Electrified Legacy: Could Porsche's Next Halo Supercar Inherit Bugatti's Hypercar DNA?
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Electrified Legacy: Could Porsche's Next Halo Supercar Inherit Bugatti's Hypercar DNA?

Mate Rimac sheds light on the Chiron-successor and here's what it could mean for Porsche

by Amrit Balraj on June 20, 2024, 19:00

Bugatti has kicked off an exciting new chapter with a YouTube docuseries. This series takes viewers on a journey into the brand’s future, led by the visionary Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac. The pilot episode, released on June 18th, features Rimac outlining his vision for the successor to the legendary Chiron supercar. The successor has big shoes to fill, but Mate seems up to the challenge. As a CEO who launched a hypercar company from his garage in Croatia, he understands the expectations of automobile enthusiasts everywhere. "Bugatti is a legacy built by extraordinary people," Rimac states in the film.

Bugatti cars haven’t just been machines, they’ve been automotive art, testaments to unparalleled design, engineering, and technological prowess. Mate also understands that a true Bugatti must also ignite the soul. In the video, Mate outlines the company’s ideas for their next hypercar, which could have a hybrid powertrain. It could be the bridge between Bugatti’s performance heritage and Rimac’s cutting-edge technology. It needs to not only be a worthy successor to the Chiron, but one that embodies the very essence of Bugatti-Rimac.

In the video, Mate showcases a scale model of a potential powertrain for the Chiron’s successor. He walks us through the company’s plans to pair a traditional combustion engine with a "very high-performance electric powertrain" with one electric motor in the rear and 2 in the front. The video also offers a tantalizing peek at the Chiron’s successor, codenamed BR1. While details remain shrouded in secrecy, we can see an intriguing silhouette, and take in some of its design philosophy. The BR1 retains the signature Bugatti horseshoe grille, although with a slightly more imposing hood compared to the Chiron. The familiar quad LED headlamp setup is also present, but sporting a fresh design language. The video concludes with a cryptic shot of the car’s undercarriage. We see glimpses of the front subframe, suspension system, and lightweight carbon monocoque chassis. The model will be unveiled on June 20th on Bugatti’s official YouTube Channel.

Porsche’s partnership with Rimac has the potential to revolutionize their upcoming hypercar, the successor to the 918. Rimac is a leader in electric hypercars. Up until now, Porsche has showcased the all-electric Mission X concept, which featured a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio and an estimated 1,700 horsepower. The biggest draw was the positioning of the battery behind the seat, trying to recreate the weight distribution on a mid-engined gas-powered supercar. Rimac’s knowledge of battery technology, high-performance electric motors, and efficient powertrain integration could be crucial for Porsche in developing a powerful yet sustainable successor. Imagine Overall, the partnership with Rimac holds immense potential for Porsche’s next hypercar. By combining Porsche’s legacy of gasoline-powered performance with Rimac’s expertise in electric hypercars, they could create a machine that redefines the boundaries of speed, technology, and sustainable performance. A hybrid drivetrain combining a roaring combustion engine with the instant torque of electric motors, pushes the boundaries of performance. We could potentially also see technology from the ludicrous Rimac Nevera being shared by Porsche’s upcoming EV models like the Cayman 718.

Amrit Balraj

Amrit Balraj

When not reading up or watching videos about obscure and rare automobiles, Amrit spends his free time planning imaginary road trips on some of the best driving roads in the world, preferably in an old truck with a motorcycle strapped to the bed. Read full bio