Bugatti has produced some of the most iconic and powerful cars in history. Among its crown jewels stands the Bugatti Divo, a car that isn’t just about speed, but about sculpted performance, rarity, and razor-sharp handling. Born from the DNA of the Chiron but developed with a sharper focus on agility and aerodynamics, the Divo represents a new chapter in Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
A Design That Commands Attention
At first glance, the Bugatti Divo looks like something out of a futuristic dream. It takes the familiar silhouette of the Chiron and turns up the aggression. The design is more angular, more dramatic, and unmistakably more purposeful. With larger front air intakes, a more prominent rear spoiler, and a revised diffuser, every inch of the Divo’s bodywork serves an aerodynamic function.
The car is named after French racing driver Albert Divo, who famously won the Targa Florio twice for Bugatti in the 1920s. The Divo honors this legacy by not just being a straight-line monster like the Chiron, but by mastering the art of cornering. To do that, Bugatti re-engineered many aspects of the vehicle to make it more nimble on tight, technical tracks.
Weight Reduction and Aerodynamic Enhancements
One of the key differences between the Chiron and the Divo lies in the focus on weight reduction and aerodynamics. The Divo is 35 kg (77 lbs) lighter than the Chiron. While this may not sound like a dramatic cut, every gram counts in the hypercar world. Bugatti achieved this by using lighter wheels, a carbon fiber intercooler cover, and stripping out some of the luxury elements like sound insulation and certain comfort features.
The result is a car that clings to the tarmac like a race car. Its massive fixed rear wing—significantly larger than the Chiron’s—provides increased downforce, up to 456 kg in total. This added aerodynamic efficiency helps the Divo slice through corners with unrelenting precision.
The Heart: An 8.0-Liter W16 Quad-Turbocharged Engine
Under the hood, the Divo shares the same monstrous powerplant as the Chiron: an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine that produces a staggering 1,479 horsepower and 1,600 Nm of torque. That power is delivered through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel-drive system, propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 2.4 seconds.
While the Divo sacrifices a bit of top speed compared to the Chiron—electronically limited to 380 km/h (236 mph) instead of the Chiron’s 420 km/h—it more than makes up for it in handling and cornering performance. In fact, the Divo is 8 seconds faster than the Chiron on the Nardò handling circuit, showcasing its track-focused engineering.
A Cabin Focused on Driving
Inside, the Divo is unmistakably Bugatti—luxurious yet minimalist. Unlike the Chiron’s plush cabin designed for comfort during high-speed grand touring, the Divo’s interior is more focused and stripped down. The seats offer greater lateral support for high-speed cornering, and the materials used lean more towards lightweight Alcantara and carbon fiber than opulent leather and metal.
Every control is geared toward the driving experience. From the thick steering wheel to the perfectly positioned paddle shifters, it’s clear this is a driver’s car through and through.
Rarity and Exclusivity
Bugatti Divo 40 units were ever made, and all were sold out within weeks of its 2018 unveiling, despite a price tag of €5 million (approximately $5.8 million). For collectors and enthusiasts, the Divo is more than a car—it’s a piece of automotive history.
Each unit was customizable, allowing owners to tailor the car to their personal tastes, ensuring that no two Divos are exactly the same. This rarity only adds to the allure and value of the vehicle, making it one of the most sought-after hypercars of the modern era.
Final Thoughts
The Bugatti Divo is not just a faster Chiron—it’s a completely different beast. It’s a testament to Bugatti’s ability to evolve, to refine, and to surprise. It’s a hypercar for those who want to feel the road, not just blur past it.
With its stunning design, jaw-dropping performance, and unmatched exclusivity, the Bugatti Divo is a true masterpiece—a fusion of speed, art, and engineering brilliance that will be remembered as one of the finest creations of the hypercar age.