Prototypes are meant to serve development purposes and then are usually disposed after a few years. But that was not the case with this particular Bugatti Chiron. For more than eight years, this vehicle assisted as a tool used to develop the Chiron to production maturity, like a piece of work equipment. And it was taken to multiple continents and in a variety of climate zones, for this purpose. A matte surface, adhesive strips, scratches and minor grazes bear witness to a tough life, but this Bugatti Chiron was not spared.

The 4-005, where the four stands for “prototype” and five stands for the fifth prototype of the Chiron; is the first Chiron to be driven in the USA, has performed drifts in the snow in Scandinavia, completed laps on the high-speed ring in Nardò, passed heat tests in South Africa and subjected to the afterburner of a Eurofighter Typhoon. The hyper sports car has served the Electronics development department as a lab rat on wheels and was in no way spared right to the end.

Test engineers usually develop a prototype for a specific task then test their systems until a little after the start of production, after which the vehicle is discarded. But not so with the “Four Five”. Starting in 2013, all of the Chiron’s software is developed and tested in the 4-005. When modifications are made, engineers also monitor the condition and so, the quality. “We discover many of the detail solutions during drives, discuss them within the team, and then realize them, starting with the 4-005,” explains Mark Schröder.

Even though it is a work tool, every drive in the Chiron was special for the test engineers. They have positive memories of the wonderful moments with the vehicle as well as the reactions of the people on the road – the Chiron has always been able to trigger joy and excitement. “In spite of it being an immense feat, we drove for up to ten hours at a time – and got out of the car feeling fit in the evenings,” says Norbert Uffman, who is responsible for telemetry and connectivity at Bugatti.

The result – Even after eight years and mileage of more than 74,000 kilometers, notably in tough conditions, the vehicle electronics are still essentially wear-free. The prototype is now going into its well-earned retirement after all that hard work. She served a good life, and now it's time to say goodbye and let her rest in peace.