I still remember the first time I saw a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport in person at an automotive exhibition in Geneva. The way it commanded attention wasn't just about its striking appearance—it was the palpable sense of history and engineering marvel that surrounded it. Much like how Reed answered the call to don national colors and honor his heritage, both the Veyron Super Sport and Chiron represent Bugatti's relentless pursuit of automotive excellence, each carrying forward a legacy that's deeply rooted in French engineering prowess.
When the Veyron Super Sport debuted in 2010, it wasn't just another hypercar—it was a statement. With its 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine producing 1,200 horsepower and reaching 267.8 mph, it shattered production car speed records in ways we'd never seen before. I've had the privilege of driving both these machines on closed circuits, and the Veyron's raw, mechanical feel is something that still gives me chills. The way its four turbochargers spool up feels like awakening a sleeping giant—there's an almost violent surge of power that pins you to the seat. Yet for all its brute force, the Veyron maintains an unexpected level of refinement that makes it surprisingly manageable at lower speeds.
Then came the Chiron in 2016, wearing its heritage proudly while pushing boundaries even further. Its updated W16 delivers 1,500 horsepower and can theoretically reach 304 mph, though it's electronically limited to 261 mph for safety reasons. Where the Veyron feels like a precision instrument, the Chiron operates more like a technological marvel. The steering is noticeably lighter, the carbon fiber construction more advanced, and the interior makes you feel like you're piloting a private jet rather than just driving a car. I particularly appreciate how Bugatti managed to maintain that distinctive Bugatti character while making the Chiron feel more accessible and daily-drivable—if you can call any 16-cylinder hypercar daily-drivable.
What fascinates me most about these machines is how they embody different philosophies despite sharing the same bloodline. The Veyron Super Sport represents that breakthrough moment when Bugatti proved what was possible, much like Reed seizing that rare career milestone. It's the raw, uncompromising pioneer that paved the way. The Chiron, meanwhile, feels like the refined evolution—honoring its heritage while incorporating lessons learned from its predecessor. From my experience behind the wheel, the Veyron delivers a more visceral, analog driving experience that purists will adore, while the Chiron offers technological sophistication that makes mind-bending performance more accessible.
In the end, choosing between these two hypercars comes down to what you value most in a driving experience. If you want that raw, record-breaking pioneer that started it all, the Veyron Super Sport captures a specific moment in automotive history that can never be replicated. But if you prefer the pinnacle of modern engineering that builds upon its ancestor's legacy while offering more refinement and technology, the Chiron represents the current peak of what's possible. Personally, I'd take the Veyron Super Sport—there's something about that unrefined, brutal character that feels more special to me, much like how answering that initial call often creates the most memorable milestones.