A scene in Frankfurt recently went viral when a $3 million Bugatti Chiron was seen being towed by a humble Volkswagen van, sparking confusion and a flurry of questions. The luxury hypercar, a stunning example of automotive engineering, appeared to be inoperable, with no registration plates and being hauled down the streets, causing onlookers to wonder why the owner wouldn’t opt for a more fitting mode of transportation.
However, the situation was not what it seemed. The Chiron was not broken; rather, it was likely being moved from the Klassikstadt yard, a renowned car museum and storage space in the city that houses some of the world’s rarest cars. The Bugatti was either at the museum for a car meet or perhaps delivered to its new owner. According to German law, vehicles without registration plates cannot drive on public roads, but they can be towed legally without the need for a driver’s license or a valid registration. Some even speculated in social media comments that the Chiron might have been a mule, lacking a powertrain altogether.
The Chiron, which starts at around $3.3 million, is known for its mind-boggling performance, thanks to its 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine that produces up to 1,578 horsepower in its Super Sport versions. The car is capable of reaching 0 to 62 mph in just 2.4 seconds, and while its top speed could surpass the 261 mph mark, the towing vehicle’s top speed was far more modest.
The sight of the Chiron being towed by a Volkswagen van has not only ignited amusement online but also sparked humor-filled comments about the supposed “reliability” of the two vehicles, with one user joking, “Volkswagens have always been more reliable than Bugattis.”
Elizabeth Puckett