Bugatti’s 300mph Chiron speed record in doubt

Earlier this week, Bugatti announced it had smashed through the 300mph barrier in a road car – the first time any manufacturer has officially accomplished the feat in a type-approved model that can legally be used on the street.

Its modified and tuned £4.2million Chiron Supersport 300+ hypercar – with Briton Andy Wallace at the wheel – was clocked at a speed of 304.77mph at a test track in Germany on 2 August, beating the old record set two years ago by almost 27mph.

But while the speed run was verified by the TÜV, Germany’s Technical Inspection Association, the legitimacy of the achievement has been cast into doubt.

That’s because The Guinness Book of World Records refuses to acknowledged Bugatti’s figure – and it’s all because of one major technicality…

Record or not: The Guinness Book of World Records will not acknowledge Bugatti’s 300mph-busting road-car speed run due to a stipulation in the rules

Stephan Winkelmann, the president of Bugatti, described the 300mph achievement announced earlier this week as a ‘milestone for eternity’.

However, it might never officially make it into the record books that matter.

That’s because the speed clocked in the Chiron is not being recognised by The Guinness Book of Records due to a technicality in the rule books. 

The awarding body stipulates that a land speed figure is only eligible if it has been set over two runs on the same course in opposite directions within an hour of each other. 

An average of the highest speeds hit in both directions is then taken as the final figure. 

Bugatti’s problem is that the 304.77mph speed measured at the Volkswagen Group’s test circuit at Ehra-Lessien in Germany was only set driving in one direction.

Bugatti's modified and tuned Chiron hypercar - with Briton Andy Wallace at the wheel - was clocked at a speed of 304.77mph at a test track in Germany on 2 August , beating the old record set two years ago by almost 27mph

Bugatti’s modified and tuned Chiron hypercar – with Briton Andy Wallace at the wheel – was clocked at a speed of 304.77mph at a test track in Germany on 2 August , beating the old record set two years ago by almost 27mph

However, Guinness stipulates that a land speed record is only eligible if it has been set over two runs on the same course in opposite directions within an hour of each other

However, Guinness stipulates that a land speed record is only eligible if it has been set over two runs on the same course in opposite directions within an hour of each other

The record speed needs to be an average of the highest speeds set in both directions of the same track. Bugatti confirmed it only drove in one direction

The record speed needs to be an average of the highest speeds set in both directions of the same track. Bugatti confirmed it only drove in one direction

Bugatti's record has now been cast into doubt, despite it being verified by the TÜV, Germany’s Technical Inspection Association, at the time

Bugatti’s record has now been cast into doubt, despite it being verified by the TÜV, Germany’s Technical Inspection Association, at the time

The car maker said this was a safety call, as decades of vehicles careering around the test track in a clockwise direction has modified the tarmac.

It said a run in the opposite direction would go against the grain of the surface, which could cause the tyres to overheat.

With very little in terms of run-off areas – and banked curves at the end of the straights – the hypercar brand says it was restricted by the limits of its own test facility. 

What that means, for the time being, is that Koenigsegg is still recognised by Guinness as holding the record road car speed of 277.87mph, set in an Agera RS in 2017.  

The car maker said it couldn't use the VW test track in both directions due to safety concerns, as decades of vehicles careering around the test track in a clockwise direction has modified the tarmac

The car maker said it couldn’t use the VW test track in both directions due to safety concerns, as decades of vehicles careering around the test track in a clockwise direction has modified the tarmac

A run in the opposite direction would go against the grain of the surface, which could cause the tyres to overheat, Bugatti said

A run in the opposite direction would go against the grain of the surface, which could cause the tyres to overheat, Bugatti said

The Guinness Book of World Records still lists the Koenigsegg Agera RS as the fastest road car on the planet, with a speed of 277.87mph set in 2017 over two runs in Nevada

The Guinness Book of World Records still lists the Koenigsegg Agera RS as the fastest road car on the planet, with a speed of 277.87mph set in 2017 over two runs in Nevada 

That said, questions can also be raised about the authenticity of all speed records set by car makers, given that they can choose the location where the attempts are made.

For instance, Koenigsegg achieved its near-278mph run in Nevada at a higher altitude, meaning the air was thinner and therefore creates less drag.

VW Group’s 13-mile test track is just 50 metres above sea level. According to Bugatti’s number crunching, the Chiron would have gone 15.5mph faster if the attempt took place at Nevada’s altitude, meaning a speed of 320mph.

Others had questioned the legitimacy of Bugatti's claimed road car speed record as the vehicle used wasn't actually available to buy. However, Bugatti has confirmed a limited run of 'long-tail' models

Others had questioned the legitimacy of Bugatti’s claimed road car speed record as the vehicle used wasn’t actually available to buy. However, Bugatti has confirmed a limited run of ‘long-tail’ models

Andy Wallace set Bugatti's record speed of 304.77mph. Wallace is the firm's official test driver and also an accomplished racer who won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1988

Andy Wallace set Bugatti’s record speed of 304.77mph. Wallace is the firm’s official test driver and also an accomplished racer who won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1988

Various performance modifications were made to the Chiron for the speed run, including an extended exhaust system

Various performance modifications were made to the Chiron for the speed run, including an extended exhaust system 

Just 30 versions of the record-breaking Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+ will be made… and cost £4.2m

As well as issues with the number of runs, Bugatti’s speed record was also being questioned by many who have pointed out that the Chiron used was not a production model.

However, Bugatti has since revealed that it will make 30 examples under the name Chiron Supersport 300+, with each one costing a cool £4.2million after tax.

It will use the same eight-litre, quad-turbo W16 engine – producing a staggering 1,578bhp – and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive system.

The limited edition car will also have the extended carbon bodywork and exhaust system.

This is the Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+. It's a £4.2million version of the standard hypercar with the extended carbon bodywork and upgraded exhaust system from the record-smashing example

This is the Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+. It’s a £4.2million version of the standard hypercar with the extended carbon bodywork and upgraded exhaust system from the record-smashing example

Just 30 examples will be made, Bugatti has confirmed. However, they won't be a direct like-for-like with the record-setting vehicle

Just 30 examples will be made, Bugatti has confirmed. However, they won’t be a direct like-for-like with the record-setting vehicle

The interior will be more lavish and have a passenger seat and the option for no roll cage. It also loses the laser-guide ride-height system and will have an electronic speed limiter

The interior will be more lavish and have a passenger seat and the option for no roll cage. It also loses the laser-guide ride-height system and will have an electronic speed limiter

What won’t be retained from the adapted Chiron used for the record-breaking run is the laser-guided ride-adjusting system, which helped keep the car as low to the ground as possible during the high-speed attempt.

There will also be no roll cage in the production car, and Bugatti has handily provided a passenger seat for the road-going model, too.

The car maker also confirmed that the 30 examples will be fitted with an electronic speed limiter, just in case any of the brave buyers decide to test its triple-ton credentials.

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