$3.4 million Bugatti Chiron on display at Toronto Auto Show

Got an extra $3.4-million laying around? Then you might want to head down to the Toronto Auto Show this weekend to see how much car that can get you. If you’re budget conscious, that kind of scratch will buy you about 140 of Canada’s best-selling car, the Honda Accord. Or it will buy you one of Canada’s worst-selling cars: the 2017 Bugatti Chiron.

Originally a concept car from 1999 that was named in honor of the late race car driver Louis Chiron, this Bugatti is, frankly, ridiculous. This 1500 horsepower two-seater will take you from a standstill to 62 miles-per-hour in less than 2.5 seconds, in case you are really late for your flight from Pearson. It has an engine that vaguely resembles the Death Star, and six catalytic converters that boast a total surface area that is equal to 43 (American) football fields. The carbon fibre masterpiece has wheels that were specially developed by Michelin to handle its power.

“Much has changed on the surface and underneath, but the essential mission has not: Use prodigious horsepower rendered by exotic technology and delivered by four-wheel drive to engender shock and awe in high-net-worth people, two at a time,” says Car and Driver of the Chiron. “Unlike recent Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche hypercars, Bugatti’s doesn’t go in for any of that hybrid stuff. A battery? Sure, the Chiron has one. It starts the engine.”

Bugatti plans to sell just 500 Chirons, and says about 30 per cent of the buyers will come from the United States. Five of the buyers are Canadian, reports Auto Trader. The average buyer, it goes without saying, is a filthy rich car fanatic. Saudi Prince Badr bin Saud, by way of example, recently posted a picture of his to his Instagram account.

“Many of these guys have 10 Ferraris, all the McLarens, they have all the other supercars,” says Bugatti design director Achim Anscheidt. “The Bugatti is often the cherry in the collection.”

The Bugatti is the cherry of the Toronto Auto Show’s collection this year, but it isn’t the only “Supercar” on display. There are actually 15 cars worth more than a million dollars, including a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra, a Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona, a 1978 Walter Wolf WR6, an Aston Martin-Red Bull Hypercar Concept AM-RB 001, and a 1951 GM Le Sabre Concept.
“In addition to all of the great vehicles people drive on a daily basis that can be found out on our show floor, we try to showcase some really unique vehicles in our feature exhibits,” says the Auto Show’s General Manager Jason Campbell. “People should have the chance to explore both their daily rides and dream cars all in one place. They can do that more than ever at this year’s show.”

The Canadian International AutoShow is now in its 44th year. This year’s event will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre between February 17th and 26th.

Below: 2017 Bugatti Chiron – Start Up, Exhaust & In Depth Review