Mat Armstrong explains why Audi A3 airbags were used in the Bugatti Chiron rebuild amid safety concerns

Mat Armstrong has addressed comments questioning why he used Audi A3 airbags in his Bugatti Chiron rebuild.

There’s been no shortage of talking points about this long-running project.

But here’s one that doesn’t involve Mate Rimac or any alleged feuds in the media.

It pertains to the airbags sitting inside the car, and Armstrong has finally explained why he made the decision he did.

Why Mat Armstrong opted to use Audi A3 airbags in his Bugatti Chiron rebuild

When you have a YouTube audience as big as Mat Armstrong, you can anticipate that a lot of people will have opinions about what you’re doing.

It turned out his choice of airbag had proven to be a divisive choice among his viewership.

Some people felt it cheapened the project, as Chirons are worth considerably more than A3s – $3 million versus $15,000.

However, Armstrong addressed his critics and explained why he made the choice.

First of all, he noted that the safety components are essentially identical because the two brands share a parent company.

The reality is that Bugatti isn’t building its airbag from scratch; it sources airbags from other manufacturers within the Volkswagen group.

“I don’t know everything… but as many airbags I have replaced, this is as good as it’s going to get,” Armstrong concluded.

Was this argument enough to sway his viewers?

“The airbag thing….people don’t know what goes in to develop and get an airbag approved, that’s why VAG (and every car manufacturer) uses the same airbags in multiple cars,” one commenter said.

“No matter how good you do, you’re gonna get haters, there is no light without dark, so just ignore all the hate comments and never stop rebuilding cars, Mat,” another fan wrote.

How advisable is it to take this approach to car building? We reached out to GSF Car Parts to find out more.

“Mat Armstrong’s Bugatti Chiron rebuild is a fascinating example of how modern vehicle engineering often shares components and technologies across very different marques,” Justin Wasling, the commercial programme director, told Supercar Blondie.

“While the idea of using an Audi A3 airbag in one of the world’s most exclusive hypercars will surprise many motorists, it highlights an important reality of the automotive aftermarket: going directly to a main dealer isn’t always the only option, whether you’re driving a Chiron or a Citroën.

“What matters most is that the parts used are correct, OE or OE‑equivalent, approved for the vehicle, and fitted properly.

“As one of the UK’s leading aftermarket suppliers, we stock thousands of components that independent garages rely on every day across our 215 branches nationwide. We also support motorists directly, offering same‑day collection or next‑day delivery on thousands of parts through our website, gsfcarparts.com.

“High‑quality OE‑equivalent aftermarket parts can provide a safe, effective, and more accessible alternative to dealer-only solutions, particularly for vehicles that are out of warranty or undergoing specialist repairs.

“We partner with brands such as Brembo, Mobil, Schaeffler, Bosch, Delphi, ZF, and many more to ensure that we’re proud to put our name next to every part we sell. 

“However, safety‑critical systems such as airbags should never be treated casually. It’s also important to recognize that Mat Armstrong is a professional, with extensive experience and access to specialist knowledge.

“What works in a controlled, expert‑led rebuild won’t necessarily be appropriate for every vehicle or every driver. For everyday motorists, the safest approach is always to seek professional guidance, use reputable parts suppliers, and ensure installation is carried out by a qualified technician.”

This project has had its fair share of controversies

Originally owned by content creator Alex Gonzalez, AKA fxalexgyt, the Chiron was damaged during a stunt, and it was soon found listed on Copart in a pretty poor state.

When Armstrong got his hands on it, he set about getting it back on the road.

But Bugatti had locked the VIN, meaning that no dealership would supply the parts to support the rebuild.

Off the back of that, it became something of a back-and-forth, with company CEO Mate Rimac even getting involved.

In a recent podcast, Armstrong set the record straight about rumors of tension between him and Rimac.

All in all, it’s been a complicated saga, and there’s no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.