French high-performance car-maker Bugatti unveiled the Chiron at the 86th Geneva Motor Show started on March 1. The new sports car will replace the current Veyron in the portfolio that itself is one of the fastest cars in the world. The car has been named after Louis Chiron, a racer who won all the major grand prix for the brand in the 1920s-30s.

The heart of the Chiron is the W16 8.0-litre engine with four turbochargers that develops 1479bhp at 6700rpm and 1600Nm of torque in the range of 2000 to 6000rpm mated to specially developed seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that sends this torque to all four wheels. The massive power figures let the Chiron sprint 0 to 100kmph time in mere 2.5 seconds. 0 to 200kmph speed can be achieved in 6.5 seconds and to reach 300kmph, Chiron needs just 13.6 seconds. The Chiron will accelerate till the top speed of 420kmph.

On the design front, Chiron is not an all-new car. There are specific hints of Veyron in the silhouette and bits of the Vision Gran Turismo concept created for videogame series is evident. In the evolution, the Chiron is less rounded and more muscular than the Veyron. The new Bugatti is 82mm longer, 40mm wider and 53mm higher than the Veyron and is also 155 kg heavier. The car features specially-developed Michelin tyres 285/30 R20 spec up front and 355/25 R21 tyres at the rear. Braking is handled by 420mm front and 400mm rear disc brakes with eight piston and six piston callipers, respectively.

Limited to just 500 units and each Chiron will cost a minimum of 2.4 million Euros, which is approximately Rs 17.5 crore. The Chiron will lock horns with the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and Koenigsegg Regera.