Bugatti Bolide (1600 hp) roars in the rain at Imola! (video)

The Bugatti Bolide is back! Turn up the volume as the 1,600 horsepower W16 engine of Molsheim’s future “pistar” car whizzes past, being tested on the wet Imola circuit. A chance to take a closer look at its new braking system.

Unveiled as a concept car in 2020, the Bugatti Bolide was clever until spring 2023 and the launch of its pilot phase, with the first video to begin.

Several months later, “pistarde” hypercar conceived by Bugatti took the song again, this time on the side Circuit of Imolawhere the Grand Prix will take placeSystem 1 of Emilia-Romagna after a forced break due to flooding. And it rained again, as evidenced by video below !

Bugatti Bolide: how is its braking system designed?

On the occasion of this new test phase, Bugatti is once again focusing on some tests secret of his Bolide. Therefore, after opening the doors to the passenger compartment or explaining the structure of the carbon monocoque, the hypercar and 1,600 horsepower it reveals to us more details close to him brake made by Brembo.

As a result, after two years of development and the engineers of the Italian manufacturer, it is a system carbon-carbon compared to the technology used LMH and LMDh hypercars organized in WEC, and also in F1.

The biggest carbon to carbon brakes ever made

The discs in front of the Bolide are the biggest carbon to carbon brakes ever made, with two eight-piston monobloc calipers, each with four high-performance 25mm pads, and 390 x 37.5mm carbon discs. Calipers are machined in aluminum alloy and nickel plated.

The back is also equipped two monoblock brake cabinets, with only six pistons and four extra thin 24.5 cm high performance pads. The calipers are complemented by large 390 x 34mm carbon discs.

“Developing the Bugatti Bolide’s braking system has presented a unique and exciting challenge for the Brembo Performance department, and we are proud of what we have accomplished,” say Mario AlmondoCOO de Brembo performance.

“We had to rethink the entire system to adapt it to the incredible and demanding characteristics and capabilities of this car. The front caliper, for example, is in my eyes a masterpiece of engineering, being the largest caliper we have ever installed on a race car. »

“The use of carbon materials similar to those of the Formula 1 allowed us, despite the size and power of the Bolide, to provide the lightest possible structure. »

Each disc weighs only 3.175 kg!

The engineering team thus reduced the overall weighteach disk weighing only 3.175kg. The brake system also has thermal conductivity that removes heat well during hard braking. This prevents brake icing and provides stable performance, even in adverse conditions.

Breaking Bolide is not limited to calipers, pads and discs. Each part is compared to the others to work as a whole, which includes the main cylinders and fluids that improve the dynamics.

Engineers also played an important role in designing the air intakes leading to the brakes to adjust the air flow according to the needs of its braking system. Collaboration with Brembo has improved cooling. To cool the brakes, 85 to 90 percent of the air flow is directed to the rotors and pads, while a small portion is directed to the brake calipers.

The Bolide was tested in the rain at Imola

The brake evaluation made it possible to investigate possible abuse situations – when the anti-skid system intervenes frequently. This evaluation involved a detailed examination of the Bolide’s ‘Wet’ condition.

This driving mode subtly adjusts the control system, makes the car adapt to slippery surfaces by influencing the undercarriage, and activates a light similar to the red rear light of a Formula 1 single seater.

“I am extremely proud of the completed design work of the Bolide, a supercar intended for the circuit that embodies the DNA of Bugatti’s racing cars,” he announced Emilio CervoChief Technology Officer de Bugatti Rimac.

“We have created, in collaboration with Brembo, a braking system that not only meets Bolide’s needs, but even exceeds them. Our collaboration has resulted in excellent work, and their innovative technology perfectly matches our vision. Bolide’s braking system is a key element that improves Bugatti’s racing heritage »

Enjoy the video of the Bugatti Bolide being tested on the Imola track:

Source: Bugatti