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Bugatti’s Veyron successor could be a 286-mph hybrid … you’re welcome, polar bears

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
Image used with permission by copyright holder
With production of the Veyron winding down, all eyes are turning to Bugatti’s next model.

While previous reports suggested the legendary marque would turn away from hyperbolic supercars or luxury sedans, but Bugatti appears to have changed its mind.

A new report from Autocar claims Bugatti is in fact working on a Veyron successor, and it’s a monster.

This car will reportedly use an updated version of the Veyron’s 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 augmented with some form of hybridization, producing a total of 1,479 horsepower.

The powertrain will be housed in a carbon-fiber monocoque and, as with the current Veyron, it will be mounted in the middle. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive will complete the setup.

The neo-Veyron was reportedly chosen over the 16C Galibier sedan after Bugatti talked to customers, who apparently have a need for speed. However, the company is keeping quiet about the possibility of a new car while order books for the current Veyron remain open.

When it arrives sometime around 2016, the Veyron replacement won’t disappoint those customers. Bugatti reportedly hopes to reclaim the title of world’s fastest production car with a 286 mph top speed.

That makes the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder look like underpowered rental cars, but Bugatti will still have a tough fight.

Depending on your interpretation of the rules, the Hennessey Venom GT is currently the world’s fastest car, with a 270 mph top speed. The Texas tuner is planning an even faster Venom F5 with a target velocity of 290 mph.

If it ever gets built, the SSC Tuatura will also contend for the world’s-fastest-car title, with a 7.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 producing 1,350 hp.

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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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