What if you could hit 250 mph and not worry about going to jail? Also, what if you could experience 250+ mph in a new Bugatti Chiron at Kennedy Space Center on their shuttle landing runway? Wait, even better, what if you could OWN a Bugatti Chiron and be invited to hit 250 mph on the old Space Shuttle runway? Well, it turns out that a select number of Chiron owners had the opportunity to open up their vehicles at Kennedy Space Center to hit that magical 400 km/h speed, or 248.548 mph – if you want to be all technical about it.
What’s the fun in owning a Bugatti Chiron and you can never hit those crazy 200+ mph speeds legally, or without the risk of losing your license? Fortunately, Bugatti knows the urge and aims to appease their Chiron owners.
Owning a Bugatti is a dream for many automobile enthusiasts, and it comes with a range of fantastic perks that exemplify the brand’s commitment to luxury and performance. Recently, a group of Bugatti owners had the opportunity to truly test the limits of their high-speed machines at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds, located at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility.
The proving grounds, originally designed for landing the Space Shuttle, now serves as a perfect venue for high-speed runs. This three-mile stretch of asphalt provided the Bugatti owners with the ideal setting to push their cars to their maximum potential. And push they did. These fortunate owners were able to reach speeds exceeding 249 miles per hour, an exhilarating experience that can only be described as awe-inspiring.
To truly comprehend the magnitude of this speed, it’s important to note that the vehicles covered more than a football field’s length every second. Such incredible velocity not only showcases the prowess of the Bugatti machines but also emphasizes the significance of the engineering behind them.
The inspiration behind this extraordinary experience can be traced back to Ferdinand K. Piëch, whose vision for the original Bugatti Veyron 16.4 challenged engineers to create a car capable of driving at 400 km/h (249 mph) in the morning and accompanying its owner to the opera in the evening. This pursuit of seamless integration between unmatched speeds and unparalleled luxury has become an integral part of the Bugatti brand’s identity.
During a memorable four-day event in April 2023, customers in attendance were able to reach top speeds of up to 412 km/h (256 mph). As they sat behind the wheel, there may have been a mix of excitement and nervous tension, but ultimately, the Bugatti owners were astounded by the levels of stability, comfort, and safety their vehicles offered, even at such astonishing velocities.
The experience was so remarkable that it will forever be etched in the memories of those who participated. To commemorate this extraordinary day, each customer received a personalized certificate, a race suit tailored to their specifications, and a helmet customized with their name, the date of the event, and the speed they achieved. These mementos will serve as tangible reminders of their participation in this truly spectacular occasion.
