A man in a new Bugatti automobile.

Posted on January 02, 2022
Supercars
A man in a new Bugatti automobile.

Steve Jenny has an enviable job. As a Bugatti test driver, he inspects all new cars before they are delivered to customers. Bugatti recently described how Jenny got this great job and what his typical day entails.

Since joining Bugatti in 2004, Jenny has driven 90% of the Bugatti cars sold and has logged over 217,000 miles in Veyrons, Chirons, and Divos, according to Bugatti.

Jenny grew up in Alsace, France, and began her career as a rally driver and co-driver before becoming a mechanic and quality inspector, working for automotive suppliers MAHLE and BBS. While near Bugatti's Molsheim headquarters, he saw the facility and a Veyron prototype undergoing testing several times and decided to apply.

Today, Jenny is the first person to drive a newly completed Bugatti in anger. During the five-hour test drive before delivery, the car will be driven on public roads, as well as slalomed and accelerated at airports and racetracks to make sure everything is in order.

Each car is a little different, so Jenny must first identify in which region a given car is homologated and what options the customer has chosen. Each test drive is approximately 186 miles long and begins with an on-road portion where Jenny listens for pedal weight and responsiveness, steering feel, and unusual noises. The test also includes driving on cobblestone roads to evaluate the suspension.

Bugatti uses a closed runway at an airport for high-speed testing, which, according to the automaker, can reach speeds in excess of 186 mph. Jenny will test launch control, air brakes, and stability control, as well as rapid lane change maneuvers and complete stops from 124 mph.

The car then returns to Molsheim, where mechanics change the transmission oil and wheels and install the car's original underbody. The car is then sent out again for a one-hour test drive and is cleared for shipment to the customer.

Production of the Chiron will end, but Bugatti will keep Jenny busy testing the Chiron-derived St. Dieci, a limited edition homage to the 1990s Bugatti EB 110 supercar, and the Boride track car. Bugatti has remained silent on what's next, but with the car recently transferred to the Porsche-Rimac joint venture, it may be electrified in the future.

You may also like

Alfa Romeo Milano's debut EV begins charging on April 10.
Alfa Romeo Milano's debut EV begins charging on April 10.

Alfa Romeo has unveiled the first photos of the new Milan, revealing that it will debut on April 10.The Milan is an electric subcompact crossover, whi...

Jan 26

2027 Porsche Cayenne EV, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Black Wing: top photos of the week
2027 Porsche Cayenne EV, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Black Wing: top photos of the week

The Porsche Cayenne EV test mule, scheduled for launch in 2027, began cold weather testing on public roads. Although it looked like a spliced-together...

Jan 27

2026 Audi Q9, Apple Car, 2024 Porsche Macan EV: Strike Back This Week
2026 Audi Q9, Apple Car, 2024 Porsche Macan EV: Strike Back This Week

The 2026 Audi Q9 is spotted, Apple Car is postponed again, and the 2024 Porsche Macan EV debuts. And the 2024 Porsche Macan EV debuts.The 2026 Audi Q9...

Jan 26

Trending

2026 Audi RS 5 Avant with plug-in hybrid spotted
2026 Audi RS 5 Avant with plug-in hybrid spotted

Audi's A5 family currently consists of coupe, convertible, and hatchback body styles, but the next generation is expected to include a new A5 wagon, t...

Jan 25

2027 Porsche Cayenne EV, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Black Wing: top photos of the week
2027 Porsche Cayenne EV, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Black Wing: top photos of the week

The Porsche Cayenne EV test mule, scheduled for launch in 2027, began cold weather testing on public roads. Although it looked like a spliced-together...

Jan 27

Lucid Teases Tesla Model Y Rival
Lucid Teases Tesla Model Y Rival

Lucid's third vehicle will be a compact crossover comparable to the Tesla Model Y.A teaser photo posted to X on Wednesday by automotive journalist and...

Jan 25