Travelling in a road-going sports car capable of 400 km/h, you have to be sure of its safety. The development team behind the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 have revealed some more details of the forthcoming "super-supercar", this time its safety-cell system. A one-piece ‘survival cell’ monocoque in carbon fibre is connected to front and rear sub-structures.

Dr Wolfgang Schreiber of Bugatti explains, "The torsional stiffness of the chassis from axle to axle amounts to 60,000 Nm per degree. That’s around double the figure of most modern production sports cars. This outstanding rigidity means extraordinarily precise handling through bends, and very good stability under braking and acceleration".

The concept of the greatest possible safety and security is continued with the door architecture. They consist of a metal fabrication clothed in an aluminium skin. The effect of this is an "integrated impact carrier", something that makes the penetration of the doors in an accident so much more difficult. Special "Crash Claws" around the door lock area ensure the full forces of a collision are carried by the entire passenger structure.

Further information from Bugatti on the Veyron 16.4 is expected in the coming weeks.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Bugatti