Bugatti Engineer Says Next Veyron Is Underway

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Bugatti's chief vehicle engineer, Jens Schulenberg, has let the Bug out of the bag in a recent interview: work has begun on a replacement for the Veyron.

The existing car may still be in production for another year or so, but with the Galibier sedan concept reportedly good to go, the brand is moving onto its next top-secret project.

Speaking with Britain's AutoExpress this week, Schulenberg described a car that will feature concepts and technologies well ahead of the already intoxicating Veyron.

"The big challenge on the next car will be reducing weight - we are looking at some incredible technologies, such as wheels made entirely from carbon fibre. Hybrids are definitely something we’re looking at," Schulenberg said.

The current Veyron weighs over two tonnes and had a notoriously difficult birth, with huge engineering problems associated with the engine and transmission.

If the new car is a hybrid, it would be less about saving fuel and more about eclipsing the Veyron's epic-making power.

The Veyron's 434km/h top speed is nothing to sneeze at, but a bit of extra electromotive force could significantly better the 863kW produced by the SuperSport's W16 quad-turbo engine.

It's almost a certainty the new hero will go faster, as producing the world's fastest production car is considered a 'cornerstone' of Bugatti's philosophy.

Bugatti's current efforts are centred around bringing the Galibier sedan to production. Expected on sale in 2014, the Galibier will effectively replace the Veyron on the Bugatti production line.

Schulenberg's mention of the new Veyron is by no means a product announcement, as the details are a bit vague. It will be a couple of years before work begins in earnest, and a few more after that until the car reaches production.

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