Driven to the limit

Last March, Bugatti organised the first customers' test drive of the Bolide at the legendary Paul Ricard circuit.

Auto/Moto
29 april 2025
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Before taking their machines to full track sessions, Bugatti Bolide owners underwent training with experienced instructors to ensure they could confidently harness the full potential of this track-focused hypercar. After all, this is no ordinary automobile—it’s capable of outpacing a Formula 1 car.

The day began with a “warm-up” session. Owners hit the track in Porsche 911 GT3 RS models, honing their skills in preparation for the highlight of the day: finally putting their nearly $5 million “toys” to the test.

Before being delivered to the owner, each Bolide undergoes a rigorous testing process. First, the car is taken to the Mirecourt track in France, accompanied by a team of eight Bugatti specialists, including drivers, technicians, and engineers. The team meticulously monitors and analyses every aspect of the car’s performance at low speeds—from steering to braking—to ensure everything functions as expected.

Then comes the exciting part. The Bolide is pushed to its limits on the racetrack, with all mechanical components brought up to their optimal operating temperatures while the owners are on-site. This includes accelerating to 300 km/h to verify that the ABS, traction control, and braking systems are performing flawlessly. As extreme as this may sound, the Bolide’s top speed is capped at 380 km/h in low downforce mode, ensuring a balance between performance and safety.


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