1999 Bugatti EB 18/3 Chiron

The Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" - A Highly Ambitious Sports Car Design

With the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron," the Volkswagen Group presented at the 1999 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt a design concept for a highly powerful sports car, innovative in its design and technical qualities. It also reconnected with the history of the great pre-war Bugatti models and their drivers. Louis Chiron, a winner of numerous victories, was one of the most talented Bugatti Grand Prix drivers of the 1920s and 1930s, thus contributing to the establishment of the Bugatti legend. The design of this automobile was the result of a collaboration between Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro and the Volkswagen design team.

The Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" was designed as a sports car. Its 18-cylinder mid-engine is developed by Volkswagen, itself a further development of the front-mounted model in the Bugatti EB 218. With a displacement of 6.3 liters, this direct-injection engine develops 408 kW / 555 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm.

The body of this study, measuring 1,150 mm high and 4,420 mm long, is made of carbon fiber and painted in the "Blu Côte d'Azur" color scheme.

Permanent all-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels with 265/30 front tires and 335/30 rear tires ensure good traction. A rear spoiler, which deploys in three movements, reduces the effect of lift forces on the rear axle, while the top speed, well over 300 km/h, proves worthy of the Bugatti brand. The manual transmission's gear changes are guided by an open-slide system.

With the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron," Giugiaro has created a refined interpretation of the lines that characterized Bugatti sports cars of the past. The sides are dominated by sleek lines, culminating in a quarter-circle before elegantly tapering off toward the rear in a harmonious curve. The bold combination of design details typical of the Bugatti brand creates a captivating front end.

The distinctive character of the body design is echoed in the elegant interior of the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron." Like the entire interior, the seats with integrated headrests are upholstered in smooth blue "Blù Pacifico" leather and suede in "Sabbia." The ignition key and starter button are both located on the center console. A retractable mechanical chronograph, which can be removed and features a click function, is located in the passenger-side dashboard.

The Bugatti EB 218 - Fascinating in the High-End Luxury Class

The Bugatti EB 218 is a fascinating vehicle positioned in the high-end luxury class. In terms of its design and ambitions, it is a continuation of the EB 118 concept car, which was developed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at the request of Volkswagen. For the EB 218, which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show, the past inspired a modern car style tailored to the brand. The result is an inimitable body shape with balanced proportions, exuding power and elegance above all else.

The name chosen for the Bugatti EB 218 refers to its 18-cylinder engine. Developed at Volkswagen, this engine features three banks of six cylinders constructed in a W-shape. With a displacement of 6.3 liters and direct injection, it develops a power output of 408 kW / 55 kW and a maximum torque of 650 Nm.

Aluminum space-frame technology is used for the bodywork. The aluminum exterior panels are painted in "Blù Notte Perlato," a blue pearl effect paint. Permanent all-wheel drive, an aluminum multi-link suspension, and 285/50 R 18 tires give the Bugatti EB 218 impressive driving dynamics and excellent traction.

The Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" - A Sports Car Study with an Inimitable Character

The study presented by the Volkswagen Group at the 1999 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) is called the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron." With its highly individual design and high technical standards, this high-performance sports car breaks new ground. Like the EB 118 and EB 218, it also seamlessly connects with the history of the great pre-war Bugatti models and their drivers.

Thanks to his numerous race victories, Louis Chiron, one of the most talented Bugatti Grand Prix drivers of the 1920s and 1930s, played an active role in establishing the Bugatti legend. The concept of the car is the result of a collaboration between Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro and the Volkswagen design team. Unlike the Bugatti EB 118 and EB 218, the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" has the unmistakable character of a high-performance sports car. The Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" is a sporty study that subordinates its initially aggressive nature to the Bugatti brand's claimed image. With the 18/3 "Chiron," Bugatti has once again proven the brand's power and tradition.

The Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" is designed as a sports car powered by a mid-mounted 18-cylinder engine developed by Volkswagen, which is a further development of the front-mounted design adopted in the Bugatti EB 218.

In the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron," power transmission from the engine is handled directly by a hydraulically actuated clutch. With a displacement of 6.3 liters, the direct-injection engine develops 408 kW / 555 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm (Nm).

Technology - a new interpretation of sportiness

With the mid-engine concept, Bugatti underlines the sportiness of the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron," which is further enhanced by the carbon fiber body, painted in an elegant "Blû Côte d'Azur." The windows are made of safety glass, and the 120-liter fuel tank is designed in two parts to optimize weight distribution.

The innovation is already evident in the exterior dimensions of the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron": this study is 4,420 millimeters long, 1,994 millimeters wide, and 1,150 millimeters high. The 2650 mm wheelbase and the wide track, which is 1657 mm at the front and 1648 mm at the rear, ensure exceptional road holding. In addition, the permanent all-wheel drive and the 20-inch wheels with 265/30 tires at the front and 335/30 at the rear guarantee safe traction.

A rear spoiler that deploys in three movements helps reduce the effect of lift forces on the rear axle, while the top speed, well over 300 km/h, is truly worthy of the Bugatti brand.

To perform precise parking maneuvers, an electronic camera is integrated above the rear license plate and transmits the image to a screen. This screen, which is also used for the navigation system, automatically pops up from the dashboard when reverse gear is engaged.

The design - distinctive and typical

With the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron", Giugiaro has created a discreet new interpretation of the lines that characterized Bugatti sports cars of the past. Familiar features are retained: a rib that extends across the entire body and exterior mirrors whose two halves are riveted together and attached to a double aluminum arm. The side lines dominate, culminating in a quarter-circle before tapering elegantly toward the rear, forming a harmonious curve. The shape of the rear side windows is reminiscent of the semicircle of old Bugattis. The rear wheel arches combine clean lines with sensual shapes.

The combination of bold details has created a sumptuous front end. From the side air intakes in front of the front wheel arch, the interplay of shapes continues to the clearly defined headlights, culminating in the traditional radiator grille, all in accordance with well-defined rules that create a set of stylistic characteristics unique to the Bugatti brand.

At the rear, the roof opening recalls the brand's typical semicircle and surrounds the "open-top" mid-engine and the retractable spoiler. The engine is positioned directly behind the two seats, from where it can be seen through a vertical window. Final stylistic details: quad exhaust pipes.

The interior - fascination in detail

The distinctive character of the body design is echoed in the elegant interior. The instrument cluster on the steering column is set in aluminum in a very elegant "engine-turn" design. A removable mechanical chronograph with a click function is located in the dashboard on the passenger side.

The noble appearance is enhanced by aluminum inserts in the doors and the four-spoke steering wheel. Like the entire interior, the seats with integrated headrests are upholstered in "Blu Pacifico" smooth leather and "Sabbia" suede. The ignition key and separate starter button on the center console start the 18-cylinder engine.

Golf equipment can be stowed behind the seats. The luggage compartment is located in front of the passenger compartment; a suitable luggage pack, whose appearance matches that of the vehicle's interior, allows you to transport your belongings with distinction.

The Engine - Mid-Mount Version

A mid-mounted version of the 18-cylinder engine featured in the Bugatti EB 118 and EB 218 was developed, which is now equipped in the Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron."

With 18 cylinders and a displacement of 6.3 liters, this engine, developed by Volkswagen, delivers exceptional performance. With four valves per cylinder, it develops 408 kW / 555 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm. Direct injection into the combustion chamber is the most efficient combustion process for gasoline engines. The engine is cooled by three front radiators positioned behind the air intake, which runs the entire width of the vehicle in the front bumper.

The engine was based on the EA 111 series with a cylinder spacing of 82 millimeters. Key parameters and important components for the combustion process were adopted from this series. These include the modified cylinder head with identical intake and exhaust ports, the combustion chamber shape, valves, injectors, and pistons.

The W-shaped engine design (2 x 60°) allows for a compact footprint. The coupling of the three banks of six-cylinder engines in line ensures exceptionally quiet operation while ensuring small overall dimensions.

Unlike the front-mounted engine of the Bugatti EB 218, power is transmitted directly to the manual transmission via a hydraulically actuated clutch. The transmission housing on the rear axle is flanged directly to the engine housing, of which it is an integral part.

The engine is controlled by a new master-slave system with three six-cylinder systems, which operate independently for all important components and characteristics and whose operation is coordinated by the main control unit. The engine's design features ensure that it operates in a manner worthy of the most sophisticated technology. These include: dry sump lubrication with a 15-litre oil reserve, piston cooling, a high-performance cooling water circuit with two three-speed water pumps, a water-cooled alternator, and connecting rod head lubrication through the middle of the crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods with caps separated by a so-called "cracking" process, and electric throttle control.

Bugatti 18/3 "Chiron" Technical specifications

Engine Specifications

Number of Cylinders: 18

Power: 408 kW (555 hp)

W-Arrangement: 2 x 60°

Bore x Stroke: 76.5 mm x 75.6 mm

Displacement: 6,255 cc

Compression Ratio: 11.5:1

Rated Speed: 6,800 rpm

Mean Working Pressure at Rated Power: 11.4 bar

Maximum Torque: 650 Nm

Rpm at Max Torque: 4,000