The Bugatti Divo was one of the most
highly-anticipated cars headed to Pebble Beach and now the automaker has
finally unveiled the model. Designed to revive the company’s tradition of coachbuilding, the Divo
features a unique design which shares little with the Chiron. A lot of the
styling changes focused on improving aerodynamics and Bugatti says the
modifications have resulted in an additional 90 kg of downforce.
Starting up front, the Dvio has been equipped with a
new front fascia featuring larger air intakes and a wider front spoiler. These
changes help to significantly improve downforce and cooling. Speaking of the
latter, the brakes are cooled by “four independent air sources on each side of
the vehicle: air flows in from the high-pressure area above the front bumper,
the inlets on the front wings, one inlet on the front radiator and the
diffusers ahead of the tires.”
Designers even paid special attention to the roof
and created it in such a way that it effectively becomes a NACA air duct. This,
combined with a specially designed engine cover, ensures a “very high” volume
of air goes into the engine compartment to cool the 8.0-liter W16 engine.
Other key styling changes include new headlights and
a larger diffuser which has been designed to accommodate a four-tailpipe
exhaust system. Designers also installed aerodynamic side skirts, a central fin
and a new rear spoiler which also functions as an air brake. The spoiler is 23
percent wider than the Chiron’s and Bugatti says this significantly improves
downforce and braking performance.
Getting back to the engine, it’s a familiar
quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 which continues to produce 1,500 PS. While the engine carries over, Bugatti says the Divo won’t have a
top speed mode and will be limited to 380 km/h.
While the ‘low’ top speed will likely disappoint
some Bugatti fans, the Divo is being positioned as a performance-oriented model
that isn’t just about going fast in a straight line. As Bugatti explained, they
wanted the car to be “sharper, more agile and more nimble.”
In order to achieve this, engineers increased the
camber and made a number of revisions to the suspension and steering system.
The Divo also weighs 35 kg (77 lbs) less than the Chiron thanks to lighter
wheels and a new carbon fiber intercooler cover. Additional weight saving
measures include the use of less insulation, the installation of a lighter
audio system and the elimination of storage compartments in the center console
and door panels.
Thanks to all these changes, the Divo can pull 1.6
G’s during lateral acceleration and lap the Nardò circuit eight seconds faster
than the Chiron. Bugatti also says the car has a “perceptibly different driving
experience on winding roads.”
The uniqueness of the model extends to the cabin as
the car has a two-tone interior with Divo Grey Alcantara upholstery and
contrasting Divo Racing Blue accents. Elsewhere, there is exclusive carbon
fiber trim and “glass-blasted anodized grey” metal accents. Drivers will also
find larger armrests and calf supports as well as a steering wheel with larger
paddle shifters.
The car is named after French racing driver Albert
Divo and production will be limited to 40 units. All of them have been spoken
for, despite the car’s US$ 5.8 million price tag.