The Bugatti Divo was one of the most highly-anticipated cars headed to Pebble Beach and now the automaker has finally unveiled the model.
Designed to revive the company’s tradition of coachbuilding, the Divo features a unique design which shares little with the Chiron. A lot of the styling changes focused on improving aerodynamics and Bugatti says the modifications have resulted in an additional 90 kg (198 lbs) of downforce.
Starting up front, the Dvio has been equipped with a new front fascia with larger air intakes and a wider front spoiler. These changes help to significantly improve downforce and cooling. Speaking of the latter, the brakes are cooled by “four independent air sources on each side of the vehicle: air flows in from the high-pressure area above the front bumper, the inlets on the front wings, one inlet on the front radiator and the diffusers ahead of the tires.”
Designers even paid special attention to the roof and created it in such a way that it effectively becomes a NACA air duct. This, combined with a specially designed engine cover, ensures a “very high” volume of air goes into the engine compartment to cool the 8.0-liter W16 engine.
Other key styling changes include new headlights and a larger diffuser which has been designed to accommodate a four-tailpipe exhaust system. Designers also installed aerodynamic side skirts, a central fin and a new rear spoiler which also functions as an air brake. The spoiler is 23 percent wider than the Chiron’s and Bugatti says this significantly improves downforce and braking performance.
Getting back to the engine, it’s a familiar quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 which continues to produce 1,500 PS (1,103 kW / 1,479 hp). While the engine carries over, Bugatti says the Divo won’t have a top speed mode and will be limited to 380 km/h (236 mph).
While the ‘low’ top speed will likely disappoint some Bugatti fans, the Divo is being positioned as a performance-oriented model that isn’t just about going fast in a straight line. As Bugatti explained, they wanted the car to be “sharper, more agile and more nimble.”
In order to achieve this, engineers increased the camber and made a number of revisions to the suspension and steering system. The Divo also weighs 35 kg (77 lbs) less than the Chiron thanks to lighter wheels and a new carbon fiber intercooler cover. Additional weight saving measures include the use of less insulation, the installation of a lighter audio system and the elimination of storage compartments in the center console and door panels.
Thanks to all these changes, the Divo can pull 1.6 G’s during lateral acceleration and lap the Nardò circuit eight seconds faster than the Chiron. Bugatti also says the car has a “perceptibly different driving experience on winding roads.”
The uniqueness of the model extends to the cabin as the car has a two-tone interior with Divo Grey Alcantara upholstery and contrasting Divo Racing Blue accents. Elsewhere, there is exclusive carbon fiber trim and “glass-blasted anodized grey” metal accents. Drivers will also find larger armrests and calf supports as well as a steering wheel with larger paddle shifters.
The car is named after French racing driver Albert Divo and production will be limited to 40 units. All of them have been spoken for, despite the car’s $5.8 (€5 / £4.5) million price tag.