Supercars Velocity vanquished A trio of seismic supercars opened up the automotive market with full throttle in 2017. F1 Racing associate editor and sports car expert, James Roberts, lifts the hood on the superlative Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Veneno and La Ferrari FXX-K n open road ahead of LAMBORGHINI VENENO When the Veneno was unveiled styling, the 6.5-litre V12 is capable you and 1,000hp under Author Ernest Hemingway on the Italian naval aircraft carrier, of producing 750hp. That translates Ayour right foot: what more once famously said, “There are Cavour, it eclipsed the Veyron to 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. And could you ask for? In a world that only three sports – bullfighting, as the world’s most expensive while it’s not the most powerful is heading towards both electric motor racing and mountaineering supercar at €3.3m. supercar, a lightweight chassis and autonomous vehicles, it’s – all the rest are merely games.” The launch of the 221mph- pays dividends in braking and reassuring to know that a handful So, it’s perhaps apt the Italian car machine was to celebrate cornering, making light work of of supercar manufacturers are only marque Lamborghini has a tradition Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary, those Apennines hairpins. interested in one thing – speed. of naming its supercars after but you won’t see many blasting Bugatti, Lamborghini and famous bulls. After the Murciélago down the autostrada. It’s arguably BUGATTI CHIRON Ferrari and have not only built and Islero, now comes the Veneno the world’s most exclusive car. This luxurious mid-engine supercar three of the fastest machines to (Poison) – the bull that fatally Only three of the coupe exist – is fast. Seriously fast. ➤ ever grace the planet; they also wounded the famous torero and nine of the roadster. happen to be absolutely divine, José Sánchez Rodríguez during Based on the Lamborghini Below: The Lamborghini gilt-edged machines. a 1914 bullfight in Andalusia. Aventador, with similar carbon fibre Veneno Roadster October-December 2017 Upward Curve 21 Supercars Bugatti’s successor to the Veyron Above: Bugatti Chiron at the LA FERRARI FXX-K take note of the ‘K’. This Prancing is now the world’s quickest 2017 Goodwood Festival Ferrari have come a long way in Horse has benefitted from production car and is capable of of Speed Below: Ferarri 70 years since the first car to bear Formula 1 engine regulations. an eye-watering 261mph. Our FXX-K on one of Ferarri’s Enzo’s name – the 125 S. The ‘kinetic’ energy recovery beautiful two-seater accelerates Racing Days at Mugello La Ferrari FXX-K plays system (KERS) has been developed from 0-62mph in less than 2.5 Circuit in Italy successor to the original FXX, but in parallel with the Scuderia’s seconds and hits 124mph four impressive Formula 1 hybrid power seconds later. An astonishing unit programme. 1,479hp is blown out from its Additional electrical power is 8-litre engine, with the 16 cylinders harnessed under braking, then arranged in a ‘W’ formation, force- stored in the car’s batteries to fed by four turbochargers. The tail supplement the 848hp from pipes emit their waste gasses into the 6.3-litre V12. That produces the diffuser, creating downforce a combined output of 1,036hp. inspired from none other than Four newly-calibrated engine Formula 1 technology. settings exploit the dual power Not surprising then, this sources to the driver’s demands supercar is named after former – maximum performance for a multi-grand prix winner Louis handful of laps or a longer stint. Chiron. In the 1930s, the It’s the first Ferrari to produce Monégasque raced for Bugatti and more than 1,000hp and it can lap will be forever synonymous with his Fiorano circuit – the testing facility home track. As late as the 1970s, a stone’s throw from its Maranello Chiron was responsible for waving factory – five seconds quicker than the flag to herald the start of the the first generation La Ferrari. Monaco Grand Prix. Unfortunately, this supercar is The Chiron’s interior is restricted to the race track. Owners comfortable, leather-lined with a only get the chance to drive the minimalistic metal styling. But the FXX-K in Ferrari’s research and car’s tour de force is its speed. development track days and all Bugatti have only made 500 units 40 units of the €2.5m hypercar at a cost of €2.4m. have already been sold. ■ 22 Upward Curve October-December 2017.