Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+: 1,578 hp, 490 km/h & The Hypercar That Broke the Speed Barrier
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ – The first production-based car to break the 300 mph barrier.
The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ represents one of the most extreme land-speed engineering projects ever developed for a road-legal hypercar. Built to commemorate the first production-based car to exceed 300 mph (490 km/h), this machine pushes the boundaries of physics, materials science, and aerodynamics. With a limited production run of just 30 units and a price tag exceeding $3.9 million, it exists purely to answer one question: how fast can a car possibly go?
On August 2, 2019, Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace piloted a pre-production prototype to 490.484 km/h (304.773 mph) at Volkswagen's Ehra-Lessien test track—a record that still stands. The production version translates that record-breaking engineering into a customer car. Here's the complete technical breakdown.
1. Technical Overview
The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is an evolution of the Bugatti Chiron, itself a development of the Veyron lineage. But "evolution" understates the engineering effort: the Super Sport features a longer tail (by 25 cm) to optimize airflow, revised suspension for high-speed stability, and an engine that produces 1,578 hp—98 more than the standard Chiron. Every component is engineered for one purpose: sustaining extreme velocity.
2. Top Speed & Velocity Profile
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top Speed (record) | 490.484 km/h (304.773 mph) |
| 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 2.3 seconds |
| 0–200 km/h (0-124 mph) | 5.5 seconds |
| 0–300 km/h (0-186 mph) | 12.4 seconds |
| 0–400 km/h (0-249 mph) | 32.6 seconds |
| Power | 1,578 hp (1,177 kW) |
| Torque | 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft) |
| Weight | 1,995 kg (4,398 lbs) |
| Power-to-Weight | 0.79 hp/kg |
3. Powertrain Engineering
At the heart of the Chiron Super Sport lies an engineering masterpiece: an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine. Four turbochargers work in sequence—two engage at low RPM, with the remaining two joining at higher revs to eliminate lag while delivering massive top-end power.
| Powertrain Spec | Data |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 8.0L quad-turbo W16 |
| Displacement | 7,993 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 86.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Max Power | 1,578 hp @ 6,700 rpm |
| Max Torque | 1,600 Nm @ 2,000-6,000 rpm |
| Redline | 6,900 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
4. Aerodynamic Engineering
The Super Sport 300+ distinguishes itself with a 25 cm longer tail, optimized for low drag rather than downforce. The "long-tail" configuration reduces the drag coefficient to just 0.35 Cd—remarkable for a car with 16 cylinders and four turbochargers to cool. At 490 km/h, the aerodynamic forces are immense: the car generates enough lift to fly, but the carefully shaped body keeps it planted.
Key aerodynamic features include:
- Long-tail bodywork: Extends airflow attachment, reducing drag
- Air-curtain intakes: Guide air around front wheels
- Optimized diffuser: Manages underbody flow
- Fixed rear wing: Contributes to high-speed stability
- Exhaust placement: Central quad pipes integrated into diffuser
5. High-Speed Stability
Sustaining 490 km/h requires more than power—it demands absolute stability. The Super Sport features specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires rated for 500+ km/h, with X-ray inspection of every tire before installation. The suspension has been recalibrated with stiffer springs and revised dampers to maintain control at velocities where most cars would become unstable.
The braking system uses massive carbon-ceramic discs (420 mm front, 400 mm rear) with titanium pistons. At 490 km/h, braking forces exceed 2g, generating temperatures that would melt steel. The car can stop from 400 km/h in under 10 seconds.
6. Land Speed Classification
According to the Speedo Science Velocity Index, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ sits in the exclusive Extreme Velocity Class (450+ km/h)—the highest category for production-based vehicles. Only a handful of cars have ever breached this threshold, placing the Super Sport in an elite category alongside the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut and SSC Tuatara. It is, quite simply, the fastest production-based car in the world.
7. Comparative Analysis
| Model | Power | Top Speed | 0-100 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ | 1,578 hp | 490 km/h | 2.3 s | $3.9M |
| Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut | 1,600 hp | 480+ km/h | 2.5 s | $2.8M |
| SSC Tuatara | 1,750 hp | 455 km/h | 2.5 s | $1.9M |
| Hennessey Venom F5 | 1,817 hp | 480+ km/h | 2.6 s | $2.1M |
The Super Sport 300+ commands a significant premium over its rivals—justified by its record-breaking achievement and Bugatti's unmatched heritage. While the Jesko and Venom F5 may claim higher theoretical top speeds, only the Bugatti has actually done it.
8. Technical Specifications
| Specification | Data |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 8.0L quad-turbo W16 |
| Displacement | 7,993 cc |
| Power | 1,578 hp @ 6,700 rpm |
| Torque | 1,600 Nm @ 2,000 rpm |
| Top Speed | 490 km/h (record) |
| 0-100 km/h | 2.3 s |
| 0-200 km/h | 5.5 s |
| 0-300 km/h | 12.4 s |
| Weight (dry) | 1,995 kg |
| Power/Weight | 0.79 hp/kg |
| Length | 4,794 mm |
| Width | 2,038 mm |
| Height | 1,212 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,711 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L |
| Production | 30 units |
| Price | $3.9 million |
9. Velocity Engineering Summary
The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ represents the absolute pinnacle of land-speed engineering for road-legal vehicles. Its quad-turbo W16, aerodynamic optimization, and high-speed stability systems combine to create a machine that can sustain 490 km/h—a speed that most aircraft only reach during takeoff. In the Speedo Science Velocity Index, it sits at the very top of the Extreme Velocity Class, a testament to what happens when engineering has no budget and no constraints.
More than just a car, the Super Sport 300+ is a historical artifact—the first production-based vehicle to break the 300 mph barrier. For the 30 owners who will experience it, it's not just transportation; it's a piece of land-speed history.
⚙️ TECH INSIGHT: The Quad-Turbo W16
The W16 engine is essentially two narrow-angle V8s joined together—a configuration that packs 16 cylinders into a package only slightly longer than a conventional V12. The four turbochargers operate in a staged sequence: two turbos feed cylinders 1-8, the other two feed cylinders 9-16. Below 3,800 rpm, only one turbo per bank is active; above that, all four spin up to deliver maximum boost. This system eliminates turbo lag while enabling the 1,578 hp peak output. At full chat, the engine consumes 100 liters of fuel in just 7 minutes—roughly the same as a Boeing 747 at takeoff.
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