrating feats that were unimaginable just a few years ago, when we considered it impossible for a car to approach 500 km/h. Well, Bugatti has made it a reality thanks to this prototype derived from the Chiron and very close to production, which is why we can assume this capability will soon be available in the road-going version.

The record was set in Germany, which has allowed the French firm to position itself ahead of its main rivals. Let us recall that until now the Bugatti Chiron had a top speed of 420 km/h and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 2.5 seconds, but the brand has decided to go even further.

For the moment, no statements have been made about the mechanical and aerodynamic improvements this prototype has undergone. However, we can see at a glance the presence of a longer and wider body, two essential requirements for nearly reaching 500 km/h. As for the mechanical side, we can expect the 8.0-litre W16 engine to have been retained.

This heart is capable of producing 1,500 CV and 1,600 Nm of torque, but it would not be surprising if the French engineers have improved its performance. This leads us to believe that this prototype was developed not only to reach that speed, but also to anticipate the imminent arrival of a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, as happened in the past.

Whatever the case, Bugatti has only spoken about the limit they have just surpassed, which has expanded the territory for the automotive sector. At the same time, brands such as Koenigsegg and Pagani will have begun sharpening their knives with the aim of delivering a direct response to the French marque, which currently holds the title of the fastest vehicle in the world, but the war is not over yet.