Bugatti Bolide: A Track-Only Hypercar That Rivals Formula 1 Performance

Bugatti has declared that the much-anticipated Bolide, a track-only hypercar that resembles the audacious concept introduced four years ago, is now ready to hit the race tracks with the start of customer deliveries. Following extensive testing across various race circuits, Bugatti asserts that the Bolide offers a driving experience comparable to a Formula 1 car, at least in terms of acceleration out of corners.

With a whopping 1,578 horsepower derived from its W-16 engine, the Bolide matches the power output of its road-going siblings like the Chiron but stands out with its significantly lighter frame, weighing in at around 3,200 pounds compared to the Chiron’s 4,300 pounds. This considerable reduction in weight, combined with its powerful engine, gives the Bolide a distinct advantage in power-to-weight ratio, although it still doesn’t quite reach the nimble weights of Formula 1 vehicles.

Andy Wallace, a test driver for Bugatti, praised the Bolide’s performance, emphasizing the extraordinary experience of accelerating from corners. “The feeling when you come out of a corner, press the throttle, and experience that relentless surge of power is incomparable,” Wallace remarked. He suggested that in scenarios of accelerating from 100 km/h to higher speeds, the Bolide could outpace a Formula 1 car.

While the production version of the Bolide is slightly less potent than the original concept—which boasted 1,826 horsepower and a theoretical top speed exceeding 300 mph—the production model’s top speed is capped at 236 mph. This still surpasses the highest recorded speed in Formula 1 but doesn’t entirely compete with the comprehensive dynamic capabilities of F1 racers, especially in terms of lateral g-forces during turns.

Priced at around $4 million and limited to just 40 units, the Bugatti Bolide is not just a marvel of engineering but also a collector’s dream. Despite its potential on the track, it is anticipated that many of these hypercars will reside in private collections, perhaps never fully unleashing their track capabilities.