There are four Bugatti sports cars that represent automotive innovation like no others cars do.

It would come as a surprise that the four cars that represent innovation in automobiles in its purest form are all Bugatti sports cars. Showcasing the evolution of automobiles in a way that is unique and amounts to flexing the boundaries of what machines can really be or do what they are expected to do to the fullest, the four Bugatti cars are the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, Chiron Super Sport 300+ and the W16 Mistral World Record Car.

Successful in carving out a niche, each of the four cars – ultra super cars – have come to represent Bugatti’s incomparable legacy. The Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, on a beautiful day of April 2010, achieved a new land speed world record for production cars on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg). In the presence of the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) and a representative of Guinness Book of Records, the Super Sport achieved an average top speed of 431 kmph!

Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel Pierre Henri Raphanel put his helmet and gloves on, pulled the safety belts tight whilst the engineers checked the car a very last time for tyre pressure, temperature and all the systems.

The orange-black Super Sport crossed the light barrier within one hour by driving from South to North and then in the opposite direction. The driver being the only one to touch the car during the record run, the description of the Veyron as its headlights appeared at a certain point of the track was of a jumbo jet coming closer and simply jetting by.

The GPS-tachometer recorded a speed of as much as 933 kmph. The average speed generated by the TUV and Guinness representatives was a whopping 431.072 kmph, which surprised even the Bugatti team.

The roadster version of Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition, Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition, set the world speed record for open-top production sports cars at the Volkswagen Group’s proving grounds in Ehra-Lessien.

TÜV, the renowned independent German organisation for technical inspection and certification, officially confirmed that a top speed of 408.84 kmph was achieved when the super car was driven by the Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu in 2013.

On the market since the spring of 2012, the open-top sports car is fitted with an 8.0 litre W16 engine that pours 1,200 PS and a torque of 1,500 Nm at 3,000 to 5,000 rpm on the road. Its high-performance handling can be attributed to a racing chassis, which together with extremely fast-acting shock absorbers and reinforced anti-roll bars, guarantees exact control of both the four-wheel drive system and the entire vehicle.

The other factors that enable such performance at the upper limits include a standard carbon monocoque with high torsional rigidity and an outer shell made entirely of carbon fibre. With wind noise and air turbulence a particular concern with open-top vehicles, the Vitesse is offered with a specially developed roof spoiler along with an intricately designed windbreak that guarantees calm open-top driving.

The Chiron Super Sport 300+ is the fastest Bugatti ever made, redefining what is possible when it comes to speed and aerodynamics. Piloted by Bugatti’s Pilote Officiel Andy Wallace, the hypercar smashed through the 482.803 kmph (300 mph) barrier in 2019. Never had a production car reached such speeds ever!

Occupying a spot in the history and standing as a marker in the quest for greater performance and speed, the hypercar was fitted with a re-engineered version of Bugatti’s legendary 8.0 litre W16 engine that produced 1,600 PS of power. A new thermal management system for the engine and gearbox were developed. Refinements to the software governing the engine, gearbox and turbochargers were also made.

To ensure top notch stability, the car was fitted with a ‘longtail’ that extended the car length by approximately 25 cm. This allowed the laminar flow to pass over the body for a longer period of time, reducing aerodynamic stall by more than 40 percent. Air curtains adorning the hyper sports car’s front corners dispersed excess air pressure towards the car’s sides. Simultaneously, air outlets at the wheel arches and behind the front wheels guided excess pressure away from each wheel arch, reducing drag by also producing a small amount of negative lift. Liberal use of exposed carbon fibre – flowing through into the car’s engine cover and the windscreen wiper, thereby contributing to crucial weight-saving that helps the hyper sports car push the envelope of performance – was resorted to. Extremely light and strong magnesium alloy wheels were deployed.

Andy Wallace – Bugatti Pilote Officiel and winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours – assumed the controls of the one-off W16 Mistral World Record Car, warming up the vehicle’s bespoke high-performance tyres on a first anticipatory lap. Ascending to a specified speed of 200 kmph into the banking of the track (of ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg GmbH), he increased the speed before unleashing the full power of the vehicle as the straight opened up coming off the banking, taking it to new heights of record speed in November 2024. Under the meticulous control of SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH, the achievement of a new world top-speed record for an open-top car was officially confirmed at the end of the run, with Andy reaching an incredible 453.91 kmph.

The EUR 14 million hypercar is powered by an 8.0-litre, quad-turbo, W16 engine that does an impressive 1,578 bhp. Innovative is the W16 Mistral’s X-taillight arrangement, which channels hot air from the radiators through ducts towards the rear of the vehicle. The air is expelled through the vents in the X-taillight arrangement.

The hypercar’s ramp-design diffuser accelerates the air’s journey from the rear of the vehicle, which increases downforce and helps the model excel at high speeds. Contributing to the vehicle’s excellent stability are bespoke high-performance tyres.

MT

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German luxury brand Mercedes-Benz India has reported its strongest ever start to a fiscal year, retailing 4,238 new vehicles between April and June 2025 (Q1 FY2026), marking a 10 percent YoY growth.

The company shared that its performance in Q1 was primarily driven by robust demand for its Core and Top-End Luxury segments.

The Top-End Luxury segment proved to be a significant highlight, experiencing a 20 percent growth. This category includes models such as the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach range, EQS products and AMG performance vehicles. Notable demand was seen for the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach Night Series, G 580 with EQ Technology, EQS SUV and the iconic AMG G 63. The limited-edition AMG G 63 'Collector’s Edition' has already garnered an overwhelming response, and the recently launched AMG GT 63 PRO is reportedly sold out for the remainder of the year.

The Core segment, comprising the C-Class, E-Class LWB saloons and the GLC and GLE SUVs, contributed 60 percent to total sales volume and grew by 10 percent. The E-Class LWB continues to be India's highest-selling luxury car, further boosted by the introduction of the E450 performance variant.

While the Entry Luxury segment saw a marginal decline due to intense competition from lower-priced offerings, Mercedes-Benz emphasised the feature-rich and value-oriented approach of these products.

Mercedes-Benz's BEV portfolio witnessed an outstanding 157 percent growth in Q1, increasing its penetration to 8 percent of total sales. This surge was predominantly driven by the Top-End Luxury BEVs, with the EQS SUV, EQS Maybach Night Series and the G 580 SUV with EQ Technology seeing record demand. Waiting periods for the EQS Maybach and G 580 with EQ Technology currently extend up to six months.

The luxury car maker stated that this record-breaking quarter was achieved despite various micro-economic hurdles, including fluctuating foreign exchange rates, price increases and competitive market dynamics, particularly within the entry-luxury segment. Mercedes-Benz attributes its success in the higher-end categories to a growing consumer preference for exclusive, hyper-personalised and premium vehicles.

Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “Mercedes-Benz kick-starts the current fiscal with best-ever sales performance, registering 10 percent growth. This strong sales performance is buoyed by the robust demand for our portfolio, particularly for the top-end luxury and BEV segments, highlighting a growing customer preference for exclusive luxury vehicles with hyper-personalisation and customisation. We are equally thrilled with the outstanding momentum of our BEV portfolio, driven by top-end BEVs like the EQS SUV, EQS Maybach and the G 580 with EQ technology."

"Our sharp focus on bolstering the Top-End Luxury has been highly successful in influencing customer preferences and differentiating Mercedes-Benz as the most desirable luxury brand in India. Launch of the GLS AMG Line, reiterates Mercedes-Benz’s focus on enriching the top-end luxury portfolio with new products. The GLS has been Mercedes-Benz’s top-selling ‘Large Size Luxury SUV’ with more than 16,000 units on Indian roads. The addition of the New GLS AMG Line will further bolster Mercedes-Benz’s SUV portfolio, accentuating the strong DNA of the GLS, with a road presence and grandeur that is unparalleled. With AMG styling GLS becomes sporty and expressive in design, completely redefining the segment with space, performance and ride comfort, in the most commanding way,” concluded Iyer.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced significant upgrades to its popular hatchback the Toyota Glanza.

The company has announced that all variants of the Toyota Glanza will now come standard with six airbags. As part of its move to provide comprehensive protection for both drivers and passengers in the urban-centric vehicle.

In addition to the safety upgrade, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has introduced a limited-period ‘Prestige Package.’ This accessory bundle, available from June until 31 July 2025, includes dealer-fitted enhancements such as premium door visors, body side moulding with chrome and black accents, rear lamp garnish, chrome garnishes for ORVMs and fenders, a rear skid plate, illuminated door sills and lower grille garnish.

The Toyota Glanza, celebrating six years in India with over 200,000 units sold, continues to be recognised for its dynamic styling, fuel efficiency and advanced features. Powered by a 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine, it has a claimed fuel efficiency of 22.94 kmpl (AMT) and 30.61 km/kg (CNG). Key features include a 9-inch infotainment system, Head-Up Display (HUD), 360-degree camera and Toyota i-Connect with over 45 connected features.

The Glanza also boasts a robust TECT body structure and other safety features like Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill Hold Assist. It comes with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty, extendable up to 5 years/220,000 km, along with Toyota's 60-minute Express Maintenance service and 24/7 roadside assistance.

The updated Toyota Glanza starts at an ex-showroom price of INR 690,000.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Kia India, a leading manufacturer of passenger vehicles, has appointed Atul Sood as Senior Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, effective 11 July 2025. Reporting to Joonsu Cho, Chief Sales Officer, Kia India, he will be responsible for leading the brand’s nationwide sales strategy and operations.

With over 3 decades of experience in the automotive industry, Sood was most recently the President and Director at Toyota Mobility Solutions and Services India.

He is credited to having grown the business across the country, including dealer expansion and customer centric innovation. He also held senior roles at Toyota Kirloskar Motors and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific previously.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO, Kia India, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Atul Sood to Kia India family. His deep industry expertise and strategic acumen will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our market position and enhance customer satisfaction. We look forward to his leadership and contribution in driving the next phase of our growth journey."

Atul Sood, said, “I am excited to join Kia India at such a dynamic time in its evolution. Kia has established itself as a forward-thinking and customer-focused brand and it’s commitment to innovation and customer delight resonates strongly with me. I am looking forward to working with the team to deliver exceptional value and drive sustainable growth across the country.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company has revealed the IONIQ 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking the latest step in its electric high-performance vehicle development. The model is designed around Hyundai N’s three core pillars – cornering capability, racetrack performance and everyday usability.

The IONIQ 6 N is powered by dual motors producing 478 kW (650 PS) and 770 Nm of torque in boost mode, delivering 0–100 kmph acceleration in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 257 kmph. It uses an 84.0 kWh high-voltage battery, which can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 18 minutes under optimal conditions using a 350 kW charger. A new N Battery system supports various track driving scenarios with improved thermal management and reduced conditioning time.

Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “With IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai N aims to elevate its offerings, enticing drivers with electric powertrains that offer high-performance enthusiasts a thrilling new avenue to electrify their passion both on the road and the track.”

Engineering upgrades include a reworked suspension geometry, stroke sensing electronically controlled dampers and a chassis tuned for high-speed stability and improved grip. Braking is managed by 400mm front and 360mm rear discs, supported by up to 0.6 G regenerative braking. Aerodynamic enhancements such as a swan neck rear wing and wider fenders aid high-speed cornering stability. The vehicle achieves a drag coefficient of 0.27.

Key performance features include N e-Shift, which simulates internal combustion gear shifts, N Launch Control, N Grin Boost for short bursts of full power, N Drift Optimiser with configurable settings and adjustable front-rear torque distribution across 11 levels. The IONIQ 6 N also features N Pedal for agile cornering and TPMS Custom Mode for targeted tyre pressure settings.

Driver engagement is further supported by the N Active Sound+ system with multiple sound profiles and the N Ambient Shift Light, which visually signals optimal gear shift points. The N Track Manager allows users to log, monitor and analyse track performance.

The IONIQ 6 N will be available in six colours, including a new Performance Blue Pearl, and a black interior with Performance Blue accents. It will also be offered with N performance parts for further personalisation.

Hyundai showcased the model alongside others from the N lineup during the Goodwood event, including the IONIQ 5 N, i30 N, and various motorsport vehicles, culminating in a coordinated demonstration run.

Manfred Harrer, Executive Vice-President and Head of Vehicle Development Tech Unit, Hyundai Motor Company, said, “IONIQ 6 N combines formidable power, sophisticated battery management, aerodynamic mastery and advanced suspension systems to deliver a compelling blend of speed, stability and comfort, setting new benchmarks in modern automotive engineering.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!