Latest news with #Bugatti
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
How to do a 300mph+ top speed run: Bugatti's Andy Wallace reveals his secrets
Supercars Andy Wallace has many Bugatti accolades to his name, here's what the king of speed has taught us Skip 4 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Only one man has blasted past the magical 300mph barrier in a production car, lived to tell the tale and kept his lunch down. Andy Wallace is a titan of top speed runs, a vanquisher of vmax and one of the nicest blokes you'll ever meet. Here's everything he's taught us. 1. Jump to it Suppose you could call this bit 'expect the unexpected' because Ehra-Lessien (the venue for the Chiron Super Sport's 304.8mph record run) was 'repaved halfway round the bit where you do vmax, and there's a join between the new surface and the old bit', Andy explains. 'I was coming back and saying to the engineers 'Oh, the car's quite stable over the jump' and they were getting quite annoyed, saying 'What jump are you on about? It can't be off the ground'. They looked at the data and came back saying 'Oh, you're right – it's a jump'. That was at about 270mph.' Advertisement - Page continues below At 304mph the tearing force acting on the tyre is 7,000kg – three and a half Chirons. The gyroscopic mayhem caused by 4,100rpm wheels locks out the front steering geometry and scrambles the steering's ability to self-centre. Apply too much lock and you might not be able to pull it back straight. To be fair, aeroplanes normally fly at this kind of speed, so you'd expect some unusual handling traits. 3. Fit for purpose The record car was no ordinary Chiron. The Super Sport 300+ Prototype was 250mm longer with a significantly lower ride height to reduce drag. At the rear, the longtail had a reduced cross section (to aid aero and minimise drag), while the rear wing and air brake were removed, replaced with a static unit. You might like The Guinness speed record rules are as follows. The car must achieve the speed in two directions on the same road within 60 minutes, with the average of the two speeds the result. Andy only ran the speed in one direction. Bugatti says the main reason for this is that, after decades of cars pounding over its surface in the clockwise direction, the tarmac structure has rolled that way. Run it in the opposite direction, and you're working against the grain, causing huge heat build up in the tyres. 5. Balance is everything While you want to keep the car on the ground, you can't just throw downforce at it. Downforce means drag, which requires more power, and greater heat through the tyres. What you want is a balance between two tonnes of lift and two tonnes of negative lift (downforce); in essence, four tonnes of force trying to rip the chassis in two. However, if balanced properly, vmax sees merely the static weight of the car keeping it on the ground, reducing tyre load, tyre heat and the chances of a crash. Advertisement - Page continues below Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
ArabGT
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
You Won't Believe What the Bugatti Rimac CEO Drives Every Day
In a move that defies expectations, the Bugatti Rimac CEO, Mate Rimac, has captured the attention of car enthusiasts by opting for a humble Volkswagen Golf R32 MkV as his personal ride. While he leads one of the most elite hypercar manufacturers in the world, Rimac's daily driver is a five-door hatchback from a bygone era—one that perfectly reflects his down-to-earth love for authentic driving. This revelation echoes similar stories in the automotive world—like Koenigsegg's founder commuting in understated vehicles. But coming from the CEO of Bugatti Rimac, a brand synonymous with cutting-edge luxury and speed, the choice of a Golf R32 speaks volumes about his personal philosophy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mate Rimac (@materimac) From Hypercar Innovator to Hot Hatch Enthusiast Mate Rimac, the Croatian tech visionary behind the electric hypercar revolution, has always balanced innovation with genuine automotive passion. As the founder of Rimac Automobili and now the CEO of Bugatti Rimac, he's been at the forefront of performance EV development. Yet despite his futuristic endeavors, Rimac hasn't lost touch with the visceral joy of analog driving. His car collection includes BMW icons like the E30 M3 Sport Evolution, E46 M3 CSL, E39 M5, and the V10-powered E64 M6. But his latest acquisition—a Volkswagen Golf R32 MkV—reveals something deeper about his appreciation for raw, real-world performance. Why the Golf R32 Stands Out for the Bugatti Rimac CEO The Golf R32 MkV, known as the crown jewel of its generation, features a 3.2-liter VR6 engine that delivers 250 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. Coupled with 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a rapid six-speed DSG transmission, it delivers thrilling performance wrapped in a subtle, practical design. Interestingly, the car's key fob resembles that of the Bugatti Veyron—a fitting coincidence for the Bugatti Rimac CEO. Rimac calls the R32 'the purest expression of driving fun,' and he isn't keeping it stock. He plans to upgrade the cabin with modern tech, merging nostalgia with next-gen comfort in a way that mirrors his broader philosophy at Bugatti Rimac. The Philosophy Behind the Wheel The Bugatti Rimac CEO's choice of a Golf R32 is more than just sentimental—it's a reminder that driving pleasure isn't limited to multimillion-dollar machines. His desire to enhance a classic hatchback rather than trade it for something newer speaks to a deeper connection with the automotive soul. It's the same spirit driving the development of the 2026 Bugatti Tourbillon—a hybrid hypercar blending a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 with cutting-edge technology. A Human Touch in a High-Tech Industry Rimac's approach breaks the stereotype of the distant, corporate executive. Instead, the Bugatti Rimac CEO lives and breathes the passion his company stands for—whether behind the wheel of a Tourbillon or a Golf R32. His leadership style bridges the gap between technological innovation and human emotion, offering a refreshing example in an increasingly digitized industry. As the automotive world accelerates toward electrification, the sight of Rimac choosing a hatchback over a hypercar reinforces a vital truth: no matter how fast or advanced cars become, the thrill of the drive remains eternal.
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Bugatti's Boss Owns and Drives a Volkswagen Golf R32
Mate Rimac made a name for himself by developing some of the most exciting EVs out there. However, his rise to success began with a humble BMW E30 and a blown engine. Well before the Concept_One and the Nevera that followed, a 1983 3 Series was converted for electric duty and nicknamed the 'Green Monster.' With 600 horsepower on tap, it claimed the title of the quickest-accelerating EV back in 2011. Over the years, he's purchased several cars bearing the roundel, including an M5 E39 and an M3 E30 Sport Evolution. The Croatian entrepreneur has also been spotted driving everything from a Z4 M Coupe to an F90 M5 Competition. He even owned an M3 CSL E46 and a V-10-powered M6 E64, so it's safe to say he has a soft spot for BMWs. However, there's one car in his garage with a different badge: a Volkswagen . And not just any VW. The 37-year-old CEO of Bugatti Rimac owns and drives a Golf R32 MkV in the five-door body style, equipped with a six-speed DSG and a key fob not too different from the Veyron's. Back in the day, VW also offered the VR-6-powered car with a six-speed manual gearbox and a three-door configuration. While he loves the car as it is, he believes a restomod, focused on upgrading interior quality and adding connectivity tech, would turn it into an 'amazing' hot hatch. Not that we needed any more convincing, but Mate Rimac is an enthusiast through and through. He persuaded the Volkswagen Group not to turn the Bugatti Chiron's successor into an electric SUV. The story goes that VW had planned to launch a high-riding EV, but when Rimac was asked to take over, he green-lit another hypercar instead. The result was the Tourbillon , featuring a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V-16. Sure, it's a hybrid, but one that's a tad more exciting than a Prius. Mate Rimac strikes us as the kind of CEO who would've green-lit the Golf GTI W12-650 concept, also based on the Mk5, for production. Yes, VW once shoehorned a 641-hp twelve-cylinder engine from a Bentley Continental GT into a Golf, mounting it behind the seats. The fifth-gen Golf also spawned a 500-hp, V-10 running prototype that never came to be. He's not the only enthusiast in the business. Christian von Koenigsegg said he'd put the last tank of fuel in the Miata he bought when he was 19. Ivan Espinosa, Nissan's new boss, drives his Z to work every day. It's CEOs like these who give us hope that fun cars won't disappear under the weight of SUVs, electrification, and relentless cost-cutting. New Volkswagen Golf R32 18 Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Mate Rimac / Instagram Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
ME Construction
3 days ago
- Business
- ME Construction
Binghatti Holding launches its first master-planned community
Property Binghatti Holding launches its first master-planned community By The company has acquired a sizeable land plot for its $6.8bn residential community Binghatti Holding has acquired a freehold plot of land in the heart of Dubai's Meydan district to develop a residential community valued at more than US $6.8bn. The land spans more than eight million sqft of gross floor area and is the company's first master-planned community project. Located in Nad Al Sheba 1, the land has been set aside for a groundbreaking development designed to deliver a refined and tranquil lifestyle. The area has been long associated with equestrian excellence and home to the original Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, the former venue of the iconic Dubai World Cup. With seamless connectivity to major roads and proximity to Dubai's key landmarks, the planned community will offer both convenience and exclusivity, said Binghatti Holding in a statement. 'The acquisition of a mega plot for what is expected to be our first master-planned development marks a pivotal moment in Binghatti's growth journey. The planned new mega project would build on the strong momentum of our vertically integrated model, which has consistently enabled us to deliver distinctive, high-quality properties ahead of schedule,' commented Chairman Muhammad BinGhatti. He added, 'Our solid financial foundation has allowed us to self-fund the acquisition of the land for what is expected to be a transformative project that will set a new benchmark for integrated living in Dubai.' Binghatti currently has around 20,000 units under development across about 30 projects in prime residential areas across Dubai, including Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Jaddaf, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Production City and Sports City. Binghatti's flagship properties are branded residences built in collaboration with Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Jacob & Co. and have attracted celebrity clients including football star Neymar Junior and the opera star Andrea Bocelli, the statement concluded.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai's Binghatti to develop $7bln master community in Meydan district
Dubai developer Binghatti Holding has acquired freehold land to build its first master-planned residential community in Nad Al Sheba 1 in the Meydan district. The master community will have more than 8 million square feet of gross floor area, with an anticipated total development value exceeding 25 billion UAE dirhams ($6.81 billion), the developer stated in a statement on Wednesday. 'The planned new mega project will be built on the strong momentum of our vertically integrated model,' said Binghatti Holding Chairman Muhammad BinGhatti. The land acquisition was self-financed, he said, without giving details on the land cost. Binghatti currently has 20,000 units under development across nearly 30 projects in residential areas, including Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah Village Circle, Al Jaddaf, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Production City and Sports City. The developer's flagship properties are branded residences built in collaboration with Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and Jacob & Co., the statement said. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
