- Bugatti
- Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition
- Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse World Record Edition
- Chiron Super Sport 300+
- W16 Mistral
Four Bugattis Represent Pure Automotive Innovation
- By Bhushan Mhapralkar
- January 16, 2025
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
Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV Teased Ahead of India Launch
- By MT Bureau
- August 03, 2026
Kia India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has released a teaser of its first hybrid vehicle launch in the country the Sorento SUV, which serves as the manufacturer's global flagship SUV.
Originally introduced in 2002, the Sorento nameplate has recorded global sales of 4.8 million units across four product generations in 132 countries. The vehicle ranked among the brand's top three best-selling models globally in 2024 and 2025, receiving industry safety classifications including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-Star NHTSA rating.
Teaser images issued by the company show an upright vehicle profile featuring a distinct shoulder line and a two-tier front lighting design with an illuminated upper graphic across the bonnet area. The India-spec configuration incorporates Kia's hybrid powertrain technology.
The company has opened advance reservations for the model through its dealership network and official website, with full specifications and launch timelines to be announced prior to the official commercial release.
MG Select Launches Limited Couture Editions Of M9 And Cyberster
- By MT Bureau
- August 03, 2026
MG Select, the luxury division of JSW MG Motor India has introduced the Couture Edition of the MG M9 at INR 8.49 million, while the Cyberster Couture Edition is priced at INR 8.74 million.
The vehicles were created through a design partnership with fashion designer Gaurav Gupta. The collaboration began at the opening of Gupta's menswear flagship store in New Delhi, followed by an official vehicle integration during his 'Light Song' couture showcase in Mumbai on 17 July 2026.
Both models incorporate Gupta's Serpent Infinity design motif across interior and exterior surfaces, using hand embroidery, tonal layering and surface detailing techniques derived from garment construction.
Milind Shah, Head – MG Select, JSW MG Motor India, said, “The Cyberster and M9 have quickly become the most sought-after luxury EVs in their segment. By introducing a couture layer, we are building on that popularity with an offering that is both rare and collectible. It strengthens MG SELECT’s business proposition by uniting proven demand with exclusivity, ensuring our luxury channel continues to establish itself as a curator of distinct experiences for discerning customers.”
Gaurav Gupta said, “I’ve always believed that great design transcends categories. This collaboration with MG demonstrates how the principles of couture, craftsmanship, precision and emotional storytelling can transform the way we experience luxury mobility. Together, we’ve created something that is as expressive as it is functional.”
Production of the Couture Edition specification is limited to 50 units per vehicle model. Sales will be handled exclusively through MG SELECT Experience Centres across 14 cities, with orders opening on the official brand website ahead of customer deliveries scheduled to begin on 10 August 2026.
Porsche India Introduces 36-Month Assured Buy-Back Programme
- By MT Bureau
- August 03, 2026
Porsche India has launched an Assured Buy-Back Programme in partnership with a financial services provider, establishing guaranteed future valuation parameters for its vehicle range at the point of sale.
As per the terms, buyers can secure a guaranteed buy-back valuation of up to 70 percent after a 36-month tenure.
The scheme is available to private owners purchasing eligible Porsche models, including the Cayenne SUV alongside the Macan Electric and Taycan electric vehicle lines. The financial structure bridges the difference between the pre-agreed guaranteed value and the market resale value realised at the conclusion of the coverage term, subject to program conditions.
Ashutosh Dixit, Head of Porsche India, said, “The introduction of the Assured Buy-Back Program provides our customers with greater peace of mind while offering the flexibility to continue their journey with the Porsche brand. As we continue to enhance the ownership experience, this initiative reflects our commitment to delivering solutions that support our customers during their ownership journey.”
The agreement duration spans 36 months from the initial vehicle invoice date. At the end of the term, vehicle owners can exercise the buy-back option or transition into subsequent models within the brand's portfolio.
Renault India Sells 3,293 PVs In July 2026
- By MT Bureau
- August 02, 2026
French automaker Renault India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Group, has reported its wholesales for July 2026.
The company sold 3,293 units last month, up 27.9 percent YoY, as compared to 2,575 units for the same period last year.
With this, Renault India has now registered double-digit YoY growth for the 11th consecutive month. The company attributed the growth to the demand witnessed across its product portfolio and broadly aligned with the overall industry.

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