WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: BUGATTI
Molsheim has created the one-of-a-kind Bugatti Chiron Profilée as a less radical interpretation of the Chiron Pur Sport that was unveiled back in 2020.
With all Chiron build slots already taken, RM Sotheby’s Profilée auction in Paris on February 1, 2023, will be a late opportunity to purchase one of the final W16-powered Bugattis directly from the Molsheim Atelier.
Despite the Profilée being the only example of its kind, Bugatti has spent considerable resources bringing the car up to the exacting production standards the company applies to each of its models. Honed through a programme of fastidious testing and development, the Profilée has acquired a single type of approval for the EU.
“Taking customer wishes seriously into consideration to discover what a less radical version of the Pur Sport would be, we started with the design and development of the Chiron Profilée in autumn 2020,” reveals Bugatti president Christophe Piochon.
“It is – in every sense – a true Bugatti and a one-of-a-kind piece of collectable automotive history. And we really wanted to give a fair chance to any devotee of the Bugatti brand – customers or non-customers – to acquire this very unique piece.”
The Profilée’s unique design features a sweeping, ducktail-adorned rear. Bugatti says this provides aerodynamic stability all the way up to the car’s top speed of 236mph, and uses negative pressure to cool the engine bay by expelling hot air through two interior tunnels.
The front of the car is characterised by wider air inlets and an enlarged grille, both of which introduce more cool air into the radiators. This is complemented by a redesigned front splitter and a sculpted underbody that works to increase downforce.
“We incorporated an elegant, fixed sweeping tail that is both aerodynamically and thermodynamically optimised while also creating a graceful and timeless shape, instead of the hydraulic rear wing of the Chiron or the six-foot-wide fixed wing of the Pur Sport,” explains deputy design director Frank Heyl.
“We named it Profilée in honour of one of Jean Bugatti’s Bugatti Type 46 and Type 50, which also carried that elegant flick in their tail.”
According to Bugatti, Profilée retains much of the Pur Sport’s personality, which focused on cornering adhesion and acceleration. With this in mind, the company paired its legendary 1480bhp W16 engine with a transmission fitted with ratios that are 15 percent shorter than those of a Chiron Sport.
Predictably, the engine, transmission and aerodynamic package yield some impressive performance figures. The Profilée can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 2.3 seconds, to 124mph in 5.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 236mph, compared with the 217mph achieved by Pur Sport.
Changes to the camber angles of the wheels on the front and rear axles, as well as harder springs with a front-heavy balance, are all part of the Profilée’s chassis configuration. Springs are ten percent stiffer than the Chiron Sport’s, while the rear wheels have been set up with 50 percent more negative camber. These changes are intended to provide improved lateral grip without compromising ride comfort.
Another unique aspect of the Profilée is its exterior paintwork. The primary colour of Argent Atlantique was specifically developed for the model, which is the only Bugatti that has ever been offered in this hue.
Exposed carbon decorates the lower part of the body, which is also tinted in Bleu Royal Carbon. The theme of uniqueness continues with the wheels, which are finished in Le Patron to complement the tinted exposed carbon.
The interior of the Profilée is finished by hand at Bugatti’s Atelier in Molsheim. High-quality materials such as leather, carbon and solid aluminium are used throughout the cabin, and each part takes Bugatti’s artisans hours to manufacture.
A woven-leather finish comprising 2500 metres of leather strips is applied to the dashboard, door panels and centre console. The Profilée represents the first time this material has been used on a Chiron interior.
Comfort seats trimmed in Gris Rafale and Deep Blue quilted leather and a black anodised inlay with the Profiléé signature in the centre console complete the car’s special interior.
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