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Bugatti Limited Chiron Super Sport 300+ Speed for Driver Safety

Read the full story on Modern Car Collector

Bugatti made headlines in 2019 when a specially modified Chiron Super Sport 300+ became the first hypercar to break the 300-mph barrier, achieving 304.7 mph (490.5 km/h) during a record-setting run at Germany’s Ehra-Lessien test track. But for customers buying the production version of this engineering marvel, the top speed was deliberately limited—proving that even the fastest carmakers in the world know when to prioritize safety over sheer velocity.

The production Chiron Super Sport 300+ is electronically capped at 273 mph (440 km/h), a figure Bugatti says reflects a balance between ultimate performance and real-world usability. The decision was not due to mechanical shortcomings, but to the extreme risks posed by sustained speeds over 280 mph.

At such velocities, even state-of-the-art Michelin tires, specifically engineered for the 300+, are pushed to their absolute limits. The tires endure intense centrifugal forces and heat buildup, with engineers admitting they operate on the edge of safety margins.

Driver safety also played a critical role in the speed cap. At over 300 mph, the car travels more than 430 feet per second. A fraction of a second in delayed reaction time could result in catastrophic consequences, even for experienced drivers.

Additionally, aerodynamics become unpredictable at extreme speeds. Airflow turns into a massive physical force, where even minor surface pressure changes could lead to instability, lift, or structural stress. Few places on Earth can accommodate such speeds safely—Ehra-Lessien remains one of the only tracks suitable for a 300-mph attempt.

Bugatti emphasized that its goal was not just to break records but to deliver a hypercar that owners could drive with confidence. By limiting speed, the company ensured the Chiron Super Sport 300+ remains as safe as it is breathtakingly fast.