Bugatti’s Centodieci Is A 1,578 HP Tribute To The EB110

The Bugatti Centodieci might have slipped out early, but the company has officially unveiled the new hypercar in Pebble Beach.

Starting with performance specs, the Centodieci has an 8.0-liter W16 engine that produces a staggering 1,578 hp (1,176 kW / 1,600 PS). This is 99 hp (74 kW / 100 PS) more than the Chiron.

Thanks to the extra power, the model can accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 2.4 seconds. Keeping the accelerator pinned to the floor will see 124 mph (200 km/h) arrive in 6.1 seconds, while 186 mph (300 km/h) comes 7 seconds later. Given enough room, the Centodieci will eventually top out at an electronically limited 236 mph (380 km/h).

The performance tweaks don’t stop there as the Centodieci weighs 44 lbs (20 kg) less than the Chiron. This was made possible by an assortment of changes including the use of a lightweight windshield wiper and stabilizers that were built out of carbon fiber. Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann said “The increased power and lower weight further improve performance – for even better acceleration at high speeds.” He added the Centodieci has a better power-to-weight ratio than the Chiron and even more dynamic handling.

A Bold New Look That Embraces The Past

Since the car draws inspiration from the EB110, that was introduced in 1991 on Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday, it has a unique design which recalls the classic supercar.  This presented a challenge as design director Achim Anscheidt said “Transporting this classic look into the new millennium without copying it was technically complex, to say the least. We had to create a new way of combining the complex aerothermal requirements of the underlying Chiron technology with a completely different aesthetic appearance.”

Despite the challenges, the car looks phenomenal as it successfully blends styling cues from the Chiron and EB110 with a few of its own.  At the front, the model adopts a smaller horseshoe grille and horizontal fins which reference the ones used on the EB110.  The car has also been equipped with a new front slitter and an aerodynamically optimized hood.  Furthermore, the Centodieci has slender LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights.

The distinctive styling continues further back as designers embraced the EB110’s wedge-shaped design by installing angular A-pillars which met a flatter roof.  The Centodieci also has unique bodywork which incorporates vents used on the EB110 and a more prominent shoulder line that angles up towards the rear end.  Since the Chiron’s side scoops have been eliminated, they were replaced by five round air intakes which recall those used on the EB110 SS.

While much of the car draws inspiration from the EB110, the rear end is unique to the Centodieci.  It features a ventilated fascia, a massive diffuser and a stacked four tailpipe sports exhaust system.  The model also has floating taillights and a massive rear wing that helps to improve downforce.

Production will be limited to ten and only two will be delivered to customers each year.  Despite that and an $8.9 (£7.3 / €8) million price tag, all ten units have already been sold.