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Bugatti Chiron And Its Ugly Rear Bumpers For The US Market

By Sanjoy Alexander

A Volkswagen AG Bugatti Chiron vehicle is displayed during the 2017 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 13, 2017. The New York International Auto Show, North America's first and largest-attended auto show dating back to 1900, showcases an incredible collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A Volkswagen AG Bugatti Chiron vehicle is displayed during the 2017 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 13, 2017. The New York International Auto Show, North America's first and largest-attended auto show dating back to 1900, showcases an incredible collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images /
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Thanks to insurance reasons and federal bumper regulations, the US-spec Bugatti Chiron has grown two unpleasant rubber lumps at the rear. But Bugatti is sort of with its owners when it comes to removing the tumor.

It takes months and at time years to design a timeless piece of automotive beauty like the Bugatti Chiron. It takes the federal law or insurance companies much less time to make the effort go waste. Thanks to the insurance particulars and bumper regulations in the United States, the Chiron will be sold in the country with two hideous rear bumper pads made of rubber. There are mandatory add-on amber markers as well, which got slapped to abide by the law.

This isn’t the first European car to get its gloriously-shaped derriere destroyed by the federal bumper regulations. Legendary cars like the McLaren F1 and the Lamborghini Countach had to flaunt similar “implants” prior to entering the American market.

Ironically enough, the two lumps of rubber flanking the license plate of the Bugatti Chiron offer little to no protection at all in the event of a low-speed rear impact. In short, the only purpose that the slapped-on rear bumpers serve is to get the seal of approval from the authorities. Oh, and of course it messes with the otherwise elegant design of the Bugatti Chiron.

Bugatti-Chiron
A Volkswagen AG Bugatti Chiron vehicle is displayed during the 2017 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in New York, U.S., on Thursday, April 13, 2017. The New York International Auto Show, North America’s first and largest-attended auto show dating back to 1900, showcases an incredible collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images /

The Bugatti Chiron made its American debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.

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There is a piece of good news though, if we go by the Jalopnik report. Once the customers take delivery of the car, they are free to remove these afterthought excuses made of rubber. Bugatti has made things easier by leaving the screws for the same exposed. The catch is that removing the single-piece tumor may make things slightly tricky when it comes to keeping the license plate fastened.

Among the 500 units of the Chiron which have been planned for production, 250 have already found takers. Bugatti has also commenced deliveries. The exotic carmaker will be making 70 pieces of the $2.6 million hypercar per year. Powered by a revised version of the Bugatti Veyron’s 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine, the Chiron has 1,479 hp of power and 1,600 Nm of torque.

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The Chiron’s top speed has been limited to 261 mph. However, Bugatti may be taking the leash off some day to make the Chiron go faster – 285 mph, if you need a number – which in turn will make it the undisputed king of the “World’s Fastest Production Cars” hill.

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