The emphasis for the Chiron Sport is on improved agility, so there’s no extra power from the W16. Instead, Bugatti has made some weight-saving measures, the most novel of which are the 3D-printed carbonfibre windscreen wipers that save 1.4kg. Carbonfibre is also used for the spoiler, the intercooler cover and the surrounds for the new quad-exit exhaust, while the rear window uses lighter glass. The total weight reduction is 18kg, which means the Chiron still weighs in at a portly 1977kg.
Further improving the Sport’s dexterity are 10 per cent stiffer dampers in Handling mode, along with a unique map for the electrically assisted steering that aims to add even greater precision. Yet perhaps the most significant addition is a new, electronically controlled rear differential. Featuring active torque vectoring, it can shuffle power across the rear axle for even more agile handling, with Bugatti claiming big gains in the car’s responses through slower corners.
“The Chiron Sport may be a fractionally more engaging trackday machine, but – call us cynical – the real the reason for its existance is to lure extremely wealthy buyers looking to fill a spot in their collection of appreciating four-wheeled assets”
On-track improvements were the aim here, with Bugatti claiming the Sport is 5 seconds a lap faster than the standard car around its Nardo test facility. Now, we don’t know what the stock Chiron’s time is, or the length of the lap, but 5 seconds is a decent chunk of time and hints at a far sharper driving experience. The Chiron’s other performance figures are unchanged, but with 0-100kmph in under 2.5sec and a top speed limited to 420kmph, it’s hardly lacking in get up and go.
Essentially the Chiron Sport is the answer to a question nobody asked. The fact is that few, if any, potential Chiron owners will ever consider taking their car on track – it’s just not that sort of machine. And even if they did, the standard car’s performance is so awe-inspiring and its limits so high that shaving seconds from its ultimate lap time is largely an irrelevant exercise. The Sport may be a fractionally more engaging trackday machine, but – call us cynical – the real the reason for its existance is to lure extremely wealthy buyers looking to fill a spot in their collection of appreciating four-wheeled assets. Still, if you had a spare Rs 23 crore burning a hole in your pocket, you would, wouldn’t you?