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

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Honda Cars India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has announced the price and start of deliveries for the Honda ZR-V e:HEV at INR 4.79 million (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The ZR-V e:HEV is currently being sold as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) imported from Japan and serves as Honda's flagship SUV in India.

It features a 2.0-litre e:HEV sports hybrid powertrain delivering 184 PS of power and 315 Nm of torque, with a fuel economy of 22.8 kmpl and zero to 100 kmph acceleration in 7.9 seconds.

The ZR-V e:HEV comes with a 9-inch touchscreen, Bose audio system, hands-free power tailgate and Honda SENSING driver assistance technologies.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, "Today marks another important milestone in Honda’s journey in India as we commence the deliveries of the all-new Honda ZR-V e:HEV. Positioned as our flagship model in the India line-up, ZR-V embodies Honda’s global advancements in Strong Hybrid technology, design, comfort and safety, offering customers a truly sophisticated and engaging driving experience. The enthusiastic response to the ZR-V pre-bookings, with first two batches for Indian market already booked, has been extremely encouraging. We are deeply grateful to our customers for their trust and enthusiasm and remain committed to delivering an exceptional ownership experience as we start to fulfil these orders and welcome even more customers into the Honda family.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has launched the new updated Brezza compact SUV with prices starting at INR 739,900.

The new Brezza introduces Turbo Boosterjet engine option, K15C engine variants and S-CNG models featuring an underbody fuel tank configuration.

The Turbo Boosterjet model is powered by a 1-litre engine delivering 81 kW of power and 170 Nm of torque, paired with a new 6-speed manual transmission and Progressive Smart Hybrid Technology.

The K15C powertrain is available with 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options, while the S-CNG variant offers a fuel efficiency of 26.9 km/kg. Safety features include a Bharat NCAP rating focus, 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Program and a 360-degree camera system.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The new Brezza, is an SUV that truly resonates with the aspirations of young India. With the new Brezza Turbo Boosterjet we add a new dimension of driving excitement that matches the energy and vibe of Young India. The new Brezza has been curated to find favour with diverse customer preferences as it switches effortlessly to appeal to the different moods and occasions of customers. It is an SUV that appeals to every side of a customer’s personality, be it at work or play, appealing to various aspects of their lifestyles and enabling them to ‘Lead Every Play’. This is the true hallmark of a great product, one that adapts to customers. I am confident the new Brezza will continue to build on the brand’s legacy as India’s favourite compact SUV.”

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Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has announced that its premium hatchback, the i20, has crossed the 1.5 million-unit cumulative sales mark in the domestic market since its debut in 2008. The model has been a defining force in the premium hatchback space, consistently raising benchmarks through forward-looking design, technological upgrades and robust safety provisions. Over nearly two decades, the i20 has adapted to changing consumer lifestyles, earning particular favour among young urban professionals and families seeking a sophisticated ownership experience.

The sales figure reflects deep-rooted customer confidence in the Hyundai brand and underscores the manufacturer's ability to anticipate market demands. Through three generational iterations, the i20 has introduced several segment-first features, ranging from connected-car functionalities to safety technologies once absent in this category. This evolutionary approach has ensured the model remains a trendsetter while maintaining a loyal customer base nationwide.

Hyundai has strategically expanded the i20 lineup to cater to varied buyer preferences. The i20 N Line infuses a sportier character, drawing inspiration from global motorsport and targeting drivers who desire heightened performance alongside everyday usability. The i20 Knight Edition offers a distinct aesthetic with its black-themed styling, appealing to those favouring a bolder road presence. These variants collectively address a wide spectrum of tastes while preserving the comfort and technology expected from the brand.

The standard i20 is powered by a 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine, available with a five-speed manual or an intelligent variable transmission. The i20 N Line features a 1.0-litre turbo GDi petrol unit, paired with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering a noticeably more spirited drive. This dual powertrain strategy caters to both efficiency-minded buyers and driving enthusiasts.

The i20 comes equipped with six airbags as standard, a 26.03-cm HD touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, a voice-enabled smart electric sunroof, wireless charging and smartphone connectivity. Additional highlights include over 60 Bluelink connected services, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, a Bose seven-speaker audio system, a dashcam and a tyre pressure monitoring system. With its stylish design, advanced amenities and strong safety suite, the i20 continues to hold a prominent position in Hyundai Motor India's portfolio and sustains robust demand nationwide.

Sunil Moolchandani, National Sales Head, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “The Hyundai i20 has been one of the most iconic products in Hyundai Motor India's portfolio and has consistently represented innovation, aspiration and premiumness. Crossing the milestone of 1.5 million cumulative sales is a testament to the immense trust and loyalty that customers have shown towards the brand over nearly two decades. We thank our customers for making the i20 a preferred choice in the premium hatchback segment and remain committed to delivering products and experiences that exceed expectations.”

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Stellantis-owned American brand Jeep India has introduced the Jeep Meridian 85th Anniversary Edition at prices starting INR 3.60 million, which is limited to just 85 units. Based on the Overland trim, the collector's edition features Gloss Black 18-inch alloy wheels, an all-black cabin with Mayan Gold accents and curated Anniversary AXS packages.

The vehicle introduces CARA AI, a voice assistant supporting 52 languages

Kumar Priyesh, Business Head & Director – Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, "For 85 years, Jeep has represented far more than a vehicle. It has symbolised freedom, exploration and the confidence to go wherever the journey leads. The Meridian 85th Anniversary Edition is our tribute to this remarkable legacy and to the passionate community that has helped shape the Jeep story over generations. With only 85 units available, this collector's edition offers customers a unique opportunity to own a distinctive piece of Jeep history while experiencing the premium craftsmanship, capability and sophistication that define the Meridian."

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