Tag Archives: Chief

News

Bugatti Chiron Successor: Everything We Know So Far

Summary

  • The next Bugatti hypercar will have hybrid technology.
  • It will have upgraded dimensions, new features, and a lighter chassis.
  • The Bugatti Chiron successor aims to redefine automotive performance and luxury with a hybrid powertrain.

With Bugatti’s chief designer Achim Anscheidt’s departure, the era of the Bugatti Chiron and Veyron Super Sport comes to a close. The production of the Bugatti Chiron is also ending, but its successor will introduce hybrid technology. The Bugatti Chiron successor will be developed by Bugatti Rimac, a company jointly owned by Bugatti and Rimac, and it will feature a powerful V-8 engine and an electric motor.

The upcoming Bugatti Chiron successor is expected to be spectacular, with upgraded dimensions, cutting-edge technology, unique features, and a leaner chassis. It will retain the iconic Bugatti design elements like the horseshoe grille and C-shaped side bodywork. The transition from the W-16 engine to the V-8 engine will make the car lighter and more agile, promising an enhanced driving experience. The interior will combine elegance and practicality, with modern controls and an advanced infotainment system.

The Bugatti Chiron successor represents a major step towards electrification for the brand. It will combine a gas engine with an electric motor to deliver thrilling acceleration and performance. The hybrid powertrain will also contribute to reduced pollutants and fuel consumption, without compromising on speed. The expected debut year for the Bugatti Chiron successor is 2024, with production starting in 2026. The estimated cost of the hypercar is at least $5 million.

The Bugatti Chiron successor not only continues the legacy of Bugatti but also pushes the boundaries of automotive performance and elegance. The name “Chiron” pays homage to Louis Chiron, a legendary Bugatti racing driver. Like its namesake, the Bugatti Chiron Successor embodies boldness and reinvention. It combines heritage with cutting-edge engineering to create a true masterpiece.+

Motorsport

Jaguar Recognizes Previous Choices Led to Mediocre Results

During a meeting with investors in Gaydon, JLR Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern openly acknowledged the current state of Jaguar. He admitted that past decisions have negatively impacted the company’s success, as their attempt to appeal to a wide range of luxury car buyers and become a British BMW has been unsuccessful. Consequently, this has resulted in the brand being perceived as mediocre with no distinguishing features. Nonetheless, there is a comprehensive strategy in place to rejuvenate the Tata-owned marque.

In an effort to compete with prominent brands like Porsche, Bentley, and Maybach, Jaguar will be moving upmarket. It plans to transform itself into a solely electric brand, focused on producing high-margin, low-volume products. Future vehicles will boast unique and polarizing designs, with Gerry McGovern stating that they will no longer prioritize trying to be universally liked. He emphasized that attempting to please everyone is detrimental and has been a contributing factor to the brand’s recent struggles.


News

Bugatti Chiron designer resigns after 19 years

Achim Anscheidt, the chief of design at Bugatti, has stepped down from his position after overseeing the company’s most ambitious projects for 19 years. Some of the projects he worked on include the Veyron Super Sport, Chiron, and the upcoming successor to the Chiron.

Anscheidt, who became the design director in 2004 after holding various roles at Porsche and Volkswagen, will be replaced by Frank Heyl, his former deputy who was involved in the development of the Chiron. Anscheidt will now serve as a senior advisor to Mate Rimac, the CEO of Bugatti Rimac.

During his time at Bugatti, Anscheidt was responsible for designing numerous special editions of the Bugatti Veyron, as well as the Veyron Super Sport, Chiron, Centodieci, Divo, Mistral, Galibier, and the hybrid-powered successor to the Chiron, which is set to be revealed in 2024. His design philosophy was centered around “proportion, perception, and persistence.”

When discussing his inspiration for the upcoming flagship model, Anscheidt explained, “The Veyron, the Chiron, and the successor to the Chiron all share one thing. They are not race cars for the road. They represent the pinnacle of ‘grand tourisme’ development, embodying a blend of the nimbleness of the Type 35, the luxury of the Type 41 Royale, and the unparalleled elegance of the Type 57 SC Atlantic.”

He expressed his gratitude for being part of Bugatti’s remarkable journey and expressed excitement for what the future holds. He stated, “The best is still to come, and I’m truly thankful to all who supported the brand and our design department in evolving Bugatti to a point where I believe Ettore and Jean [Bugatti] would be proud.”

Throughout his nearly two-decade career, Anscheidt’s focus was on creating cars that were unmistakably identifiable as Bugatti. In an interview with Autocar, he explained, “I believe design is best explained when it follows the philosophy of ‘form follows performance.’ When you reach price segments above £2 million to £4 million, it’s not just about shifting lines up and down. It needs to be something that truly represents the brand – visual cues that can be associated with Bugatti exclusively.”

Motorsport

Porsche US Ex-CEO Might Join Rivian, Reports Say

According to sources familiar with the matter, Kjell Gruner, the former CEO of Porsche Cars North America, is expected to join electric vehicle startup Rivian in an undisclosed role, as reported by Automotive News Europe.

Last week, Gruner left Porsche USA “at his own request” after holding the position for less than three years. During his tenure, he successfully navigated the German sports car manufacturer’s American business through the pandemic and positioned the brand for a record-breaking year in terms of sales. Dealers are projected to sell 80,000 units next year, representing a nearly 15 percent increase compared to 2022.

Prior to his role as CEO in the United States, Gruner served as the vice president of marketing for the parent company Porsche AG starting in 2010. He also held the position of director of strategy at Mercedes-Benz Cars before that.


Motorsport

McLaren Artura Deliveries Delayed to Improve Quality

The McLaren Artura has faced some initial problems, but the Chief Executive Officer, Michael Leiters, has pledged to address them. In an interview last December, Leiters acknowledged that the car was not fully developed, leading to a halt in deliveries and a temporary stop in production to address quality issues.

Unfortunately, the Artura’s past issues continue to impact its delivery schedule. Automotive News obtained a memo sent by McLaren to dealers in the United States, informing them of delayed deliveries to customers. On average, buyers can expect a four-month delay, with some cars originally scheduled for May now pushed back to September. McLaren spokesperson Roger Ormisher confirmed this information.


News, Technology

Cloudflare CEO Claims Twitter’s Traffic Is Declining

According to Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince, Twitter is experiencing a significant decrease in traffic. Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been using Threads, a rival platform, to poke fun at Tesla CEO Elon Musk and discuss the possibility of Threads replacing Twitter. Zuckerberg responded to a user’s analysis of Twitter’s monthly active users and its role as a public space by stating his belief in the potential for a town square app with over one billion users. He expressed surprise that Threads has gained traction in just a few days.

In response to speculation that Twitter has censored Threads, Zuckerberg simply replied with a concerned emoji followed by laughter. He has also expressed his desire for Threads to be a positive space with genuine interactions, in contrast to the anger and toxicity prevalent on Twitter.

A significant distinction between Threads and Instagram is that Threads has stricter content restrictions, similar to Instagram, while Twitter allows explicit content. Despite this, Threads seems determined to maintain its momentum and has already launched a beta program for Android. Additionally, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has confirmed that various features, including a chronological feed and a following feed, are currently being developed for Threads.

News

Nissan GT-R designer creates lightweight, 483bhp EV sports car

Shiro Nakamura, the former chief designer at Nissan, will unveil a new compact two-seat electric sports car called the AIM EV Sport 01 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car is known for its impressive performance and lightweight design.

Nakamura, who retired as vice-president of Nissan in 2017, has an extensive background in automotive design, having overseen the creation of popular models such as the Cube, Qashqai, Leaf, and GT-R. He now leads the independent design outfit SN Design Platform.

The AIM EV Sport 01, developed for Nagoya-based engineering firm AIM, aims to provide an engaging driving experience. Currently undergoing dynamic testing, the car will make its debut on the Goodwood hillclimb.

The EV Sport 01 weighs 1425kg and features two liquid-cooled, high-performance electric motors. Each rear wheel is powered by one motor, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 10,000rpm. The motors draw power from an 81kWh battery split into four packs, delivering a combined output of 483bhp and 582lb ft of torque. These figures are typically seen in larger and heavier vehicles, suggesting that the EV Sport 01 will likely achieve a sub-6.0 second 0-62mph time.

To reduce weight, the car incorporates lightweight materials in its body panels and monocoque chassis, such as carbon fiber. Additionally, aluminum is used extensively in the car’s frame.

ToyotaUk

Joby Marks Production Launch, Receives Permit to Fly First Aircraft Built on Production Line in Close Collaboration with Strategic Partner and Investor, Toyota

Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor North America, will join Joby’s Board of Directors on July 1, 2023

Santa Cruz, Calif. (Jun 28, 2023) — Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company that develops all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, announced today that it has obtained a Special Airworthiness Certificate for its first aircraft manufacturing in Marina, California. The certificate, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, permits Joby to commence flight testing of its initial production prototype.

In recognition of Toyota’s crucial involvement in the development of Joby’s Pilot Production Line and its contribution to the manufacturing and assembly of Joby aircraft, Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor North America, will join over 1,000 guests and team members at Joby’s Marina facility later today to celebrate the start of production.

Ogawa, who is set to join Joby’s Board of Directors on July 1, 2023, expressed his congratulations on Joby’s achievement and expressed his eagerness to strengthen their collaboration as Joby prepares for the expansion of production and the launch of operations.

Toyota is the largest external shareholder of Joby, having invested approximately $400 million in the company. The two companies recently signed a long-term agreement for the supply of powertrain and actuation components.

For more information, please visit: https://www.jobyaviation.com/news/joby-production-launch-permit-to-fly-first-aircraft-on-production-line/

Lamborghini

Lamborghini Revuelto: The Birth of the First V12 Hybrid Plug-in

Federico Foschini, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, shares the story behind Lamborghini’s first V12 hybrid plug-in, the Revuelto

Sant’Agata Bolognese, June 01, 2023 – On March 29, Lamborghini introduced the Revuelto, a groundbreaking V12 plug-in hybrid HPEV. Federico Foschini, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Automobili Lamborghini, provides insight into the project and the positioning strategy for the model in a series of three short films.

“The history of Lamborghini is truly magical,” says Foschini. “This iconic brand gained fame through revolutionary cars that pushed the boundaries of automotive innovation. These vehicles surpassed their time and left a lasting impact on the market. For us, innovation is essential, and with the Revuelto, we are embracing electrification while remaining true to our DNA of delivering thrilling driving experiences and exceptional performance. This car represents Lamborghini’s take on the electrification trend, hence the name HPEV: High Performance Electrified Vehicle.”

[1] The Revuelto is not available for purchase yet and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC. Fuel consumption and emissions data are still in the approval stage.