The forthcoming hyper-car Bugatti Chiron, set to debut next year, will mark a major departure from the brand’s signature W-16 engine. Instead, it will feature a V-8 hybrid powertrain, leveraging the expertise of Rimac, the Croatian automaker that merged with Bugatti in 2021. This move signals Bugatti’s commitment to sustainability and aligns with the industry’s growing focus on eco-friendly performance. While the hyper-car undergoes a powertrain transformation, Bugatti assures fans that all the iconic design elements will remain intact. The distinctive horseshoe grille and C-shaped side bodywork, synonymous with Bugatti’s heritage since the 1934 Type 57, will continue to define the brand’s aesthetic appeal.

Swapping the massive W-16 engine for a more compact V-8 setup will result in a lighter vehicle. The new hyper-car will be built around a new chassis, enhancing its performance capabilities and agility. The anticipated weight reduction is poised to elevate driving dynamics and overall handling. Bugatti’s interior designer Aldo Maria Sica promises that the Bugatti Chiron successor’s cabin will exude elegance and opulence, much like its predecessor. But the hyper-car may feature a large central touchscreen, enhancing the infotainment system and introducing modern technology to the driving experience.

Bugatti’s commitment to exclusivity continues with the upcoming hyper-car, expected to surpass the $5 million price tag of the limited-edition Mistral, the final Bugatti with the W-16 motor. With the new Bugatti Chiron successor, the brand reaffirms its dedication to offering unparalleled luxury and performance to a select clientele. Bugatti also sets its sights on a groundbreaking milestone – its first electric car.

Within the world of luxury cars, leather upholstery still signifies the ultimate decadence. But following the footprint of economical cars like the Honda Civic and the Nissan Sentra, top luxury automakers are also taking responsible measures by optioning leather upholstery, or in some cases, completely altering the interiors with animal-free alternatives.

Current Initiatives

The automaker companies have been offering synthetic leather for years as an inexpensive substitute to the real material but now they’ve gone one step further, offering it as the sustainable choice. In 2017, prodded by PETA (People for Ethnic Treatments of Animals), Tesla ditched the leather upholstery in their cars, with other EV makers following suit. While the GMC Hummer EV SUV and pickup are coming with synthetic skin interiors, the new Rivian R1T has launched the model with exclusive ‘vegan leather’ upholstery. The C40 Recharge of Volvo is already leather-free, and according to the company, by 2030, the entire electric line-up of Volvo will be leather-less as well.

Synthetic Leather

So, what is this synthetic leather? Most vegan or animal-free automotive textiles are made of plastics. Traditionally, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride, which is made from petroleum oil, has been the popular alternative for leather. The latest versions of faux leathers claim a sort of eco-friendly prospect, by being made from different sorts of natural materials, like pineapple plant leaves, apple peels, mushroom roots, etc. Still, these alternative leathers are yet to appear in production car interiors.

The Mazda Version

According to Mazda, their MX-30 EV features Premium Vintage Leatherette, made with minimal organic solvents. Lexus claims in their reports that the latest NuLuxe model uses no animal-sourced compounds in its interiors, producing 65% fewer carbon emissions than real leather. Recently, the senior design manager for the material and color of Volvo, Rekha Meena, also stated that the brand’s signature ‘Microtech’ vinyl is crafted without any harmful plasticizer.