Bugatti Bolide ,supercar with quad turbo 8.0-litre W16 engine
The most ambitious endeavors are often born from the purest ideas, and in the Bolide1 the aim has been unambiguous from the start: to create the lightest car possible, reduced to the essentials, around the iconic quad turbo 8.0-litre W16 engine. The appeal was obvious, sparking huge customer interest globally, and prompting Bugatti to produce a limited run of just 40 units. Two-and-half-years after the Bolide concept was unveiled and after countless simulated laps, the car is now being refined on real, revered racetracks as part of an uncompromising test program that focuses on realizing top motorsport levels of performance.
The tests are exhausting and relentless, as must be the case for a car of this nature, delivering 1,600 PS and a dry weight of only 1,450 kg, in the process achieving an unprecedented weight-to-power ratio. Lap after lap is being spent pushing the Bolide to the very limit in pursuit of achieving the optimum handling performance, but in line with Bugatti’s philosophy that the two-seater must be manageable for drivers of all abilities. The effort has paid off: the demanding program, which is ongoing, is demonstrating the extreme cornering speeds the car is capable of, with up to 2.5 G possible laterally and nearly three tons of downforce generated depending on the speed – testament to the groundbreaking aerodynamics, wide track, low center of gravity and mighty 16-cylinder powertrain.
The extraordinary performance the Bolide is delivering demonstrates Bugatti’s unrelenting commitment to the bespoke treatment required for a car of this type. This is evident at the front, where a front diffuser has been developed to improve drivability. The air flowing in is compressed under the front splitter, and then expands under the diffuser, creating suction that pulls the Bolide downward. At the same time, the diffuser is also able to direct the passing air to the left and right until it exits behind the front tires.
A number of other technical innovations are also integral to the Bolide’s performance. Specially designed air curtains in front of the front wheels help the air to flow perfectly around the car, reducing overall drag. Winglets on the outer edges of the front splitter develop a spiral air flow, generating a vortex that energizes the air flow to the diffuser, helping to improve rear downforce. And the narrow cab allows ideal airflow to the side intercoolers, where large inlets and deep shafts help to ensure an optimum operating temperature for the engine. Even the wing mirrors have been precisely designed to exact specifications to divert air towards the intercoolers, increasing their efficiency. Read More
