Meet The Guy That Tests Every New Bugatti Before It Is Delivered

This is Steve Jenny and as a test driver for Bugatti, he may have the most desirable job in the automotive industry.

Jenny got his start in the industry by working for Mahle and BBS and played a key role in developing various components for motorsport. He first applied for a job at Bugatti in May 2004 while the French automaker was readying the Veyron for production. He got the job and was tasked with developing a process that would ensure each and every Bugatti worked perfectly before being handed over to the customer.

In September 2005, Jenny started to test each Veyron after its final technical inspection to ensure that it was running perfectly. Every new Bugatti since, including the Veyron and Chiron, has been driven and tested by Jenny on a journey that normally covers a distance of around 300 km (168 miles) and puts the hypercar through its paces in all kinds of conditions.

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Each test drive usually takes about five hours and includes a driving dynamics inspection where Jenny checks pedal weights and responsiveness, steering feel, and listens for any unusual sounds. After covering the first 80 km (49.7 miles), Jenny takes each Bugatti along a cobblestone road.

Testing then moves to a closed runway at the Colmar airport in France where each car undergoes performance tests, including hitting speeds beyond 300 km/h (186 mph) and having systems such as the launch control and airbrake tested. Jenny also performs rapid lane change and heavy braking maneuvers.

After this initial 300 km test, the car returns to the Bugatti factory where the gearbox oil is changed and new wheels are fitted. A one-hour test drive is then performed, spanning at least 50 km (31 miles) before Jenny gives each car his final approval.

“With such an individual and handcrafted vehicle, everything must be perfect. Our aim is to correct even the smallest cause for criticism before shipping the car. Only then will our customers be happy,” Jenny explains.