Record-Breaking Bugatti Chiron Profilée Sells for A$15.1 Million at Auction

Making it the most expensive new car to ever sell at auction.

On February 1st, the CEO of Bugatti, Mate Rimac, revealed that the exclusive Bugatti Chiron Profilée has set a new world record as the “most expensive new car ever sold at auction” after selling for $10.76 million (A$15.1 million) at RM Sotheby’s. The final price, including taxes, was approximately $13.1 million.

The buyer of the record-breaking Bugatti Chiron Profilée remains anonymous, and it is likely to stay that way. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to various charities. In late 2021, Mate Rimac became the CEO of Bugatti, succeeding Stephan Winkelman.

The Bugatti Chiron Profilée boasts an impressive array of features that excite even the most dedicated Bugatti enthusiasts, like myself. It is equipped with an 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine that generates a massive 1177kW and 1600Nm, identical to the Chiron Pur Sport, of which only 60 were produced.

The Bugatti Chiron Profilée combines the aggressive performance of the Pur Sport with added aesthetic touches, such as its distinctive ducktail rear spoiler in place of the Pur Sport’s massive fixed wing. Despite these differences, the Profilée remains true to the Chiron’s signature focus on extreme, mind-blowing performance.

Thanks to its shorter gear ratios compared to the Chiron Sport, the Bugatti Chiron Profilée accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.3 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h in 5.5 seconds, and reaches 300 km/h in 12.4 seconds. Its top speed is recorded at 386 km/h (236 mph), surpassing the 217 mph (349 km/h) maximum of the Chiron Pur Sport.

In addition to its engine and aesthetic updates, Bugatti engineers have also modified the chassis by adjusting the camber angles of the front and rear wheels and installing harder springs with a front-heavy balance. The springs are 10% stiffer compared to those on the Chiron Sport. The rear axle features a 50% increase in negative camber, resulting in enhanced cornering grip while still maintaining driver comfort.

The car’s exterior is finished in a custom color called Argent Atlantique, which was specifically created for this one-of-a-kind Chiron. No other Chiron has this color. The lower part of the car features a section of carbon fiber tinted with Bleu Royal Carbon.

The wheels on the Profilée are custom-made and were specially manufactured and tested for this vehicle. The interior features an abundance of leather, carbon fiber, and solid aluminum, all of which are carefully handcrafted. Due to its unique status, the Profilée is the first Chiron to feature a woven leather finish on the dashboard, door panels, and center console. Bugatti reports that over 2,500 meters of leather strips were required to achieve this finish.

The Chiron was first introduced to the world in March 2016 as the successor to the Veyron, setting new standards for performance and practicality, and establishing a benchmark for others to strive for. Bugatti committed to a limited production run of 500 Chiron units, and the first 200 of these were sold before the first Chiron was even produced at the Molsheim atelier.

However, the Profilée is one of a kind and is incredibly rare. It is highly unlikely that another car like this exists.