Bugatti has released some images of a car that appears to be a racing version of the Divo, itself a hardcore version of the Chiron. Only 40 Divos are set for production, each featuring measures to reduce weight, improve aerodynamics and add yet more speed. Basically it’s built for cornering rather than just being a horsepower-monger.
The Divo ‘0.67’ takes things further, most likely using the same 8.0-litre, 16-cylinder, four-turbo engine albeit detuned – yes, that’s detuned – to meet Le Mans regulations. In the Divo the engine develops 1479bhp and 1600Nm torque, getting the car to 62mph in 2.4 seconds and onto 236mph. The 0.67, on the other hand, will develop just 1100bhp at most in order to level out the playing field.
We’re told we’ll find out more about the 0.67 on Wednesday, including what the name refers to, but for now we can guess a couple of things. The huge scoop above the cockpit appears to be an air intake for the engine, and it could actually be that the 0.67 features some sort of electric propulsion.
In fact that’s highly likely, given that Le Mans Hypercar rules statenot only that the engines powering the cars should be in series production (as in, punters can buy a car with one) but also specifically that the front wheels be powered by an electric motor. It’s therefore possible – likely – that this is a petrol-electric hybrid with four-wheel drive.
Or it could be fully electric. We’ll find out on Wednesday.
A Bugatti hasn’t entered Le Mans since 1994, and even then it wasn’t a factory entry, rather an EB110 entered by a private team. It didn’t finish the race. A Porsche 962 won that year, incidentally. It’s fair to say that Bugatti’s glory days at Le Mans are in the distant past: the company last won the race the same year World War II broke out.
The Bugatti Divo, FYI…
Keyword: Bugatti teases new ‘0.67’ Le Mans hypercar