Bugatti’s Veyron successor could be a 286-mph hybrid … you’re welcome, polar bears

By Stephen Edelstein Published August 6, 2014

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport — Image used with permission by copyright holder

With production of the Veyron winding down, all eyes are turning to Bugatti’s next model.

While previous reports suggested the legendary marque would turn away from hyperbolic supercars or luxury sedans, but Bugatti appears to have changed its mind.

Recommended Videos

A new report from Autocar claims Bugatti is in fact working on a Veyron successor, and it’s a monster.

This car will reportedly use an updated version of the Veyron’s 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 augmented with some form of hybridization, producing a total of 1,479 horsepower.

The powertrain will be housed in a carbon-fiber monocoque and, as with the current Veyron, it will be mounted in the middle. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive will complete the setup.

The neo-Veyron was reportedly chosen over the 16C Galibier sedan after Bugatti talked to customers, who apparently have a need for speed. However, the company is keeping quiet about the possibility of a new car while order books for the current Veyron remain open.

When it arrives sometime around 2016, the Veyron replacement won’t disappoint those customers. Bugatti reportedly hopes to reclaim the title of world’s fastest production car with a 286 mph top speed.

That makes the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder look like underpowered rental cars, but Bugatti will still have a tough fight.

Depending on your interpretation of the rules, the Hennessey Venom GT is currently the world’s fastest car, with a 270 mph top speed. The Texas tuner is planning an even faster Venom F5 with a target velocity of 290 mph.

If it ever gets built, the SSC Tuatura will also contend for the world’s-fastest-car title, with a 7.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 producing 1,350 hp.

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work

Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Cars

Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?

Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Cars

EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says

ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.