The name Bugatti was guaranteed a place in automotive history long before VW/Audi purchased the rights to the name and revived the brand with the amazing Veyron. Capable of over 250mph, the Veyron ruled as the fastest production car in the world until it was eclipsed last year.
Development of the new Bugatti started with a series of design concepts ending in the EB 18/4 Veyron concept of 1999. That car was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show and featured a W18 engine configuration comprised of three banks of 6 cylinders. The name Veyron was taken from the French driver Pierre Veyron who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939 driving for Bugatti.
The production Veyron was announced in 2000 at the Geneva Motor Show, promising to be the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive production car ever. The W18 of the concept was replaced by a quad turbo W16 engine featuring four banks of 4 cylinders and producing over 1000HP. Initial testing was not without problems though as high speed stability became more and more of a challenge at the speeds the car was capable of. The car was originally slated for production in 2003 but the resulting delays to solve the stability problems led to the car being sent back for major changes.
Veyron "Sang Noir"
The final production version was revealed to the public on October 19, 2005 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The US launch was at the LA Auto Show in 2006. The total production run of the car is planned to be 300 units over a five year span at the price of over $2 million US each. Currently around 220 of the 300 cars have already been sold and most of those have been delivered.
The production Veyron uses the 8.0L W16 64 valve engine producing 1001HP/927TQ mated to a 7 speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox and a Haldex 4 wheel drive system. Curb weight of the car is 4,160lbs despite extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber. Even at that weight, the car still sports a very impressive power to weight ratio. The Veyron can accelerate from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds with the 1/4 mile disappearing in 10.2 seconds at 142.9mph. The brakes are equally impressive, reportedly able to bring the car to a stop from 249mph in 10 seconds.
The top speed of the car was promised to be 253mph and this was confirmed in 2005 as Car & Driver Magazine took a final production model to a speed of 253.2mph at VW's test track in Germany. Later the Top Gear guys hit 253mph again on the same track. In order to reach that speed the car's top speed mode must be unlocked with a special key while the car is at rest. Only after a thorough checklist is that mode engaged. Once in top speed mode, the Veyron lowers itself and all active downforce generating aero features are disabled to reduce drag. This reduction in drag increases the car's top speed from 233mph to 253mph.
Veyron "Fbg Par Hermes"
There have also been a few special editions of the car announced for those who think the regular Veyron isn't special enough. The "Pur Sang" model Veyron was announced in September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The "Pur Sang" features a bare aluminum and carbon fiber body and is limited to 5 examples. In Geneva in 2008, Bugatti announced a Hermes edition called the "Fbg Par Hermes" which features a slightly redesigned nose and a full Hermes leather interior. The "Sang Noir" is another special edition painted all in black with chrome and clearcoated carbon fiber accents. There will be 15 examples of the "Sang Noir". Finally, set to be introduced later this month at Pebble Beach, there is the Veyron Grand Sport which features a removable targa top. Production of this model will start next year.
Veyron "Pur Sang"
The Veyron is an impressive technological piece of automotive engineering to be sure. Not too many cars can even come close to it's performance. The car however was not without it's critics. Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1, felt it was a ridiculous exercise in making a car for one purpose, top speed. Murray was very critical of the car's size and weight, assuming that the car would only be impressive in a straight line. After driving one, Murray changed his opinion of the car saying that on the track he was expecting it to behave like a "sack of cement" but he found the car's handling to be impressive and summarized the car as a "huge achievement". High praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about supercars.
No comments:
Post a Comment