Designed and developed by the German Volkswagen Group and produced by Bugatti Automobiles SAS at their headquarters in Château St. Jean in Molsheim (Alsace, France), the Veyron's chief designer was Hartmut Warkuss, and the exterior was designed by Jozef Kabaň of Volkswagen, with much of the engineering work being conducted under the guidance of former Peterbilt engineer and now Bugatti Engineering chief Wolfgang Schreiber.
The car is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti company. It was named Car of the Decade (2000–2009) by the BBC television programme Top Gear.
A number of special variants have been produced, including two targa tops.
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[edit] Specifications and performance
The Super Sport features an engine power increase from the standard 1,001 metric horsepower (736 kW; 987 bhp) to 1,200 metric horsepower (883 kW; 1,184 bhp) and torque of 1,500 N·m (1,100 ft·lbf) and a revised aerodynamic package.[4]
The first five production Super Sports will sport the same black and orange finish as the record car and all production models will be electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph) to protect the tires.[4] The Veyron Super Sport was shown publicly for the first time at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2010.[3]
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The car's wheelbase is 2,710 mm (106.7 in). Overall length is 4,462 mm (175.7 in), width 1,998 mm (78.7 in) and height 1,204 mm (47.4 in).
- 1 heat exchanger for the air-to-liquid intercoolers.
- 2 for the air conditioning system.
- 1 transmission oil radiator.
- 1 differential oil radiator.
- 1 engine oil radiator.
[edit] Engine output
According to Volkswagen Group and certified by TÜV Süddeutschland, the final production Veyron engine produces 1,001 metric horsepower (736 kW; 987 bhp) of motive power, and generates 1,250 newton metres (922 ft·lbf) of torque.[1][10] The nominal figure has been stated by Bugatti officials to be conservative, with the real total being 1,020 metric horsepower (750 kW; 1,006 bhp) or more.[6][edit] Top speed
The top speed of the original version was verified by James May on Top Gear in November 2006, again at Volkswagen Group's private Ehra-Lessien test track. Jeremy Clarkson, driving a Veyron from Italy to London, noted that at top speed the engine consumes 10,000 imperial gallons (45,000 L) of air per minute (as much as a human breathes in four days). The Veyron accelerates from 0–62 mph in 2.5 seconds and has the fastest top speed of any street legal car. Once back in the Top Gear studio, James was asked by co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson what the Veyron felt like to drive at 407 km/h (253 mph), May replied that it was "totally undramatic", and very stable at speed. It only wobbled slightly as the air brake moved in the vertical position to slow the car down at lower speeds. [11]
The car's everyday top speed is listed at 350 km/h (220 mph). When the car reaches 220 km/h (140 mph), hydraulics lower the car until it has a ground clearance of about 9 cm (3.5 in). At the same time, the wing and spoiler deploy. This is the handling mode, in which the wing helps provide 3,425 newtons (770 lbf) of downforce, holding the car to the road.[7] The driver must, using a special key (the top speed key), toggle the lock to the left of his seat in order to attain the maximum (average) speed of 407 km/h (253 mph). The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop, when a checklist then establishes whether the car and its driver are ready to enable top speed mode. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers shut and the ground clearance, normally 12.5 cm (4.9 in), drops to 6.5 cm (2.6 in).
[edit] Braking
The Veyron's brakes use cross drilled, radially vented carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composite discs, manufactured by SGL Carbon, which have a much greater resistance to brake fade when compared with conventional cast iron discs. The lightweight aluminium alloy monobloc brake calipers are made by AP Racing; the fronts have eight[7] titanium pistons and the rear calipers have six pistons. Bugatti claims maximum deceleration of 1.3 g on road tyres. As an added safety feature, in the event of brake failure, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) has also been installed on the handbrake.Prototypes have been subjected to repeated 1.0 g braking from 312 km/h (194 mph) to 80 km/h (50 mph) without fade. With the car's acceleration from 80 km/h (50 mph) to 312 km/h (194 mph), that test can be performed every 22 seconds. At speeds above 200 km/h (120 mph), the rear wing also acts as an airbrake, snapping to a 55° angle in 0.4 seconds once brakes are applied, providing an additional 0.68 g (6.66 m/s2) of deceleration (equivalent to the stopping power of an ordinary hatchback).[7] Bugatti claims the Veyron will brake from 400 km/h (250 mph) to a standstill in less than 10 seconds, though distance covered in this time will be a third of a mile.[7]
[edit] Specifications and statistics
| Basic stats[1][2] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout and body style | Mid-engine, four-wheel drive, two-door coupé/targa top | Base price | €1,225,000 (£1,065,000/$1,700,000) Super Sport: €1,912,500 (£1,665,000/$2,700,000) |
| Internal combustion engine | 8.0 litre W16, 64v DOHC quad-turbocharged petrol engine | Engine displacement and max. power | 7,993 cc (487.8 cu in) 1,001 metric horsepower (736 kW; 987 bhp) Super Sport: 1,200 metric horsepower (883 kW; 1,184 bhp) |
| Performance | |||
| Top speed | 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph) (average) Super Sport: 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) (average) | ||
| 0–160 km/h (0–99.4 mph) | 2.5 seconds | 0–240 km/h (0–149.1 mph) | 9.8 seconds |
| 0–300 km/h (0–186.4 mph)[13] | 15 seconds | 0–400 km/h (0–248.5 mph)[14][15] | 50 seconds |
| Standing quarter-mile (402 m)[15] | 10.2 seconds at 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | ||
| Fuel economy[16] | |||
| EPA city driving | 8 miles per US gallon (29 L/100 km; 9.6 mpg-imp) | EPA highway driving | 13 miles per US gallon (18 L/100 km; 16 mpg-imp) |
| Top speed fuel economy | 3 miles per US gallon (78 L/100 km; 3.6 mpg-imp), or 1.4 US gal (5.3 l; 1.2 imp gal) per minute | ||
[edit] Sales figures
[edit] Special versions
- Pur Sang
- Launched on 11 September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show the "Pur Sang"[19] (thoroughbred) is a limited run of five cars.[20] They have high-gloss aluminium roadwheels with a diamond-cut finish and a clear body finish revealing the Veyron's aluminium-carbon fibre body, but are otherwise standard.
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- Fbg Par Hermès
- A Hermès-themed model: Hermès monogram on the front grille, roadwheels with a single H in the centre, and fuel filler door engraved with Bugatti Veyron Fbg Par Hermès. The interior is done in Hermès leather with internal door handles reminiscent of handles used on Hermès trunks - and a Hermès wallet and Hermès suitcase is included.[21][22]
- Sang Noir
- A limited run of 15 cars[23] with an all-black exterior colour palette and a bright orange interior.
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- Bleu Centenaire
- A celebratory model unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.[24] for the 100th anniversary of the Bugatti brand. The entire body is painted in a combination of matte and gloss "Bugatti Blue",[25] the mid-section between the two wings on the hood is expanded, and a chrome strip up the middle added.
- Grand Sport
- A targa top version unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance[26] on 15 August 2008, with production beginning in spring 2009. The model has extensive reinforcements to compensate for the lack of standard roof,[27] and small changes to the windshield and running lights. There are two removable tops, the second a temporary roof fashioned after an umbrella. The top speed with the hardtop in place is the same as the standard coupé version, but with the roof down is limited to 369 km/h (229 mph)—and to 130 km/h (81 mph) with the temporary soft roof. The first (chassis 001) was sold at auction, raising approximately $900,000 for charity.[28]
- Grand Sport Sang Bleu
- Blue carbon fibre with polished aluminium, rims inspired by the Grand Sport Roadster highlighted in a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut two-tone finish.
 Side view |  Interior |  Rear end |  Front |
 Engine |
- Grand Sport Grey Carbon
- Exposed carbon fibre with metallic grey and lower portion in polished aluminium.[29]
- Super Sport
- Improved aerodynamics kit, 1,200 metric horsepower (883 kW; 1,184 bhp) 1,500 newton metres (1,100 ft·lbf) torque engine upgrade. It has a 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) top speed, making it the fastest road car in production,[2][30][31] although it is electronically limited to 257.91 mph (415.07 km/h) to protect the tyres from disintegrating. It does 1/4 mile in 7.2 seconds with very impressive 32 seconds for 0-400KPH. The first five of an unannounced production run made its debut in a matte black and orange color combination, all of which have been spoken for. The public debut was at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2010. It is valued at £1.7 million and Bugatti have stated that only 300 will be produced.
- The Super Sport was featured on Series 15, Episode 5 of Top Gear, where presenter, James May attempted to set the speed record. It managed 259.11 mph (417.00 km/h), briefly setting a new production car speed record. Later in the day though, one of Bugatti's test drivers (Pierre Henri Raphanel) broke May's previous record, claiming it through runs in both directions (May only did one run in one direction) and registering an average top speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph). The car then went round the Top Gear Test Track and topped the lap leader board with a 1:16.8 time, beating the 1:17.1 record set previously by the Gumpert Apollo Sport.
[edit] Criticisms and comments
[edit] Reviews
[edit] Top Gear
On Top Gear the car has received considerable praise from all three presenters. Jeremy Clarkson declared the Veyron "the greatest piece of engineering ever. No, I'm sorry, this is the greatest car ever made and the greatest car we will ever see in our lifetime." James May proclaimed that the Veyron is "our Concorde moment". To review the car, Clarkson drove from Alba, northern Italy to London whilst racing James May and Richard Hammond who were travelling in a Cessna 182 aeroplane.A few episodes later, James May drove the Veyron at the VW test track and took it to its top speed of 253 mph (407.16 km/h). During the second episode of the 13th season, Richard Hammond raced the Veyron against the McLaren F1 driven by The Stig in a one mile drag race in Abu Dhabi, commenting on Bugatti's "amazing technical achievement" versus the "non gizmo" racing purity of the F1. While the F1 was quicker off the line and remained ahead until both cars were travelling at approximately 200 km/h, the Bugatti overtook its competitor from 200 to 300 km/h, and emerged the victor. Hammond has stated that he did not use the Veyron's launch control in order to make the race more interesting.
The Veyron also won the award for Car of the Decade in Top Gear's end of 2009 award show. Clarkson commented "It was a car that just rewrote the rule book really, an amazing piece of engineering, a genuine Concorde moment". When the standard version was tested, it did not reach the top of the lap time leader board, which was speculated as being due to the car's considerable weight disadvantage against the other cars towards the top. The SuperSport version, however, achieved the fastest ever time of 1:16.8, as well as being taken to a (verified) average top speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) by Raphanel on the programme,[32] henceforth retaking its position as the fastest production car in the world.
There is a new Bugatti Veyron modeling company close to the old Bugatti production company in Chateau St. Jean. The company was under the care of the architect Gunter Henn. A little bit away from that location the parts building that stores the parts and other parts supplied by car assemblers from Europe.
