It’s been four years since we discovered the McLaren Speedtail. The fourth member of the McLaren Ultimate series was one of the most powerful in the lineup, with F1-derived seating quirks. It may be a relatively aging vehicle, but the limited production run of 106 units makes the Speedtail nameplate a rare sight.
While we’re on the subject of aging nameplates, today’s video features a Bugatti Chiron. The Chiron and McLaren Speedtail line up on a newly constructed drag strip, courtesy of Brooks of DragTimes and the crew of The Triple F Collection. Together, these cars cost around $8 million.
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Although they both sport a blue tint, these European hypercars look very different underneath. The McLaren Speedtail is driven by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain, capable of producing up to 1,036 horsepower (762 kilowatts). This power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed DCT.
Meanwhile, the Bugatti Chiron has a very significant power gap here compared to the McLaren. With an 8.0-liter W16 four-turbocharged mill behind the seats, it produces around 1,500 hp (1,103 kW), sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed DCT.
With so much power available on tap that can roam all four corners, you’d think the Chiron would take this one easily from the Speedtail. That’s until you realize the Bugatti weighs over 800 pounds (363 kilograms) more than the McLaren.
Was this weight disadvantage enough for the Speedtail to steal the victory from the French hypercar? The video at the top of this page should show you the recap of four races – three flying starts and one from a dig. As always, let us know what you think in the comments below.
