In Brief
In an episode of The Grand Tour, Jeremy Clarkson staged a standing-start duel between a BMW M4 and a Bugatti Chiron. Even with the M4’s already formidable quickness, the Chiron pulled ahead, crossing the finish line about three seconds sooner. The moment underscored the enormous gap separating a fast sports car from a hypercar like the Chiron. The clip became a cult classic, highlighting the Bugatti’s outsized advantage in acceleration.
There are cars that are “very fast.” And then there are “Bugatti-fast” cars. To illustrate that difference, Jeremy Clarkson brought out the big guns in a The Grand Tour episode: a standstill drag between a BMW M4 and a Bugatti Chiron. On one side, a coupe already among the speediest on the market; on the other, a hypercar pushing acceleration into a whole different realm. A simple, paper-thin duel on paper.
Before launching the race, the host nearly telegraphs the punchline to viewers: “What I’m going to do is show you the difference between a truly fast car and a Bugatti Chiron.” That’s how Clarkson sets the tone, per Top Gear Fandom. The race unfolds exactly as one imagines. The Chiron crosses the line roughly three seconds ahead of the M4. SupercarBlondie notes that this gap is akin to a 5‑0 win in football, given how unambiguous the humiliation is. A straightforward, almost childlike demonstration that makes you want to rewatch this clash between “truly fast” and “Bugatti-fast.”
Bugatti Chiron vs BMW M4: A Cult Moment from The Grand Tour
This face-off appears in the episode “Bah Humbug-atti,” the third episode of season 2 of The Grand Tour. It was posted on December 22, 2017, on Amazon Prime Video. In this chapter, Clarkson treats himself to a grand touring day in a Bugatti Chiron, cruising from Saint‑Tropez through the Alps to Turin. Think of it as a businessman’s day of back-to-back meetings, without the private jet—only a car that’s capable of everything at highway speed. The setup, at its core, is to demonstrate what a hypercar can do when used as a speed machine rather than a mere transport.
To set a benchmark, Clarkson picks the BMW M4, described in the episode as a high-performance car. Under the hood lies a turbocharged inline‑six producing roughly 430 to 460 horsepower. Zero to 60 mph comes in just over 4 seconds. The quarter mile clocks in around 11.9 seconds. SupercarBlondie notes that the M4 is “one of the fastest cars in the world.” But the Chiron still operates in a different league.
Jeremy Clarkson vs. the Bugatti Chiron: When “Very Fast” Becomes “Bugatti Fast”
In the other lane, the Bugatti Chiron doesn’t merely compete; it dwarfs the M4. Its 8.0-liter W16 engine with four turbochargers cranks out roughly 1,500 horsepower. It rockets from 0 to 60 mph in just over 2.3 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 420 km/h, a number that still leaves your head spinning. Bugatti even touts a 0–400–0 km/h test in 41.96 seconds over a little more than 3.1 kilometers, a testament to the car’s phenomenally rapid acceleration. When you juxtapose these numbers with the M4, the delta over 1/4 mile becomes obvious. The Chiron finishes the quarter mile in roughly 9.3 to 9.4 seconds.
In the video, the drag race almost plays like a gag. The BMW M4 finishes well adrift of the Chiron. At the end of the straight, the hypercar crosses the chronometer about three seconds before the BMW. It’s a massive gap over such a short distance. SupercarBlondie sums up the difference with a striking image: a 5‑0 football score. This kind of absurd matchup, buoyed by Clarkson’s commentary, is one of the reasons people lament The Grand Tour’s original format.
Comparative Table
| Model | Power | 0-60 mph | Quarter mile | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M4 | 430–460 hp | Just over 4 seconds | 11.9 seconds | N/A |
| Bugatti Chiron | 1,500 hp | Just over 2.3 seconds | 9.3–9.4 seconds | About 260 mph (restricted) |
Key Takeaways
- Jeremy Clarkson pitted a BMW M4 against a Bugatti Chiron on The Grand Tour.
- The race appears in the episode “Bah Humbug-atti,” the third episode of season 2, released December 22, 2017.
- The Bugatti Chiron dominates with around 1,500 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time in just over 2.3 seconds.
- The BMW M4, despite producing roughly 430–460 hp, cannot keep up and finishes the quarter mile several seconds back.
- The roughly three-second gap on the 1/4 mile illustrates the Chiron’s supremacy.
- The football-score analogy of 5-0 is used to underscore the difference in level.
FAQ
Which episode of The Grand Tour features the BMW M4 vs Bugatti Chiron drag race?
It’s the third episode of season 2, titled “Bah Humbug-atti,” released December 22, 2017.
What is the Bugatti Chiron’s horsepower as stated in the article?
The Bugatti Chiron makes about 1,500 horsepower from its 8.0-liter quad‑turbo W16.
What performance does the BMW M4 show against the Chiron in this duel?
The BMW M4 does 0-60 mph in a little over 4 seconds and runs the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds, ending well behind the Chiron.
What is the measured gap between the Bugatti Chiron and the BMW M4 on the quarter mile?
The Chiron crosses the finish line about three seconds ahead of the M4 on the quarter mile.
What image is used to illustrate the performance difference?
SupercarBlondie likens the gap to a 5‑0 football score, underscoring the Chiron’s overwhelming advantage.
