Skip to main content

Here’s how Bugatti builds its 1,500-horsepower, 261-mile-per-hour Chiron

Production of the Bugatti Chiron is ramping up at the automaker’s Molsheim factory, in the Alsace region of France. The long-awaited successor to the Veyron is expected to begin deliveries in the first quarter of this year. But what exactly does it take to build a 1,500-horsepower, 261-mph supercar?

It takes time and patience, according to Bugatti. As with the Chiron itself, production comes with some impressive figures. Bugatti expects to deliver just 70 cars this year, with each taking an average of six months to build. A group of just 20 employees assemble each Chiron from more than 1,800 individual parts, by hand.

Recommended Videos

Even the factory itself is special. Founder Ettore Bugatti established his eponymous automaker in Molsheim in 1909, although the current factory only dates to 2005, when Veyron production started. Known as the Atelier, the 1,000-square-meter (10,763-square-foot) building has an oval shape, referencing the Bugatti logo. Unlike most modern car factories, it also lacks robots and conveyor belts. Instead, the Bugatti factory has individual work stations, like a Formula One team’s workshop.

There are 12 stations in all. The 1,500-hp quad-turbocharged, 8.0-liter W16 engine is assembled offsite at one of Bugatti parent Volkswagen’s engine plants, and is prepped for installation at the first station. It’s then married to the chassis, construction of which starts about a month before the formal assembly process. The rear end is then assembled around the powertrain, and joined to the rest of the car. Fourteen titanium bolts hold the front and back halves of the Chiron together.

Once the chassis is assembled, the car is tested on a dynamometer (essentially a treadmill for cars) to ensure its engine is producing maximum power. Bugatti actually does this before the bodywork is installed. Once those bits are added, the car is subjected to a simulated rainstorm for 30 minutes to ensure there are no leaks. After that, the interior is fitted and the Chiron is taken for a test drive. This includes both on-road driving and speed runs of up to 250 kph (155 mph) on an airport runway.

After testing is completed, the Chiron gets a thorough visual inspection. An employee examines each painted car in a “light tunnel” for over six hours, and then sends it back to the paint booth to fix any blemishes. That process can take between three hours and three weeks, according to Bugatti, depending on what exactly needs to be addressed. Each car is then personally approved by Christophe Piochon, the carmaker’s head of production, as well as the heads of sales, quality assurance, and customer service. After all of the work that goes into it, almost seems a shame to actually drive a Chiron on public roads and risk damaging it. Almost.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Waymo lays groundwork for robotaxi revolution
A Waymo car production line.

In recent years, Waymo has been edging toward its long-held goal of revolutionizing urban transportation by deploying a fully autonomous, scalable, and sustainable ride-hailing service. 

The Alphabet-owned company has just taken another step in that direction with the opening of a new vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with automaker Magna.

Read more
Ram resurrects 1500 Express trim as an affordable option
ram 1500 express return affordable 2026

Ram is revving up excitement with the return of an old favorite—the 2026 Ram 1500 Express. Reintroduced as a more affordable option in the full-size truck lineup, the Express trim brings back a combination of rugged style, respectable performance, and most importantly, a price tag that won’t send buyers running for the hills.

Starting at $41,105 for the base Quad Cab configuration (and just under $45,000 for the Crew Cab), the new Express offers a budget-friendly alternative in a market where full-size trucks can easily cross the $60,000 mark.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more