New Bugatti and budget brand on the way from VW Group

The head of the Volkswagen Group has confirmed that the replacement for Bugatti’s Veyron will use hybrid power to breach the outgoing car’s astonishing acceleration figures.

Volkswagen Group Chairman Martin Winterkorn told Sunday's edition of the German newspaper Bild that Bugatti would have both petrol- and hybrid-powered versions of its next horizon chaser.

In something of a coming-out interview after his successful boardroom battle with ex-Volkswagen Group Supervisory Board Chairman Dr Ferdinand Piech, Winterkorn also confirmed Volkswagen would deliver a budget brand to rival Nissan's Datsun and Renault's Dacia.

“Next to the petrol model there will be a hybrid version with added performance for the first time,” Dr Winterkorn said.

It follows in the wake of electrified powertrains in supercars from everybody from Ferrari to McLaren and even Koenigsegg.

The standard petrol-powered Bugatti Veyron successor will be forced to use an upgraded version of the current W16, 8.0-litre, quad-turbo motor, with a target of more than 1500 horsepower. Dr Winterkorn has clearly implied that the hybrid version will produce even more power.

Due in 2017, the unnamed successor will once again use a carbon-fibre monocoque with just two seats and will again place interior luxury ahead of Spartan sportiness.