Bugatti engineers complete the next development phase of the exclusive Centodieci with hot weather testing in the Arizona desert.
The air simmers above the asphalt, making the road appear to shimmer. Geckos warm themselves on rocks and twitch their heads only momentarily as a convoy of Bugatti hyper sports cars surges past on State Route 1. During the height of summer, engineers from Wolfsburg are spending three weeks in the USA, testing numerous models in extreme weather conditions. The car leading the convoy is a prototype of the exclusive BugattiCentodieci, of which just ten vehicles will be hand-built at Bugatti’s Atelier in Molsheim, with delivery to customers commencing next year.
In addition to cold-climate testing, high-speed and endurance drives, one of the most important development elements of every Bugatti model is hot-climate testing. On the USA test, Bugatti has dedicated a 27-strong engineering team to this critical stage, and each member has a key role to play during the exhaustive testing program.
In the deserts of the USA, temperatures can on occasion exceed 50°C, creating an extremely hostile environment for both humans and machines. But it is an environment that gives Bugatti’s engineers a crucial advantage. “Testing in the hot, dry desert is a huge help for us in the development process. All Bugatti models have to function perfectly no matter how high the temperature, including the few-of Centodieci. Even if we are only creating ten cars, as with the Centodieci, the testing procedure is just as grueling. Every model has to run flawlessly in all weather and in all traffic conditions,” explains Stefan Schmidt, an engineer in Overall Vehicle Development at Bugatti.
Departing from California, the convoy drives 800 kilometers (500 miles) to Arizona, travelling along the Central Pacific Highway by the Pacific Ocean and passing through San Diego. In total, there are eight hyper sports cars from Molsheim on the road– the Bugatti Centodieci is followed by threeChiron Pur Sportsand fourChiron Super Sports. With the exception of the white Centodieci, matte black film protects the bodywork of the extraordinary and exclusive fleet of vehicles.
Altitudes of up to 2,800 meters and ambient temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius
Rapid ascents up Mount Lemon to the north of Tucson, Arizona, take the Bugatti fleet to an altitude of almost 2,800 meters. Along with the rest of the cars, the engineers relentlessly expose the Centodieci to a demanding test program. It’s pummeled by rough roads, subjected to low-speed stop-start traffic, left standing in the blazing sun with the air conditioning on full blast and driven at 320km/h (198mph) on a closed road environment.
At every stage, the Bugatti engineers check key systems such as the electrics, telemetrics, radio frequencies, air conditioning, and fueling processes again and again. The Centodieci, like all the cars, is fitted with 200 sensors, which feed data to the engineers on site and the development team back at Wolfsburg.
“During hot-climate testing, we focus specifically on the chassis, engine, transmission, thermal management, and electrics as well as on the vehicle as a whole,” reveals Pierre Rommelfanger, Head of Overall Vehicle Development at Bugatti. The team check interior components and body parts for thermal expansion, look, and feel, leaving no detail unchecked, no matter how small.
Unique attributes of the Centodieci proven in extreme conditions
Due to its many unique attributes, the Centodieci is subject to an even higher level of engineering scrutiny. Powered by a potent 8.0-liter W16 engine producing 1,176 kW/1,600 PS at 7,000 rpm, the Centodieci features an additional air intake near the oil cooler, which regulates the engine temperature.
“The Centodieci’s newly developed bodywork, airflow changes, and its engine bay cover manufactured from glass mean the temperature behavior is quite different, especially in such extreme, 45°C plus heat conditions,” explains André Kullig,Technical Project Manager for few-of projects at Bugatti. On the drive, the engineers compare the latest findings with simulation models and data from previous tests such as high-speed drives at the Nardó proving ground in Italy.
“This hot weather endurance test is fundamental for us as it is the only way we can ensure that the Centodieci, like every Bugatti model, offers a flawless, reliable, and safe drive in extreme heat, too – even though our customers may never subject their cars to such extreme conditions. The new tests prove that our existing setup for the Centodieci works optimally for hours on end even in extreme heat,” says a delighted André Kullig.
The exclusive convoy attracts attention at every fuel station and every parking lot. People flock around the vehicles, taking photos and asking questions. One elderly lady is so smitten with the cars that she immediately invites the Bugatti crew on a drive with the local automobile club. “The positive reactions tell us that people’s enthusiasm for theCentodieci and the Chiron models isn’t waning. It really puts a spring in our step while we work,” smiles Stefan Schmidt.
Having successfully completed hot weather testing, Bugatti’s engineers will now take the Centodieci on its final high-speed drives and endurance tests over a distance of 30,000 kilometers (186,000 miles) in Europe. Only once those have been completed and the car signed-off by the development team, will production of the ten Centodieci models commence in Molsheim, France.
Volvo Cars is reshuffling its senior leadership, promoting Alexander Petrofski to CTO and Magnus Nilsson to chief manufacturing officer from September 1.
Alexander Petrofski Becomes Volvo’s New CTO
Petrofski, currently Volvo’s head of strategy and business ownership, will become the company’s chief technology officer, replacing Anders Bell.
He joined Volvo in 2005 and has held several positions across the company’s operations.
Alexander Petrofski will become Volvo Cars’ new chief technology officer on September 1.
Petrofski worked at Volvo’s Gothenburg headquarters before moving to the company’s Shanghai operation in 2011 as production line director.
In 2015, he became senior program manager for the XC40 SUV.
Bell will move into a new role leading a strategic startup initiative focused on identifying opportunities to scale Volvo’s platform and digital technology.
Magnus Nilsson Takes Over Manufacturing
Magnus Nilsson, currently head of Volvo’s Ghent production plant in Belgium, will become chief manufacturing officer.
He will oversee production and manufacturing engineering as Volvo adapts its operations to changing market conditions.
Magnus Nilsson will become Volvo Cars’ new chief manufacturing officer, overseeing production and manufacturing engineering.
The new structure is intended to strengthen Volvo’s ability to respond to a more regionalized automotive industry, faster technological change, and evolving customer expectations.
Volvo also announced that Francesca Gamboni will move into a more focused role as chief procurement and supply chain officer.
Volvo Prepares for Its Next Phase
The leadership changes come as Volvo Cars faces an industry undergoing significant changes in technology, manufacturing, and customer expectations.
Volvo is reshaping its leadership team as it prepares for the next stage of its business and technology strategy.
CEO Håkan Samuelsson said the changes are designed to reflect Volvo’s future priorities and enable faster execution.
The company is therefore placing greater emphasis on technology, manufacturing capabilities, and supply-chain management as it prepares for its next phase.
For Volvo Cars leadership, the reshuffle puts experienced executives into roles that will be central to the automaker’s future strategy.
McLaren says its appeal against the Monaco Grand Prix result is aimed at protecting sporting integrity while also recovering points lost from Oscar Piastri’s penalty.
Why McLaren challenged the Monaco result
Several drivers were penalized during the Monaco Grand Prix for allegedly exceeding the pit-lane speed limit.
Among them were Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly.
It was later discovered that the timing loop used to calculate the speed at the entrance to Monaco’s pit lane had produced false positives.
Oscar Piastri was among the drivers penalized for an alleged pit-lane speeding infringement at Monaco.
Most drivers had already served their penalties during the race.
Gasly was different. The Alpine driver received two five-second penalties after the race, dropping him from third to seventh.
Alpine subsequently requested a right of review, and the stewards overturned both penalties, restoring Gasly to the podium.
That decision also changed the positions of Isack Hadjar and Piastri.
McLaren says the process was unfair
McLaren and Red Bull subsequently launched appeals because they questioned why Gasly was able to have his penalties removed while other drivers did not receive the same opportunity.
Stella says this is the central issue behind McLaren’s appeal.
McLaren argues that the treatment of Gasly’s penalties raised broader questions about fairness between competitors.
According to Stella, the team wants the FIA appeal process to clarify the principle that should apply equally to all competitors.
He stressed that the issue goes beyond McLaren’s own interests and concerns the integrity of Formula 1.
The technical question of how the pit-lane speed was calculated is important, but Stella considers the broader procedural issue even more significant.
McLaren also wants its championship points back
There is also a direct competitive reason for McLaren’s appeal.
Piastri had already served his penalty during the Monaco race, meaning McLaren says the team suffered a tangible loss that could not be appealed in the same way as Gasly’s post-race sanctions.
McLaren says Piastri’s penalty had a direct impact on its championship points.
Stella therefore described the appeal as having two objectives.
The first is to establish a fair principle for all competitors. The second is to address the impact the Monaco decision had on McLaren’s own constructors’ championship campaign.
The FIA International Court of Appeal’s decision could therefore have implications beyond the Monaco result itself.
For McLaren Monaco appeal, the team is arguing that the case is about more than recovering lost points. Stella says the outcome should clarify how sporting procedures are applied when an initial penalty is later found to have been based on incorrect data.
Kimi Antonelli is set to take a 20-place grid penalty at Monza, but Mercedes could use his fifth power unit to introduce its latest ADUO engine developments.
Antonelli will take a major grid penalty
Antonelli arrives in Italy leading the drivers’ championship by 59 points over Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
However, Mercedes has already confirmed that the young Italian will receive a 20-place grid penalty after introducing his fifth power unit at Monza.
Kimi Antonelli is expected to take a 20-place grid penalty at Monza after Mercedes introduces his fifth power unit.
The penalty could make the weekend difficult, but Mercedes may be using the situation strategically.
Because Antonelli is already facing a significant grid drop, introducing the latest engine specification could allow the team to gain performance while minimizing the competitive cost of the new component.
Russell is also expected to receive the updated engine technology.
Mercedes could answer Ferrari’s ADUO upgrade
Ferrari is expected to introduce its 067/6 power unit with the second ADUO evolution at Monza.
The update is reportedly capable of adding around 15 horsepower, helped by a new Shell fuel formulation. Ferrari has already gained around seven horsepower from its first ADUO-related development since the Austrian Grand Prix.
Ferrari is expected to introduce its second ADUO power-unit evolution at Monza, increasing pressure on Mercedes to respond.
That could significantly reduce Ferrari’s performance deficit to Mercedes.
The Scuderia is also arriving with aerodynamic improvements to the SF-26 after introducing changes to the floor, bargeboard, and diffuser at Zandvoort.
Mercedes therefore faces pressure from both Ferrari’s engine development and McLaren’s recent progress.
The fifth Mercedes engine could be the answer
Toto Wolff previously suggested that Mercedes would not introduce a major engine evolution during the 2026 season.
However, reports from Britain indicate that the fifth power unit could feature revised hardware developed at Brixworth.
The changes reportedly include modifications to the management of the large turbocharger, including its blade configuration.
Mercedes could use its fifth power unit to introduce revisions to the M17 E Performance engine.
The updated M17 E Performance could also benefit from new Petronas fuel technology.
If the power unit produces a measurable performance gain without increasing fuel consumption, Mercedes could restore some of the advantage it enjoyed earlier in the season.
The potential significance extends beyond the works team. The updated engine could eventually be supplied to Mercedes customer teams as well, meaning McLaren could also benefit from the development.
Monza could change the championship picture
The Italian Grand Prix could therefore become a critical moment in both championships.
Ferrari will arrive with an important power-unit development, while Mercedes could respond with its own engine evolution.
Monza could reveal whether Mercedes can maintain its advantage over Ferrari and McLaren as the championship enters its decisive phase.
Mercedes has already admitted that its budget limits how many major upgrades it can introduce during the season.
That makes the timing of the engine update especially important.
If the upgraded Mercedes power unit delivers the expected performance, the team could regain some of the advantage it has lost to Ferrari and McLaren.
If it does not, the championship battle could become significantly tighter heading into the final races.
The next major aerodynamic development for the W17 is expected later in the season, with a larger package reportedly planned for Malaysia on October 4.
For Mercedes engine upgrade plans, Monza could therefore be one of the most important weekends of the 2026 season.
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