Bugatti reveals corner-happy Chiron Pur Sport

FRENCH hypercar specialist Bugatti has unveiled a new version of its Chiron coupe called the Pur Sport, which turns the Chiron’s focus from straight-line speed to dynamic cornering ability.

Just 60 examples of the Chiron Pur Sport will be produced with a pricetag of €3 million ($A5.09m), meaning getting your hands on one will be just as hard as keeping up with one through a twisty mountain pass.

The Pur Sport is differentiated from the regular Chiron by wider air inlets and an enlarged horseshoe grille, emblazoned with ‘16’ lettering across the grille.

A large, protruding front splitter helps increase downforce, while a huge 1.9-metre wide rear spoiler also helps keep the Pur Sport pinned to the ground.

The chunky rear diffuser adds aerodynamic capability, while the inwardly angled wing spoiler mounts combine with the rear apron to create an X-like motif at the rear.

Buyers can option a two-tone paint job, with the entire lower third being comprised of exposed carbon-fibre, which gives the vehicle the impression of sitting lower to the ground.

Bugatti has also given the Pur Sport a nip and tuck to reduce overall weight by 50kg, introducing lighter components like a fixed-wing spoiler in place of a hydraulic one which sheds 10kg, while a 3D-printed titanium exhaust system has also been fitted.

The weight-saving continues inside with a stripped-back cabin that features lighter Alcantara upholstery on many of the surfaces, while all trim and controls are made of either black, adonised aluminium or titanium.

Aerodynamically enhanced 20-inch front/21-inch rear alloy wheels have been developed for the Pur Sport, which allow for a 16kg weight saving and help extract air from the wheels while drawing it alongside the vehicle.

The new wheels are fitted with specially developed Michelin Sport Cup 2 R tyres, with a rubber mix that creates more grip and boosts lateral acceleration by 10 per cent.

Also aiding in dynamic ability is the Pur Sport’s enhanced chassis and suspension setup, with the suspension featuring 65 per cent firmer front and 33 per cent firmer rear springs, with 2.5 degrees of negative camber added to the wheels.

Titanium brake pad base panels and brake discs have been fitted to save a further 3kg, which combined with the lighter wheels, aids ride comfort with the adaptive dampers having to deal with less mass, allowing the wheels to more easily stay in contact with the road.

Along with the regular EB, Motorway, Handling and Sport drive modes, a new Sport+ mode has been added which eases off the traction control system and allows drifting for those brave enough to try it.

The 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine underpinning the Chiron Pur Sport still outputs a massive 1119kW/1600Nm, however Bugatti has made some changes to enhance performance at a broader range of speeds.

Its seven-speed automatic transmission now features 80 per cent new components, and has been adjusted for 15 per cent closer ratios, allowing for shorter gear jumps and more aggressive acceleration at modest speeds.

For example, the Pur Sport can accelerate from 60 to 120km/h nearly two seconds faster than the ‘regular’ Chiron, however top speed is capped at 350km/h, down from 420km/h.

The changes have also meant the W16 engine is capable of spinning 200rpm higher, with redline now pegged at 6900rpm.

Bugatti president Stephan Winkelmann said the Pur Sport came as a result of customer feedback.

“We spoke to customers and realised they wanted a vehicle that is geared even more towards agility and dynamic cornering,” he said. “A hyper sportscar that yearns for country roads with as many bends as possible.”

“By cutting the weight by 50 kilograms while simultaneously boosting the downforce and configuring an uncompromising, sporty chassis as well as suspension setup, the Chiron Pur Sport boasts incredible grip, sensational acceleration and extraordinarily accurate handling.”

The Pur Sport is the latest in a long line of recent Bugatti special editions, with other recent examples including the La Vioture Noir, Centodieci, Divo and Chiron Super Sport.