The Bugatti Divo is a coach-built hyper sports car that represents the pinnacle of performance and exclusivity. As Bugatti puts it: “Divo is made for corners.” Engineered to deliver blistering acceleration and tenaciously grip the road, the Divo outperforms even the formidable Bugatti Chiron on winding tracks despite packing the same quad-turbo 8.0L W16 engine.

With only 40 ever slated for production – all of which sold out within days of the Divo’s 2018 unveiling – this hypercar commands a multi-million dollar price tag befitting its status as an unattainable object of desire. Let’s take an in-depth look at what makes the Divo special.

Bugatti Divo vs. Chiron: How Do They Compare?

The Divo shares much of its underlying engineering with the Chiron. But where the Chiron prioritizes top speed and straight-line acceleration, the Divo favors lateral grip and handling.

Check out this comparison of some key performance specs:

While the Divo matches the Chiron’s straight-line acceleration, its aerodynamic tweaks and chassis modifications allow it to corner harder and beat the Chiron’s lap times. But that improved lateral grip comes at the cost of a lower top speed.

The Divo also commands roughly double the price of the “standard” Chiron. Then again, given that the Divo sold out instantly with just 40 slated for production compared to 500 Chirons, exclusivity factors heavily into the pricing.

Now let’s explore some of the key details that set the Divo apart.

Aggressively Sculpted Composite Bodywork

The Divo introduces an even more extreme take on the Bugatti design language. Its silhouette stays low, long, and wide like the Chiron, but fresh aggressive details abound.

Active air intakes flank the grille at front while an enormous rear diffuser and fixed rear wing dominate the tail. The carbon fiber side scoops aft of the doors feed air directly to the turbo intercoolers. And the sweeping indent running along the roof and down the rear glass creates a visual split distinguishing the Divo from its siblings.

These sculptural forms don’t just captivate the eye. They also manipulate airflow to increase downforce by a considerable 90 kg compared to the Chiron at the Divo’s top speed. Between clever aero and a wider track, the enhanced chassis generates more lateral grip to help the Divo effortlessly carve winding canyon roads.

A Stiffened Lightweight Chassis Tuned for Agility

Building off the carbon fiber monocoque structure of the Chiron, Bugatti reinforces the Divo’s chassis for a stiffer foundation. This allows for more precise suspension tuning without compromise. Lightweight tech like a carbon fiber intercooler cover and new wheels derived from Bugatti’s experience in motorsports help pare unsprung mass as well.

The Divo’s chassis also features a wider front and rear track for enhanced cornering power. Combined with a revised multi-link suspension set up with tighter springs and stabilizers, the Divo delivers sharper turn-in response and flatter cornering compared to the Chiron. Larger front brakes sourced from the Chiron Sport lend the stopping power to back up the Divo’s improved agility.

Unique Chassis Visible Through “X-Ray” Paint Scheme

The Divo’s $6 million price tag grants owners extensive customization options of course. One of the more intriguing finishes revealed in launch photos features what Bugatti dubs “X-Ray” paintwork.

Here, a thin semi-transparent layer of customer-chosen paint allows the beautiful technical details of the Divo’s carbon chassis to shine through. The weave of the carbon fiber composite “skeleton” contrasts sublimely with the rich exterior hue. Expect exotic metals and leather complementing whatever color the owner selects inside the cabin as well.

Just 8 Seconds Faster yet a World Apart from the Chiron

In the specialists’ own words, their goal was: “to develop a super sports car that’s even faster than the Chiron on winding roads but offering similar easy handling at high speeds.”

The fruit of their labor? A vehicle claimed to be just 8 seconds quicker over a twisting 4 mile circuit compared to the formidable Chiron. Make no mistake though – extracting even higher performance from an already potent recipe required immense engineering efforts. The resulting Divo represents a totally distinct branch of the Bugatti family tree.

Between the exclusive clientele buying these coach-built specials compared to 500 “mass produced” Chirons, the badges on their tail don’t fully capture how different these hypercars feel on the road.

Ready to Take On All Comers

Despite being bred as a curve-carving instrument rather than an apex straight-line predator, the Divo still packs the weapons for sparring with the fastest production vehicles roaming roads today.

Its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine outputs the same colossal 1,103 kW (1,479 horsepower) and 1,600 Nm of torque as the Chiron. Independent dyno tests showed those figures actually undersell what the W16 can truly output though. Needless to say, silencing critics questioning if the Divo lost any of the Chiron’s crushing acceleration doesn’t appear an issue.

But just like comparing their lap times around a handling circuit doesn’t fully demonstrate the Divo’s capabilities, pitting acceleration metrics against its hypercar rivals fails to capture the whole picture as well.

The way the Divo builds speed with such ferocity yet still communicates clearly at the limit inspires utmost confidence pushing harder into curves lap after lap. Drivers may chase the numbers posting the quickest times initially during track sessions in the Divo. But what they’ll come back for again and again is the feeling guiding this masterpiece through complex sections synthesizing man and machine.

Divo Specifications Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Divo unique compared to the Chiron?

The Divo prioritizes lateral grip and quicker lap times on winding tracks over the Chiron’s emphasis on top speed and straight-line acceleration. It features an aggressive aero kit with 90kg more downforce along with a wider track and specially tuned chassis.

How many Divos exist?

Bugatti is producing only 40 Divo models in total, all of which sold out within days after the hypercar’s unveiling despite the roughly $6 million price.

What engine does the Divo use?

The Divo features the same quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine powering the Chiron, producing 1,479hp and 1,180lb-ft of torque.

How fast can the Divo accelerate and what’s its top speed?

Bugatti claims a 0-60mph time under 2.4 seconds thanks to its mighty powertrain. However, the Divo’s top speed is electronically limited to 350km/h or 217mph due to the extreme downforce it produces.

Does the Divo offer any customization options?

Yes. Given the Divo’s multi-million dollar price and ultra exclusive status, Bugatti invites great customization of the paintwork and interior materials to client desires during the coachbuilding process for each example.

What is the X-Ray paint scheme?

The X-Ray paint finish is a unique dual-tone look offered to Divo clients. Here, the carbon fiber chassis is visible through a thin layer of semi-transparent paint, creating a distinctive contrast showing off the technical foundations underpinning the coach-built bodywork.

How does the Divo’s handling compare to the Chiron?

The Divo delivers markedly improved handling capabilities versus the already impressive Chiron. Through chassis tweaks like a wider track and reinforced carbon fiber monocoque, the Divo generates higher lateral g-forces when cornering along with better turn-in response. This allows it to lap winding tracks a full 8 seconds quicker than the Chiron despite having similar straight-line acceleration.

What is the Divo’s 0-60mph time?

Bugatti claims the Divo accelerates from 0-60mph in under 2.4 seconds. Motoring journalists who have tested the Chiron estimate its 0-60mph sprint occupies around 2.3 seconds to put the estimate into perspective. The Divo’s acceleration matches its sibling while its top speed is constrained by increased downforce.

Does the Divo offer any driver aids?

Yes, given extremely powerful engines outputting considerable horsepower, Bugatti equips both the Divo and Chiron with advanced driver aids to enhance control. These include ESC stability control, ABS brakes, an automatic lifting system to avoid scraping the front, and a rear-view camera. Bugatti notes drivers can fully disable these systems as well.

Where was the Divo revealed and shown?

Bugatti first presented the Divo to prospective clients at an exclusive private viewing at The Quail during Monterey Car Week in August 2018. It then officially debuted to the general public shortly after at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where a pre-production Divo prototype drew massive crowds on the concept lawn.

Conclusion: The Definitive Hardcore Track Bugatti

In conclusion, the ferociously fast Bugatti Divo represents a coach-built Chiron tuned to dominate winding tracks rather than chase top speed records in straight lines. The fact it can still accelerate from 0-60mph just as rapidly as the Chiron despite considerable aero modifications highlights what a feat of engineering this hypercar embodies.

Weighing performance, exclusivity, and sheer presence, the Divo claims the crown as the definitive track-oriented Bugatti model. Its stripped-out ethos shines whether attacking corners or screaming down straights thanks to one of the mightiest engines ever placed in a production automobile. Yet its outrageous multi-million dollar price and sold out ultra-limited 40 unit production run places this hypercar firmly out of reach for all but the most elite collectors.

For deep pocketed enthusiasts focused solely on lap times though, the Divo’s capabilities justify costs handily. It stands ready to outpace any challengers around tight circuits while still threatening long-standing speed records in a straight line.