While the Bugatti Chiron’s production is now over, there’s no doubt that it’s still an amazing hypercar. The quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W-16 engine remains a masterful piece of engineering, making from 1,479 horsepower to 1,578 horsepower, depending on the model’s trim level.
The Chiron isn’t perfect, though. One issue is that it lacks a cupholder. However, a fortunate owner of these special machines received a way to carry a drink as a Christmas gift straight from the automaker’s lead designer.
A Custom Cupholder For The Chiron
Shannon Ralston is the Founder, President, and CEO of Angel Staffing, a business that matches qualified candidates with open positions at healthcare companies. She’s wealthy enough to own a custom Bugatti Chiron with the optional Sky View clear panels on the roof and a pink stripe around the passenger compartment.
On December 16, Ralston posted a video on Instagram begging Bugatti’s designers to create a cupholder for her Chiron. The request came after she spilled a Red Bull in the car’s door storage well. The result was a mess to clean up. In the clip, she appealed to Frank Heyl, director of design for Bugatti and Rimac, for help.
Bugatti Responds
Heyl responded on December 20 (above). He and his team looked at the situation and decided the same door storage well where the spill happened was also the best place to put a cupholder. They came up with a clip-in design with room for two bottles.
As a special touch, the team mocked up the piece to match the exterior of her Chiron and even put her name on it. If Ralston accepted this design, Bugatti could 3D-print the piece for a test fitting in January. She responded the same day, approving the cupholder’s appearance. “You and the entire Bugatti Team are beyond amazing. I feel like the most blessed girl in the world,” she wrote in part of an Instagram comment.
Heyl doesn’t mention it, but this piece should also work in other Chirons because their door panels should be the same size. If you happen to own one of these hypercars and need a cupholder, the solution might be here.
TopSpeed’s Take
Having a direct line to Bugatti to make requests like this must be nice. On public roads, owners can’t fully exploit the Chiron’s power anyway, so this cupholder lets them have a sip to stay hydrated.
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