Volkswagen Group emperor Martin Winterkorn confirmed to German newspaper Bild that the Veyron’s successor is a go with a hybrid drivetrain producing 1,500 horsepower for a top speed of 286 mph. To balance that out, Volkswagen’s really-really budget brand will also launch in 2018.
While developing three models for developing markets positioned below Skodas, VW is also working on the Veyron’s replacement with five developmental prototypes already running around their playground with differing powertrain combinations. At least according to Autocar.
If all the new information is correct, the car will be more of an evolution than a revolution, because at the end of the day, we’re still looking at a mid-engined all-wheel drive hypercar with a carbon fiber tub and a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The added hybrid system is only there to boost power and improve efficiency, which means we might find electric turbos under the hood as well.
If the Veyron SuperSport was the automotive industry’s Moon landing, the new model will probably become its Mars colonization when it launches in 2016. While there are cars out there which are faster than a Bugatti by numerous standards, the Veyron still remains an unbelievable engineering achievement more than a decade after its conception.
VW’s Death Star just got faster.
Photo credit: Bugatti
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