Practical guide for everything a new owner asks on day one — starting the car, gear selector, drive modes, infotainment, driver aids, and easy-to-miss features.
01
How to start it
Insert the silver driving key into the slot to the LEFT of the seat, between the door and the sill. Press the brake. Press the start button on the steering wheel. The W16 catches in about a second. (The second 'Top Speed' key only unlocks 261+ mph mode.)
02
Where the gear selector is (and how to use it)
Brushed-aluminum dial between the seats — rotate to R, N, A (Auto), or M (Manual) and use the paddles. There is no traditional 'D'; A is your daily-drive setting.
03
Drive modes
There are no selectable drive modes. The throttle, clutch, steering, and brakes are entirely mechanical, so the car responds identically every time.
04
Instruments
Analog gauges only — large central tachometer flanked by speedometer, oil-pressure, water-temp, fuel, and ammeter. No digital displays, no warning-message screens.
05
Infotainment & voice control
Period-correct audio is an AM/FM radio (cassette on later cars). No central screen, no nav, no Bluetooth, no smartphone integration of any kind — anything modern was added aftermarket.
06
Driver assistance
Electronic driver assistance is either absent or extremely limited by modern standards. Do not expect adaptive cruise, lane keeping, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, surround cameras, or stability-control intervention; leave extra space and warm the tires before driving quickly.
07
Fueling
Premium unleaded (91 or 93 octane) is required on Bugatti performance models — the engine timing is set for it and lower octane causes audible knock and reduced power. Fuel-cap release is a button on the driver door panel; the cap is capless (just push the nozzle in).
08
Keys
Cut metal key in the ignition cylinder. No remote, no fob, no rolling-code security; treat the key like any 1960s-1970s car.
09
First-week tips & easy-to-miss features
A few things every new owner tells us they wish they'd known on day one:
- Always use the front-axle lift before driveways and speed bumps — it stores the lift point in GPS so the car raises automatically next time.
- Warm tires and oil for at least 8–10 minutes before using Race / Track mode; cold rubber on this much power is the #1 cause of off-throttle spins.
- Download the brand app (Bugatti Concierge) and pair it with your VIN before your first long trip — remote climate, charging/fuel-level checks, and remote lock-status save you walking back to the garage in winter.