Bugatti Bolide: An Exclusive Track Weapon for the Few
The Bugatti Chiron has spawned a range of incredible models, including the Sport, Pur Sport, Vision Gran Turismo, Centodieci, Divo, Super Sport 300+, and La Voiture Noire. Each one has its own unique identity. But the Bolide is totally a different league. It’s an insane machine, built for the track, and it’s unlike anything Bugatti has ever made. They first teased it on October 28, 2020. That was just online, though, and they didn’t say whether it’d actually go into production. Oh, and the name? “Le bolide” means “the racing car” in French. Simple, yet fitting.
Production and Public Debut
Things moved quickly after that. Bugatti revealed a production version in August 2021. Then, a couple of years later, it made a jaw-dropping public debut. That was at Le Mans, during the 24 Hours event celebrating its 100th anniversary in June 2023. It didn’t compete—just did a demo lap before the race. Still, watching it scream around the Circuit de la Sarthe was unreal. Andy Wheeler, who took the wheel, won Le Mans in 1988. Quite the guy to show off such a rare car.
Raw Performance
Talking about the Bolide’s specs feels like recounting the stats of a superhero. At its heart lies Bugatti’s iconic 8.0-liter W16 engine, the same monster found in models like the Centodieci and Super Sport 300+. But there’s a twist. Running on 110-octane racing fuel, this beast churns out an insane 1,825 horsepower and 1,850 Nm of torque. New quad turbochargers? Check. Mind-boggling RPMs? Double-check.
Despite all that power, the Bolide weighs only 1,240 kilograms. That’s barely more than your average small European hatchback. The result? A weight-to-power ratio of 0.67 kg per horsepower. Crazy, right? It gets better. Yes, of course with Bugatti bolide 0-60. This sports car rockets from 0 to 60 mph in 2.10 seconds. Blink, and you’ve missed it hitting 124 mph in 4.36 seconds. These numbers weren’t achieved with real-world tests but through simulations. Still, they give a pretty accurate idea of the Bolide’s capabilities.
The theoretical speed stats continue to amaze me. Bugatti estimates 0-186 mph (300 km/h) in just 7.37 seconds and 0-249 mph (400 km/h) in 12.08 seconds. They even claim the Bolide could hit 311 mph (500 km/h) in 20.16 seconds. Bugatti Bolide top speed? Over 311 mph, at least according to their projections. On the Nürburgring, it’s said to lap in 5 minutes and 23.1 seconds. However, these numbers remain in the theoretical realm.
A Production Model Tamed… Slightly
While the concept Bolide promised 1,825 horsepower with a top speed exceeding 300 mph, the production version is slightly dialed back. Customers get 236 mph as the official top speed. Bugatti likes to compare this to the F1 record of 231 mph—faster than Formula 1, but let’s be honest, speed is just one part of racing. Handling matters just as much, and the Bolide delivers.
Also read: Fastest cars in the world
The Alien-Like Design
The Bolide’s design feels like it came from the imagination of someone who grew up watching futuristic cartoons. It’s otherworldly. At first glance, it’s hard to believe this machine was designed for our world and not for an interstellar race. The car features a “morphable outer skin” on its roof scoop, allowing it to optimize airflow dynamically. At low speeds, the scoop stays smooth. Push the accelerator hard, and “bubbles” appear to improve aerodynamics. It’s details like this that make the Bolide so expensive.
Its height is another standout feature. At just 995 millimeters tall, it’s astonishingly low—about 300 mm shorter than the Chiron. The X-shaped lights both at the front and rear give it a look straight out of a science fiction epic. In-person, spy photos reveal, the effect is even more dramatic.
Engineering Marvels and Safety First
Christian Willmann, Bugatti’s Chief Engineer for the Bolide, described how the team approached this car with an absolute focus on performance and safety. They rethought everything, from the monocoque design to the carbon materials, aiming for the highest possible strength-to-weight ratio. The safety tests themselves were brutal, including FIA-mandated rollover tests applying up to 12 tons of force on the car’s structure. The Bolide didn’t just pass; it shattered expectations.
Beyond structural integrity, the car features a high-tech fire extinguisher system, 3D-printed aluminum brackets for the doors, and seats designed to GT3 regulations. Everything about the Bolide is meant to keep the driver and passenger safe while delivering an unmatched racing experience.
How much is a Bugatti Bolide Price?
At €4 million per unit (about $4.7 million before taxes), the Bolide is anything but cheap. How many of such Bugatti’s will come out of production lines? Only 40 units will ever be made. For that price, Bugatti offers “free” track days and top-tier racing safety gear. Compared to the Centodieci or La Voiture Noire, the Bolide is a relative bargain—but it’s still out of reach for almost everyone.
The customer deliveries started recently after Bugatti had completed the testing phases.
Can’t Afford It? Try Lego
For most of us, owning a Bolide will remain a dream, since it is one of the most expensive models from Mosheim. However, there’s always the Lego Bugatti Bolide Technic set. Retailing for $49.99, it’s one of the cheapest Bugatti cars – a small taste of the real thing. Complete with scissor doors, a detailed engine, and aerodynamic features, it’s a fun tribute to the ultimate hypercar. Containing 905 pieces, the finished model is over 3 inches (8 cm) high, 12 inches (31 cm) long, and 5 inches (13 cm) wide. A distinctive yellow and black color scheme with sticker details replicates the Bolide’s aggressive styling.
Also read: Who owns Bugatti
If that’s again out of your reach, you can get the hot wheels Bugatti Bolide at retail stores.
The Bolide is more than a car—it’s a testament to what human ingenuity can achieve when performance has no limits. From its breathtaking speed to its avant-garde design, it represents the pinnacle of Bugatti’s innovation. A machine of dreams, indeed.
Veyron vs Chiron Vs Bolide
The Veyron, Chiron, and Bolide share some similarities and differences. The table below shows how the old Bugatti Veyron competes with the Chiron and the Bolide, even after 20 years of its introduction.
Feature | Bugatti Veyron | Bugatti Chiron | Bugatti Bolide |
Engine | 8.0L Quad-Turbo W16 | 8.0L Quad-Turbo W16 | 8.0L Quad-Turbo W16 |
Horsepower | 1001 hp (base) – 1200 hp (Super Sport) | 1500 hp (base) – 1577 hp (Super Sport 300+) | 1825 hp (110-octane racing fuel) |
Torque | 922 lb-ft | 1180 lb-ft | 1850 Nm (1364 lb-ft approx.) |
0-60 mph | ~2.5 seconds | ~2.4 seconds | ~2.17 seconds |
Top Speed | 253 mph (base) – 267.8 mph (Super Sport) | 261 mph (limited) – 304.77 mph (Super Sport 300+) | 236 mph (production) / 311+ mph (theoretical) |
Weight | ~4162 lbs | ~4400 lbs | ~2734 lbs |
Weight-to-Power Ratio | ~4.16 lbs/hp (base) | ~2.93 lbs/hp (base) | ~1.5 lbs/hp |
Transmission | 7-speed DSG | 7-speed DSG | 7-speed DSG |
Drive | AWD | AWD | AWD |
Production Years | 2005-2015 | 2016-2024 | 2024 |
Road Legal? | Yes | Yes | No (Track-only) |
FAQs
Originally, the concept version was said to have 1,826 horsepower and hit over 300 mph. The production model is toned down a bit. Officially, its max speed is 236 mph.
Bugatti planned and built just 40 of them. Every single one was claimed long before deliveries even began. Recently, one lucky owner already brought theirs to a track for some testing right after it was delivered.
The Bolide wasn’t designed for roads—it’s all about the track. Focused on aerodynamics, being super light, and unleashing raw power, it skips over the things cars need for normal street use.
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