The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is as close to a track‑day special as Bugatti will get for now

‘Corners and country roads’ are set firmly in the Pur Sport’s sights, and they’re not the only thing that’s firm, for the manufacturer has stiffened up the front springs by 65 per cent, and the rear by 33 per cent, while also adjusting the adaptive dampers to be more performance-focussed. Modified ‘camber values’ promise more dynamic handling and added agility, while carbon-fibre stabilisers at the front and rear further minimise roll. According to yesterday’s press release, the ‘connection between chassis, suspension and body is now 130 per cent firmer at the front and 77 per cent firmer at the rear’.

“We spoke to customers and realised they wanted a vehicle that is geared even more towards agility and dynamic cornering,” said President of Bugatti Stephan Winkelmann. “A hypersports car that yearns for country roads with as many bends as possible. An unadulterated, uncompromising driving machine. Consequently, the vehicle is called Chiron Pur Sport.”

The Pur Sport purports to be the perfect antidote to the ultra-high-speed Chiron Super Sport 300, which set a new production car speed record of 304.773mph in the hands of Bugatti tester Andy Wallace at the Ehra-Lessien test track in Germany last year. But that’s not to say it isn’t powerful – the 8.0-litre W16 produces 1,500PS (1,479bhp) and 1,600Nm (1180lb ft) of torque, with a 200rpm raised redline to 6,900rpm.

A revised transmission featuring a closer overall gear ratio improves power distribution, with the Pur Sport unleashing full power at 350km/h. In conjunction with the raised rpm, this allows the model to accelerate from 60 to 120km/h almost two seconds faster than the Chiron.

“We reconfigured each gear and calibrated new ratios despite this iconic engine boasting an abundance of power,” head of major assemblies at Bugatti, Gregor Gries, explained. “The gears are closer together now to enable shorter gear jumps and also benefit performance. Most of all when coming out of corners the Chiron Pur Sport accelerates even more aggressively in conjunction with the added grip as well as the more direct chassis and suspension.”

A 3D printed titanium exhaust will sing, while also contributing to a 50-odd-kg total weight reduction. This reduction is also aided by a fixed – as opposed to hydraulic – rear spoiler, which shaves 10kg. At 1.9 metres wide, this spoiler works with the diffuser to generate bucketloads of downforce and aid aerodynamics.

The front, meanwhile, boasts wide air inlets, the typical horseshoe-shaped air outlet, and a downforce-maximising splitter. Optimising both form and function, these components come with an optional split paintwork design combining exposed carbon-fibre and dark surfaces.

A new magnesium wheel design (with optional aero blades), reduce weight by 16kg, while titanium brake pad base panels, cut weight by 2kg, and the brake discs dissolve yet another kg. Thanks to an exclusive Bugatti Sport Cup 2 R tyre, the Pur Sport’s lateral acceleration is reportedly increased by 10 per cent.

The interior is as naked as can be, in order to save yet more weight. A fine coating of Alcantara is complemented by contrast stitching and anodised aluminium or titanium controls.

In terms of the behind the wheel experience, the Pur Sport adds a new Sport+ drive mode to the pre-existing EB, Motorway, Handling and Sport selections. Claiming to make ‘this enhanced performance more emotionally tangible’, Sport + sees traction control kick in significantly later, allowing skilled drivers to perform show-off drifts through fast corners.