Test-Driving The $4.3 Million, 261 MPH Bugatti Chiron Super Sport

After an incredible run, the 2023 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport is the last model in Bugatti’s line of 16-cylinder ultra exotic supercars, all of them capable of more than 230 mph. The Chiron Super Sport has been produced since 2018, but it follows the Bugatti Veyron that debuted in 2005. The entire line of Veyrons and Chirons represent unique vehicles in the history of the automobile, with sixteen cylinders, 8.0 liters, and 1,000-plus horsepower.

In the case of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, the 8.0-liter, 16-cylinder engine makes 1,578 horsepower and has a top speed of 261 mph. Despite its two-ton weight, it gets to 60 mph is 2.3 seconds. The Super Sport’s base price is $3.7 million, but the way this one was spec’d it’s closer to $4.3 million. It has several cool features, including the clear “Skyview” roof. The silver painted front end, contrasted with carbon fiber that starts at the roof and A-pillars and extends over the entire rear end, looks great.

The carbon fiber treatment isn’t just on the exterior. The interior door panels feature a gorgeous blue-tinted carbon fiber. The rest of the interior is bathed in supple leather with high-quality metal trim. From the comfy driver’s seat a 300-mph speedometer stares back at you through the flat-bottom steering wheel. A steering wheel that offers superb on-center precision and off-center feel, making the Chiron Super Sport seem much smaller than its 4,500-pound curb weight would suggest.

The original Bugatti Chiron launched in 2016, with a total of 500 produced before production ended in 2023. This number includes all variants. The first Chiron had narrower openings above the bumper, but the Pure Sport that preceded the Super Sport had larger openings that carried over to this version. So you’ve got kind of a hybrid between the Pure Sport front end, and this longer tail rear end on the Super Sport to enhance aerodynamics and offer a higher top speed.

So what’s it like driving a $4.3 million car? Well, it’s a little nerve-racking honestly, as it should be. The truth is, like most highly advanced exotic cars, once you’ve been in the Chiron Super Sport for about 15 minutes you realize it’s just another car. Another really expensive car, but still just another car. The laser-precision steering, responsive 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and easily modulated brake pedal inspire as much confidence as you can get driving someone else’s multi-million dollar car.

As someone who started his driving career with a torque-laden 440-powered 1969 Plymouth GTX, I’m used to the idea that most cars don’t feel that fast to me. My 2023 Dodge Demon 170 feels fast to me. And supercars like the McLaren 765LT and 750S feel fast to me. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport feels otherworldly to me. Driving it on congested Highway One, south of Monterey, didn’t leave a lot of room for high-speed blasts. But the few times I floored it were enough to make the point: It. Is. Fast.

I honestly had to be very careful with throttle application, even more than I imagined. The Chiron Super Sport can deliver over 1.5 gs of force when using launch control, and can hit 170 mph in about 10 seconds. Yes, you read that right. So it’s an extremely fast, capable car, as it’s supposed to be. But it’s also an extremely livable, drivable car. And if you can get the $3 million to $4 million price tag out of your head, it’s got a comfortable, relaxed nature.

What’s really interesting to me about a car like this, is that when the Veyron debuted 20 years ago the idea of a multi-million dollar, super-specialized high-speed vehicle was pretty unique. But while driving this car in Monterey I was surrounded by multi-million dollar, limited-production cars. So what’s unique about Bugatti now is its historic name, and how the leadership is going to leverage that history going forward to keep the brand relevant in a world drowning in seven-figure automobiles.

But there was this really magical moment in time, for about 10 years, when Veyrons and Chirons were kind of in a class by themselves, and didn’t have much to compete with. And I think it will always be a special time for these kind of cars, making me truly grateful I got to drive one.