The Bugatti Veyron was automotive revenge at its finest. The original incarnation of the era-defining hypercar, the 16.4, achieved an average of 408.47 km/h at the Ehra-Lessien test track in April 2005. Beyond the not-so-small matter of setting a new production car top speed record ahead of the legendary McLaren F1, much more personal for the project’s driving force, Volkswagen Group leviathan Dr Ferdinand Piëch, it eclipsed the Welter-Meunier P88.

Piëch wasn’t strictly targeting other road cars when he set out his criteria for the Veyron. The Austrian had the Peugeot-powered P88 race car in the crosshairs, for it was that modified prototype which had dethroned his beloved Porsche 917 K and its officially recognised 24 Hours of Le Mans Vmax of 405 km/h. Thanks to the Veyron, Piëch had the last laugh.

When the Bugatti engineers in Molsheim, France were tasked with the daunting prospect of succeeding their 21st Century icon, attention turned to the 8.0-litre, quad-turbocharged W16 engine. It was wound up from 1,001 to 1,479 horsepower and nestled amid the much more aggressive and aerodynamic lines of the Chiron, named after famed Grand Prix driver Louis Chiron. Exhaling through a new titanium exhaust system that reduced backpressure, the Chiron launch from 0 to 100 km/h in a breathtaking 2.4 seconds. With the “High Speed Key” in place, it would keep on accelerating to a tyre-preserving, limited top speed of 420 km/h.

Debuting at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016, just 500 examples would be built—200 of which were already sold before the first production car was completed, with the 300 remaining allocations reserved for other models such as the Pur Sport and Super Sport.

The wonderfully specified Chiron offered here was configured with exquisite, exposed Grey Carbon bodywork. That exterior feature alone added a considerable €255,000 to the list price and is complemented by the accenting Aluminium “signature line” plus surround for the statement Bugatti horseshoe-shaped front grille. The Nocturne wheels, meanwhile, are diamond cut and sit ahead of Cast Grey callipers for the carbon brakes. Following a similar colour theme, the beautiful full leather interior blends Beluga Black and Gris Rafale hide with Silver stitching on the steering wheel and optional Comfort-specification seats.

Delivered new in the capital city of Japan via Bugatti Tokyo, this Chiron was collected by its first owner in May 2018. The car returned to its supplying dealership in August 2020 for routine inspection and, upon completion, was recorded as showing a mere 488 kilometres. A second inspection was conducted in July 2021 and a third in June 2022, with the Chiron arriving at Bugatti Tokyo displaying only 498 kilometres.

In November 2023, logged with 520 kilometres on the odometer, the car was purchased by the consigning owner via the Pupil of Fate Motors franchise in Dubai. The following month, they registered the car for road use in the United Arab Emirates. The Grey Carbon exterior was lightly revised, courtesy of the addition of Chiron Super Sport-style racing stripes that extend over the front luggage compartment, roof and integrated engine cover, and prominent active rear wing. The number “9” was also added to the front grille, as the car presents today.

Catalogued with just 1,848 kilometres displayed on the odometer, this Chiron is accompanied by its Bugatti accessories handover case, key box, battery conditioner, and English language owner’s manuals.

With Bugatti adopting a hybrid V-16 for its next flagship creation, the Tourbillon, the Chiron will go down in history as the last act for the legendary W16 powerplant. That alone makes any example worthy of consideration. But this beautifully specified and sparingly driven Grey Carbon specimen, one which boasts just two owners from new, surely stands proud as a halo addition to any serious performance car collection.