News Source: topspeed.com

Now with every Veyron  officially sold, Bugatti  is preparing for its next big supercar  . The new hypercar, called Chiron, will be lighter, more nimble, and more powerful. This comes after our spy photographers captured images of a Veyron  test mule tooling around the Nürburgring  with interesting equipment settled to its back. While the Veyron  had an impressive run starting in 2005 that lasted through several variations and 30 different special editions,  it had a few shortcomings. An off-set driving position and a relatively heavy curb weight earned it some negative press.

Bugatti is planning to remedy those issues with the upcoming Chiron. Automobile reports the car will be derived from the existing carbon-fiber platform but will only have some eight percent of carryover components. The main carryover piece will be the W-16, quad-turbocharged engine, though it will be heavily updated. Direct injection will be added and two of the four turbos will be electronically driven to eliminate turbo lag. Power is expected to be around 1,500 horsepower and 1,100 pound-feet of torque.

That insane amount of power is expected to produce 0-to-62-mph times under 2.5 seconds and top speeds of 286 mph. That equates to 300 more horsepower and an 18-mph faster top speed than the Veyron. The Chiron will make its global debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March and arrive in dealerships for the 2017 model year. Stay tuned for updates.

Updated 02/24/2016: Bugatti launched the official countdown for the upcoming Chiron. It announces the model will be unveiled on March 1st at 09:45 CET. Stay tuned for the official details. The Chiron will have a similar shape to the Veyron’s with its curvaceous haunches, familiar Bugatti grille, and mid-engine design. A large front windshield wraps around the A-pillars and connects to the side glass that ends in an air scoop behind the B-pillars. Aerodynamics will be improved, helping gain the extra 18 mph on the top speed. Air intakes over the passenger compartment roof suck in air for the monstrous W-16 engine. Bugatti is reportedly fixing the issues with the Veyron’s slightly off-centered driving position. The gauge cluster is also getting a makeover, getting away from the large center tachometer and replacing it with an analog speedometer with a 312-mph listed top speed. Ergonomics will also be improved with the switchgear repositioned and outward visibility greatly enhanced thanks to that large windshield. Expect the Bugatti to carry a similar if not more luxurious cabin with loads of creature comforts.

Reports suggest the Veyron’s engine will carry over to the Chiron, but will receive numerous updates in order to keep it outperforming the competition. First, direct fuel injection will be added to the 8.0-liter W-16, then the turbo boost pressure will be increased. Lastly, two of its four turbos will be replaced with electronic turbos that are spooled by electric motors instead of exhaust gas, resulting in instantaneous boost on command.

These improvements are expected to give the 1,200-horse engine an extra 300 horsepower, resulting in a spectacular 1,500 horsepower. Torque will also get a massive increase to 1,100 pound-feet. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive will deliver the power to the ground.

Expect 62 mph to come in under 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 286 mph. Though pricing is unconfirmed at this time, it’s expected the Chiron will fetch roughly $2.5 million, or €2 million when it debuts in 2016.

It’s obviously way too early for a conclusion here, but the Chiron will likely be at least as successful as the Veyron and get a lot of attention from the media. Bugatti will again make use of its bespoke program to roll out a multitude of limited-edition models and offer virtually unlimited ways to customize the supercar. Expect a new world record attempt, special editions paying tribute to Bugatti’s glorious past, and a hefty price tag.

On the flip side, like the Veyron, the Chiron will lack any racing ability at the track and be more of a garage queen rather than a supercar you can hoon at the Nurburgring or the Laguna Seca over the weekend. And it all has to do with Bugatti’s pride to build the world’s fastest production car.