Bugatti Scrapped 1,341-HP "MegaWatt" Veyron Due to Technical Challenges

Bugatti originally planned to launch a final "MegaWatt Veyron" version before ending Veyron production, boosting its 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine to 1,341 horsepower (approximately 1 megawatt)—surpassing the then-most-powerful Super Sport (1,183 hp). This model could have become the world’s first "megawatt-class" production car, debuting ahead of the Koenigsegg One:1 in 2014. However, Ferdinand Piëch, then CEO of Volkswagen Group, demanded further increases—pushing output to 1,479 hp to achieve a top speed of 279 mph (450 km/h). This required extensive redesign of the car’s body and structure, ultimately leading to the project’s cancellation. Instead, Bugatti shifted focus to its successor, the Chiron, which launched with 1,479 hp and later reached 1,578 hp in its Super Sport variant, setting a record of 304 mph (490 km/h) in 2019. Now, under new CEO Mate Rimac, Bugatti may revive its top-speed challenge, targeting 500 km/h—but must overcome new hurdles such as tire limitations and suitable test facilities.