$5M almost wasted: He tests his Hypercar in his backyard after narrowly avoiding reducing it to ashes

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Manny Khoshbin, a well-known investor famous for his impressive supercar collection, has just added an exceptional piece to his garage: a Bugatti Bolide.

This 1,850-horsepower hypercar, sold for around $5 million, is one of only 40 units produced by the French brand. But before he could fully enjoy it, he faced some unexpected difficulties. Between a complicated startup and a temperamental engine, his first experience didn’t go as planned.

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A startup that almost turned into a disaster

Unlike a regular car, where you simply turn a key or press a button, the Bugatti Bolide requires a full ritual to start. There’s no key here, but three switches that must be activated in the correct order, much like a fighter jet. This complexity caught Manny Khoshbin off guard during his first attempt. But that’s not all: the Bolide has no fans to cool its engine, meaning it can overheat quickly. During delivery, Bugatti engineers explained that an extended startup could raise the temperature to dangerous levels. The result? They didn’t even dare to start the car in front of him, opting instead to push it into his garage. He was also given detailed manuals and special equipment, including a battery charger, an air compressor, and F1-inspired slick tires.

The Bolide has no fans to cool its engine, meaning it can overheat quickly.
The Bolide has no fans to cool its engine, meaning it can overheat quickly.

First test… in his backyard

Waiting several months to test his new acquisition on a track was out of the question for Khoshbin. Too impatient, he decided to get behind the wheel immediately… but there was one problem: the Bolide isn’t street-legal. That meant his playground was limited to his massive private property. After finally mastering the startup procedure, he strapped himself into the five-point harness and cautiously drove out of the garage. Within the first few meters, he was struck by the chassis’s stiffness and the responsiveness of the steering. “It’s an absolute monster,” he exclaimed as he completed a few laps on his personal track. His heart was pounding so much that he joked about needing a massage after every driving session.

The Bolide’s power is so extreme that even a short ride in his backyard was enough to give him a glimpse of its potential. He repeatedly shouted, “Oh my God!” as the experience overwhelmed him. But a major issue was already looming: with an almost empty fuel tank, he knew this thrill wouldn’t last long.

Manny Khoshbin testing his Bugatti Bolide in his backyard.
Manny Khoshbin testing his Bugatti Bolide in his backyard.

An extreme hypercar, but not made for the road

While the Bugatti Bolide is breathtaking in terms of performance, it’s far from a comfortable luxury car. Unlike his Rolls-Royces or even other, more civilized Bugatti models like the Chiron, this hypercar is entirely focused on performance. Every detail, from its featherweight 2,734 lbs (1,240 kg) chassis to its track-oriented tires, is designed for the racetrack. In May, Khoshbin will finally be able to unleash his Bolide at a private event organized by Bugatti. It will be the perfect opportunity to see what this machine is truly capable of on a proper track. Until then, he’ll have to settle for a few laps around his estate… while being careful not to overheat the car and turn this gem into a fireball.

This article explores Manny Khoshbin’s first try with his Bugatti Bolide in his backyard, a hypercar as impressive as it is challenging to tame. With a startup process fit for a fighter jet and demanding mechanical constraints, this car is definitely not for everyone.

For $20,000, you’ll get the smallest yet most stylish car on the market, inspired by the national icon of the land of city cars

Images: © Manny Khoshbin on YouTube

Adrien Conges
Adrien Conges
I grew up near Magny-Cours, an old Formula 1 circuit in France so I've been passionate about motorsport and automobiles since childhood. I currently live in Bordeaux, France and I'm still waiting for Ferrari to win a 17th F1 constructors' title.

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