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Bugatti Veyron La Finale gets a video farewell

It's still amazing to think that the Bugatti Veyron project is finally over. Even today, 10 years after the start of production, the car is an engineering marvel. And while Bugatti waved farewell to the supercar at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with the Grand Sport Vitesse La Finale, it promised a successor was on the way. Before we get to the next Bugatti, though, the brand will milk La Finale for as much news as it can get. The upshot is a peek into Bugatti's sci-fi workshop with a video that chronicles the final build of La Finale. Obviously a performance powerhouse, even the way the Veyron comes together looks unlike any other automobile. The shop has a massive wall of windows, and the metal columns to hold the assemblies can disappear into the floor when not in use. The clip also shows the supercar's rear structure unadorned with the carbon fiber body. The mass of tubes and wires demonstrates just how complicated the W-16 engine really is. This is a wonderful way to bid adieu to the last of a legend.

Bugatti put three generations of legendary supercars into one photo

The modern era of Bugatti has seen dozens of special-editions, limited-editions, and bespoke one-offs, but the core of the company is defined by three models that have spanned the past three decades. The EB110 marked the '90s, the Veyron ruled the '00s and early '10s, and the Chiron dominated the end of the '10s into the present. Bugatti calls the trio the "Holy Trinity" and recently brought all three supercars together for a photoshoot in Dubai.  Against a backdrop of sweeping sands and a spiky skyline tipped by the Burj Khalifa tower, Bugatti placed a black EB110 next to black examples of a Veyron and a Chiron. It's an awe-inspiring sight, even in photos, though it is a bit strange to see the models dressed like they're going to a funeral rather than sporting any of the numerous iconic color schemes they've worn throughout the years.  Despite the 30 years between the EB110, and the Chiron, all three vehicles are built with the same three key components: a carbon-fiber monocoque, four turbochargers, and all-wheel drive. The technologies within these three pillars have drastically changed, but the idea of what makes a true super sports car has remained the same.  The EB110, which denotes Ettore Bugatti and his 110th birthday, debuted on his birthday, September 15, 1991, in Paris. It packs a mid-engined quad-turbo 3.5-liter V12 that has a 8,250-rpm redline. The lowest-powered EB110 had 560 horsepower, while the most powerful model made 611 horsepower. The EB110 claimed a zero-to-62-mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 218 mph.  The Veyron entered the scene for the 2005 model year. This time around, Bugatti slapped the four turbochargers on an 8.0-liter W16, and that engine makes a whopping 987 horsepower (1,001 PS). With the added power, the zero-to-62-mph time dropped to 2.5 seconds, and the top speed increased to 253 mph, and that was before more powerful variants were released. The Chiron, Bugatti's current model, debuted in 2016 and continued to build on the power and speed records its relatives had set before it. The Chiron carries on with a quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16, but it now makes 1,479 horsepower. It can sprint from a stop to 62 mph in 2.4 seconds, and in 2019, Bugatti used a Chiron to reach 304.773 mph, the fastest speed for a production car ever achieved.  To truly appreciate the greatness of these vehicles requires an in-person visit, but for now, photos will have to do. Check out the family photoshoot in the gallery above.

Bugatti Chiron to get 3D-printed titanium brake calipers

Automakers have only recently started to take advantage of 3D printing. It's been interesting to see the wide variety 3D-printed parts being put into production. Mini now offers customizable trim and interior pieces. Michelin created an airless 3D-printed tire that looks a bit like an oversized sand dollar. The Koenigsegg Agera One:1 uses 3D-printed turbochargers. This week, Bugatti announced that it's testing 3D-printed brake calipers on the new Chiron. These eight-piston fixed calipers look wild, featuring an almost organic shape that ditches any unnecessary material in an effort to shave weight. Traditional calipers are limited in shape by the casting process. Aluminum must fill a mold, meaning there will always be some excess material. Using a 3D printer allows Bugatti to create the part layer by layer. While most calipers today are made from aluminum (including the ones currently on the Chiron), these new ones from Bugatti are crafted with titanium. The automaker says these calipers are the largest functional component made of 3D-printed titanium. The shape maximizes stiffness and reduces unsprung weight at the car's corners. Bugatti says this particular titanium alloy is used in the aerospace industry on parts like airplane wings and rocket engines. The new calipers weigh 6.4 pounds each, significantly less than the 10.8 pounds of the outgoing model. Tensile strength is up, too, meaning the parts are both lighter and stronger than before. The main drawback of the new part is the extremely long production time. It takes 45 hours to print each individual caliper. That's not really too much of an issue with a limited-production model like the Chiron. The first trials will begin early this year, and Bugatti hopes to reduce the production time as testing goes forward. Still, don't expect to see 3D-printed titanium calipers on a Toyota Camry anytime soon. Related Video: Related Gallery Bugatti Chiron: First Drive View 67 Photos News Source: Bugatti Plants/Manufacturing Bugatti Technology Coupe Luxury Performance Supercars brakes Bugatti Chiron