“It’s a milestone that will stand for eternity,” said Bugatti’s president Stephan Winkelmann of Andy Wallace’s record-breaking 304.773mph run at Ehra-Lessien in a somewhat casual announcement from the French hypercar maker considering the magnitude of the achievement.

Unchartered territory

Smashing the former outright speed record for production cars held by the Koenigsegg Agera RS at 284.55mph, the car itself was what Bugatti has called a ‘near-production’ Chiron. Obvious differences include an extreme aerodynamic body package featuring a much longer rear overhang and a 1,600HP version of the quad-turbocharged W16 engine. The car was also shod with tyres specially made by Michelin to cope with the incredible forces involved. It is relatively safe to say that a limited tribute version of the Chiron will be announced in the not-so-distant future on the back of this extraordinary speed record, so watch this space. 

Photos: Bugatti