2018 Geneva Motor Show: Bugatti Chiron Sport

The 2018 Geneva International Motor Show is now open, and it's off to a blistering start, courtesy of Bugatti, which has unveiled the new Chiron Sport. The French supercar maker promises the car is more agile and quicker on corners than its 'base' model, the Chiron.

The Chiron Sport benefits from a new dynamic handling package and a weight loss of about 18 kilograms. The new dynamic handling package, which starts with a revised and stiffer suspension, includes a new control strategy for the shock absorbers that react 10 percent more stiffly than the 'base' Chiron. The steering has also been modified without sacrificing its outstanding direct feel and calculable performance. These new settings only take effect when the Chiron Sport is in the "Handling" mode.

As for the 18-kilo weight reduction, the increased use of carbon fiber parts are primarily to blame. Bugatti now uses the material in the stabilizer, intercooler cover and newly-developed windscreen wipers. The Chiron Sport also features lighter glass in the rear window and a new, lighter exhaust deflector.

All these improvements help make the Chiron Sport more responsive and faster on corners than the "base" model. Five seconds faster, in fact. At the Nardò handling circuit in Italy, the super sports car can reach its full handling potential, taking on corners at speeds in excess of 200 kph.

Although there's a vast improvement in the car's handling capabilities, power and performance numbers of the Chiron Sport are the same as that of the standard version.

"We have developed the Chiron Sport for customers wanting an even sportier driving experience with their Chiron, with improved lateral dynamics on winding roads," said Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. "What was important for us was to leave unchanged the unique character of the Chiron, its combination of ultimate performance, longitudinal acceleration and maximum speed with luxury, comfort and everyday usability."

"The Chiron Sport has become perceptibly more nimble and its new agility, especially in tight corners makes for a much more emotional experience for the driver on winding roads and handling circuits," Winkelmann continues.

The starting price is roughly $3.4 million (nearly P177 million) for the Chiron Sport, or $400,000 (over P20 million) more than the Bugatti Chiron. The French car brand is part of the Volkswagen Group.