Summary Reader Response Draft 1

The article “Bugatti Chiron review - the final generation of Bugatti's W16 masterpiece" by Meaden (2023) provides an overview of the Bugatti Chiron, a high-performance supercar recognized for its exceptional performance. The vehicle is equipped with a robust 16-cylinder engine that produces an astounding 1479 horsepower and 1180 lb-ft of torque. In March 2016, Bugatti introduced the Chiron, a vehicle that showcased a significant enhancement in power, surpassing the Veryon by 50%. This achievement was made possible through the revamped 8.0-liter W16 engine and larger turbochargers (Bugatti, 2022). According to Dorian and Clarke (2022), the Bugatti Chiron accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour (mph) in 2.3 seconds and it achieves a top speed of 261 mph. The article by Meaden (2023) goes on to praise the Chiron's engine as a remarkable accomplishment in the realm of engineering, delivering immediate power throughout all engine speeds (Jason, 2015). Perkins (2022) attributes this to the "sequential setup" of turbochargers, which involves the utilisation of two turbos to optimize performance during lower engine speeds, specifically up to 3800 revolutions per minute (rpm). Upon reaching this threshold, the valve opens and activates the two remaining turbochargers (Perkins, 2022). This design maintains peak torque output within the RPM range of 2000 to 6000 (Philip, 2022).

The W16 engine of the Bugatti Chiron, in conjunction with its advanced turbocharger system, represents a pinnacle of automotive engineering. The quad-turbocharger system assumes a pivotal role in facilitating the engine's optimal air intake, thereby allowing the Chiron to fully harness the engine's complete capacity while maintaining its aerodynamic body.

Heywood (2018) supports the thesis that the maximum power output in an engine is limited by the volume of efficient fuel combustion. This limitation is directly influenced by the amount of air introduced into each cylinder. This concept becomes relevant when examining engines like the Chiron's, which need a significant amount of air to achieve optimal combustion at low speeds. The Chiron achieves high airflow by utilizing four turbochargers, each contributing a horsepower equivalent of "380 PS" (Bugatti, 2022).

Nguyen-Schäfer (2015) explains how turbochargers function as air pumps, delivering compressed air into the engine. The engine redirects the exhaust gases towards the turbochargers instead of directly routing them to the exhaust pipe. This allows for the expansion of the exhaust gases and the rotation of the turbine blades within the turbocharger. The turbine also powers an air compressor. The compressor draws in cold, clean air from a vent and compresses it (Nguyen-Schäfer, 2015). An investigation by Alrwashdeh et al. (2022) found a direct correlation between increased turbocharger pressure and combustion efficiency in an engine. The result is a concentrated air supply rich in oxygen, which enters the combustion chamber smoothly, improving the fuel combustion process and maximizing the performance of the Bugatti W16 engine.

The Chiron's design, which includes four two-stage turbochargers, effectively addressed the initial challenges of turbocharger design. According to Maurya et al. (2023), single-stage turbocharging has design limitations at low engine speeds, which restricts the overall efficiency of turbocharging. The maximum boost pressure that can be achieved in a single-stage turbocharger is limited to 2.5 bar. Two-stage turbochargers increase intake air pressure, improving turbocharging efficiency. Bugatti implemented a turbocharging system with four individual dual-stage turbos. This design aimed to ensure sufficient boost pressure for air intakes across all engine rpm ranges.

The quad-turbo system, known for its innovation, effectively provides the engine with a sufficient amount of air. This allows Bugatti to optimise the vehicle's aerodynamics without compromising, eliminating the need for extra openings in the chassis. Bugatti has successfully engineered the chassis to minimise aerodynamic drag and maximise downforce (Bugatti, 2022). The achievement was accomplished by redesigning the vehicle's body compared to its predecessor, the Veyron, and reducing the drag coefficient. The integration of the quad-turbo system into the aerodynamic body showcases the Chiron's status as an automotive masterpiece.

The use of turbochargers has been shown to enhance engine efficiency, but it is important to acknowledge that this improvement comes with additional maintenance demands. According to Garret (n.d), a renowned turbocharger manufacturer, "more than 90%" of turbocharger failures are caused by oil-related issues, such as oil starvation or oil contamination. Turbochargers use engine oil to lubricate their bearings, which control the high-speed rotation of the turbines for extended periods of time. Engine oil has the capacity to carry tiny particles, like carbon, that come from the process of combustion. These particles have abrasive properties and slowly wear down the turbocharger. The life expectancy of mechanical components is influenced by various factors, including oil contamination, which can accelerate turbo wear and tear. Therefore, the implementation of a quad-turbocharger system would require constant checks and maintenance to minimize the risk of catastrophic failure.

The Bugatti Chiron's quad-turbocharger system plays a crucial role in seamlessly combining power and aerodynamics. This innovative system maximizes engine performance while maintaining the vehicle's aerodynamic design. It serves as evidence of how engineering innovation can combine performance and aerodynamics to achieve automotive excellence.

References:

Meaden, R. (2023). Bugatti Chiron Review - the final generation of Bugatti’s W16 masterpiece. evo. 

https://www.evo.co.uk/bugatti/chiron 

Bugatti. (2022, July 29). Bugatti W16 engine – the last of its kind – Bugatti newsroom. – Bugatti Newsroom. https://newsroom.bugatti.com/press-releases/bugatti-w16-engine-the-last-of-its-kind 

Dorian, D., & Clarke, W. (2022). 2022 Bugatti Chiron Review, pricing, and Specs - Car and driver. 2022 Bugatti Chiron. https://www.caranddriver.com/bugatti/chiron 

Perkins, C. (2022, December 31). What ever happened to sequential turbocharging? - road & track. What Ever Happened to Sequential Turbocharging? https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a42363092/what-ever-happened-to-sequential-turbocharging/  

Philip, U. (2022, Jul 28). Everything You Need To Know About Bugatti’s 8.0-Liter Quad-Turbo W16 Engine. https://www.hotcars.com/bugattis-80-liter-quad-turbo-w16-engine/ 

Heywood, J. B. (2018). 6.8.1 SUPERCHARGING AND TURBOCHARGING. In Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals (pp. 47–47). essay, McGraw-Hill Education. 

Nguyen-Schäfer, H. (2015, May 16). Rotordynamics of automotive turbochargers. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-17644-4  

Alrwashdeh, S. S., Al-falahat, A. M., & Murtadha, T. K. (2022a). Effect of turbocharger 

compression ratio on performance of the spark-ignition internal combustion engine. Emerging 

Science Journal. https://ijournalse.org/index.php/ESJ/article/view/915  

Maurya, A., Srivastava, A. K., Jha, P. K., & Pandey, S. M. (2023). Intake Boosting Techniques in Internal Combustion Engines to Increase Engine Performance. In Recent Trends in Mechanical Engineering. Springer Singapore Pte. Limited. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7709-1_35  

Garret. (n.d). Why do turbochargers fail?. Garrett Motion. https://www.garrettmotion.com/knowledge-center-category/turbo-replacement/why-do-turbochargers-fail/