Bugatti Veyron successor to be named ‘Chiron’?

Bugatti has allegedly chosen a name for its Veyron 16.4 successor, potentially calling the new supercar the ‘Chiron.’

First reported by Car and Driver, the nameplate appears to pay homage to legendary Grand Prix driver Louis Chiron. The term can also be found in Greek mythology as the name of a centaur.

The French automaker already has a model of the same name, the 18/3 Chiron concept that was previewed in 1999. Introduced with a 6.3-liter 18-cylinder engine, Chiron’s form was eventually tweaked to produce the 18-4 Veyron concept — named after 1930s Bugatti driver Pierre Veyron.

Recent reports suggest the next Bugatti model will be powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain, taking advantage of a revamped 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine with an electric turbocharger. The setup is expected to produce nearly 1,500 horsepower, potentially propelling the car up to 460 kmph.