The secret to the power of the Bugatti Veyron, Chiron, and Divo isn’t really a secret. Each model is equipped with a massive engine that features 16 cylinders, which are arranged in four banks in a unique W configuration. Since it first appeared under the hood of the Veyron in 2005, the W16 engine has been reconfigured several times, lending even greater horsepower and speed to Bugatti’s breathtaking line of supercars. Read on to learn more about the history of the W16 engine, as well as its future.
The answer might surprise you: Volkswagen Group. As of now, VW Group is the only automaker to design and build a W16 engine. The engines used in Bugatti models have a displacement of eight liters, as well as four camshafts and four turbochargers. Most high-performance models have just two turbochargers. Essentially, the quad turbo W16 engine is an amalgam of two VR8 engines sharing a common crankshaft and operating as one.
Currently, the street-legal Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ houses the most powerful rendition of this engine. The Chiron Super Sport 300+ generates 1,578 hp and reaches a top speed of 304 mph, making it the fastest sports car in the world.
While the Chiron is the fastest model in the Bugatti lineup, it’s the limited-edition Centodieci that is the most powerful. The Centodieci also utilizes the W16 engine, but boasts 1,600 hp compared to 1,578 with the Chiron.
Even when it first debuted in 2005, the W16 was no slouch. Powered by the W16, the Veyron produced over 1,000 hp and raced to a top speed of 254 mph. At the time, the Veyron was the highest performing production sports car. Over time, the engine has been retuned to be stronger, faster, and better.
The most recent addition to the Bugatti lineup — Bugatti Divo — houses a W16 engine that produces 1,479 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Needless to say, the legendary W16 engine has come a long way since it took the auto world by storm over 15 years ago.
All good things must come to an end — and the end is approaching for the famed quad-turbo 16-cylinder. Bugatti CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, stated that the W16 engine is “the last of its kind,” and there are no plans to give it another revival. However, as sports car enthusiasts say farewell to this powerhouse, another will make its debut. Bugatti has taken a cue from hybrid sports cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder, Acura NSX, McLaren P1, and Ferrari LaFerrari and is already making plans to create a high-performance hybrid drivetrain that delivers the refined racing power for which the brand is known.
You wouldn’t expect anything less than indomitable performance from an engine that weighs almost 1,000 pounds on its own. Curious about what an oil change for the colossal W16 engine entails? Bugatti Broward has the answers you seek about the W16 engine, Bugatti models, and supercar buying information. Contact us to learn more, or visit us near Weston and Southwest Ranches.
