The End of an Era: Bugatti's Battle for Speed Without Its Secret Weapon
The Bugatti Mistral has just achieved the remarkable feat of being crowned the fastest convertible in the world, reaching a jaw-dropping top speed of 282 miles per hour. This stunning accomplishment has set a new benchmark for speed enthusiasts everywhere. However, the excitement behind this record is tempered by a pressing concern: Bugatti may find it significantly harder to challenge future records. The ultra-luxury automaker has recently lost access to the famed Ehra-Lessien test track, historically regarded as its secret weapon in claiming high-speed records.
Hitting 300 MPH Needs Huge Stretches Of Asphalt
Achieving velocities of 300 miles per hour and beyond is no small feat; a myriad of challenges present themselves at such extreme speeds. Factors like air temperature, tire composition, and even the capabilities of the driver can significantly influence the dynamics of a high-speed run. For instance, air that is too cold can become overly dense, which restricts maximum speeds, while overly hot air might impede the engine's performance. Each element plays a crucial role in ensuring successful high-speed trials.
Even with the right conditions, a vehicle needs substantial stretches of pavement to safely accelerate to top speeds. Accelerating to a modest 100 miles per hour involves a relatively tolerant time of 36 seconds per mile, but at 300 mph, the same mile is conquered in just 12 seconds. The difference is staggering, and every second counts; that’s how critical each inch of asphalt becomes.
The Ehra-Lessien Proving Grounds, part of the Volkswagen Group, was key to Bugatti's previous record-breaking adventures. With a staggering 5.6-mile-long straightaway complemented by banked corners, this course allowed drivers to approach the straightaway at incredible speeds. Iconic moments, like James May’s memorable 253 mph in the Bugatti Veyron back in 2007, took place here.
In stark contrast, when the Hennessey Venom GT raised the bar to 270 mph in 2013, it utilized a mere 3.2-mile stretch of runway at the Kennedy Space Center. Here, drivers face the pressure of braking decisions happening in fractions of a second—an immense challenge that only the bravest drivers can tackle. Bugatti's recent foray into record-setting territory, with the Agera RS hitting 278 mph on 11 miles of closed highway in Nevada, highlights that finding suitable terrain for these battles is anything but simple.
Only One Place In The World Can Do What Ehra-Lessien Can
After looking at the driving landscape, it becomes clear there are remarkably few locations that can realistically support such phenomenal speed runs. The longest commercial runway is located at Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet, offering only 3.41 miles. The closed military runway at Area 51 was 4.4 miles—long enough to support substantial speed runs—but is now inaccessible for enthusiasts. Locations longer than this mostly consist of unpaved dirt, which is wholly unsuitable for high-speed test runs.
Another potential contender is the 7.8-mile-long Nardo Ring in Italy. However, its circular design presents challenges in fully optimizing speed. A linear track layout remains supreme for achieving extraordinary high-speed runs.
To highlight the challenges Bugatti is now facing in its quest for speed, consider that during the Mistral’s record run, the automaker utilized ATP-Papenburg—a test track near Germany’s northern coastline—to make the magic happen. However, it only offers a comparatively short 2.5 miles of straightaway. In-car video footage reveals the Mistral reaching nearly 186 miles per hour upon entering the straight, leaving driver Andy Wallace mere seconds to react and decelerate.
In a powerful commentary, Wallace emphasized the distinct differences in track performance, effectively detailing how crucial the longer Ehra-Lessien track was for accelerating the Mistral to dizzying speeds. The track's confines significantly impacted braking decisions. Wallace even humorously noted he exceeded the recommended speed while navigating banked corners. Yet, this kind of serious acceleration needed more room than ATP-Papenburg could provide.
The question on everyone's lips is: why has Bugatti been cut off from the Ehra-Lessien track? While inquiries to Bugatti and its new owners Rimac have gone unanswered, the prevailing theory suggests that the restructuring of Bugatti into Bugatti Rimac under VW’s oversight may have led to this revocation. It remains a point of interest in the automotive community as we await a definitive answer.