What It Is

The replacement for the recently retired Veyron, the supercar king of the hill since its 2005 arrival.

Why It Matters

The 258-mph Veyron 16.4 Super Sport currently wears the crown of fastest production car, but the Chiron, named for Monaco-born racer Louis Chiron, should reach 288 mph, assuming you can rent Nebraska.

Platform

The existing Veyron’s carbon-fiber structure, modified to reduce weight. Improved interior ergonomics and outward visibility are further goals. We’re thinking an F-18 canopy would work well.

Powertrain

The 8.0-liter W-16 engine returns, though now with direct injection, increased boost pressure, and at least two of its four turbochargers electrically powered. Output rises from 1200 to 1500 horsepower, and the 1106 pound-feet torque peak arrives lower in the rev range. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic again handles the shifting, and the four-wheel-drive system adds torque vectoring.

Competition

Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, an actual F-18.

What Might Go Wrong

Octogenarian VW Group supremo Ferdinand Piëch, the driving force behind Bugatti, could keel over, at which point both car and brand might have to stand on their own business merits, something that twice-dead Bugatti has never managed to do.

Estimated Arrival and Price

A recent Piëch-ordered redesign of the door aperture—cutting into the doorsill to ease ingress and egress—pushed back the on-sale date to 2016. When the Chiron does get here, expect to pay $2.5 million, give or take.

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