Is Bugatti's Latest Speed Record A Big "So, What?"

Monday, Bugatti announced that one of its Chiron vehicles had broken the production car speed record. It did something monumental: It crossed the 300 mph mark.

At first I was excited and amazed. It was a milestone achievement.

But then the more I thought about it, the more a feeling of "Who cares?" started to creep in. Although I understand that setting speed records is a large part of the Bugatti brand, I don't think this is a top priority for today's buyers — even for those that can afford the mutli-million dollar supercar. That's because there's maybe only two places in the world you can hit that speed, one being the test track Bugatti did it at.

It's kind of like the SR-71. It's a magnificent engineering feat but few people will ever get to experience this greatness. It's all about bragging rights at this point.

Second, when you learn more about the car that achieved this record, it becomes very clear very fast that this isn't exactly a production vehicle. It was equipped with a specific aerodynamic kit, specially engineered tires and tuned up to 1600 horsepower.

Something tells me Bugatti will do the same as it previously did and launch a special edition in World Record Edition (WRE) form.

After all that, I've got to ask: Is Bugatti's latest speed record a big, fat "So, what?"

TomM - 9/4/2019 1:38:15 AM

+1 Boost

There will always be something historic about cars that set major milestones - and in the past - it is unlikely that pure stock cars ever did that.

However - these are not really street cars - they are MUSEUM cars - most will never see the road - or they will barely be used at all. The fact is - unless you OWN or RENT a race track - you will never get to see anything close to 300 MPH in any of them. Yes - there is a certain prestige in owning them - BUT - it is more a symbol of your wealth than the abilities of the car. None of these cars are even regular week-end riders

PUGPROUD - 9/4/2019 8:05:27 AM

+1 Boost

At some point the top speed numbers become so high and the 0-60 numbers so low that they loose their significance to all but a few and become socially and culturally indefensible. The blessing in disguise hopefully is that performance manufacturers turn their energies to building lighter, more visceral fun to drive cars for every day use.

skytop - 9/4/2019 8:05:40 AM

0 Boost

Bugatti Chiron has no relevance to me.

MDarringer - 9/4/2019 8:16:14 AM

0 Boost

Sure, it's a marvel of technology that made this happen, but the Chiron needed this as a claim to fame because it certainly isn't pretty to look at. It's a pointless accomplishment.

dlin - 9/4/2019 10:55:08 AM

+1 Boost

So what
Just another clunky fast car

ricks0me - 9/4/2019 5:52:34 PM

0 Boost

I am sure that there will be a Mr Big Ego who will find a need to go 300 mph. That ain't me