Bugatti invites a number of owners to experience what 256 mph feels like.
Bugatti owners recently got the chance to do top-speed runs without taking the heat from Johnny Law after the French automaker invited them for a special treat.
“The Bugatti 400 Drive” took place last April at Florida's Kennedy Space Center where 18 Bugatti owners from around the world came together to drive their hypercars above 400 km/h (256 mph) but not over 261 mph – a speed limit that Bugatti had to impose on their cars.
Bugatti chose the Kennedy Space Center's Launch and Landing Facility, a site steeped in history and significance, for the event. Previously utilized as a landing facility for NASA space shuttles, this 3-mile stretch provided the perfect backdrop for owners to push their Bugattis to the limit.
Without restrictions and utilizing the entire length of the tarmac, we can see exactly what a Bugatti is made for. Showcased prominently on the video are Bugatti Chiron Super Sport models that can sprint up to 60 mph in just 2 seconds and can reach their top speeds with ease thanks to the provided Top Speed keys at the event.
When the car's automatic systems ensure safety, the Top Speed Key is engaged. It lowers the ride height and rear wing to put the automobile in a low-drag configuration. In addition, two hydraulically operated flaps in front of the wheels are moved to lessen front-axle downforce. This unleashes the full potential of the showcased Bugatti models.
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Drivers got a crash course from Bugatti race officials prior to their first runs to prepare them for the physical and mental strains they would endure. The participants will experience over 1G of longitudinal force during full-throttle acceleration, and their eyes will struggle to see the braking boards among the heat haze rising off the runway.
After the event, owners received a plaque commemorating the event, as well as a personalized race suit and helmet engraved with their name, date, and highest speed achieved.
The experience is inspired by former Volkswagen Group chairman, Ferdinand Piech who had a vision for the brand to design a car that can go 256 mph in the morning but still bring the owner to the opera in the evening. This challenge to Bugatti's engineers led to the company's pursuit of speed. The first Bugatti Veyron 16.4 was created in response to Piech's directive and has continued to shape the brand's identity.
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Keyword: Bugatti Owners Push Their Cars To 256 MPH Top Speed At Kennedy Space Center