The original version has a top speed of 407 km/h (253 mph).[5][6] It was named the 2000s Car of the Decade by theBBC television programmeTop Gear. The standard Veyron also wonTop Gear's Best Car Driven All Year award in 2005.
The Super Sport version of the Veyron is one of thefasteststreet-legal production cars in the world, with a top speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph).[7] The Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse was the fastest roadster in the world, reaching an averaged top speed of 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph) in a test on 6 April 2013.[8][9] Theproduction car speed record was later taken by another Bugatti, the Chiron, and then often changed hands for a while.[10]
The Veyron's chief designer wasHartmut Warkuß, with the exterior being designed byJozef Kabaň of Volkswagen. Much of the engineering work was conducted under the guidance of chief technical officer Wolfgang Schreiber. The Veyron includes a sound system designed and built byBurmester Audiosysteme.[11]
Several special variants have been produced. In December 2010, Bugatti began offering prospective buyers the ability to customise exterior and interior colours by using theVeyron 16.4 Configurator application on the marque's official website.[12][13] The Bugatti Veyron was discontinued in late 2014, but special edition models continued to be produced until 2015.
Bugatti Veyron EB 16/4 Concept, a modified version of the 18/4 Veyron
In May 1998,Volkswagen AG acquired the rights to use the Bugatti logo and the trade nameBugatti Automobiles S.A.S. To succeed theEB 110 model produced under theprevious ownership, the automaker quickly released a series of concept cars whose technological advancements would culminate in the form of the Veyron 16.4.
In October 1999, Bugatti unveiled a fourthconcept car at theTokyo Motor Show. The EB 18/4 Veyron was amid-engine sports car styled in-house under the direction of Hartmut Warkuß.[15] In 2000, a modified version, the EB 16/4 Veyron, was displayed at motor shows inDetroit, Geneva, and Paris. Rather than the three-bank W18 engine of the four previous concept cars, the EB 16/4 featured the four-bank WR16 engine architecture installed in every production example of the Veyron.[16] Warkuß also commissionedSEAT head of design,Walter de Silva, to submit a design proposal for the new Bugatti. The design was ultimately rejected in favour of Warkuß's own proposal.[17]
The decision to start production of the car was made by the Volkswagen Group in 2001. The first roadworthy prototype was completed in August 2003. It is identical to the later series variant, except for a few details. In the transition from development to series production, considerable technical problems had to be addressed, repeatedly delaying production until September 2005.[18]
The Veyron features an 8.0-litre, quad-turbocharged,W16 cylinder engine, equivalent to two narrow-angleV8 engines bolted together. Each cylinder hasfour valves for a total of 64, but the configuration of each bank allows twooverhead camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only four camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by fourturbochargers and displaces 7,993 cc (487.8 cu in), with a square 86 by 86 mm (3.39 by 3.39 in) bore and stroke.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4Bugatti Veyron Interior
The transmission is adual-clutchdirect-shift computer-controlledautomatic transmission having sevengear ratios, withmagnesium paddles behind the steering wheel and a shift time of less than 150 milliseconds, built byRicardo of England rather thanBorg-Warner, who designed the six speed DSG used in the mainstream Volkswagen Group marques. The Veyron can be driven in either semi-automatic or fully-automatic mode. A replacement transmission for the Veyron costs just overUS$120,000.[21] It also haspermanent all-wheel drive using theHaldex Traction system. It uses specialMichelinPAXrun-flat tyres, designed specifically to accommodate the Veyron's top speed, and costUS$25,000 per set.[21] The tyres can be mounted on the wheels only in France, a service which costsUS$70,000.[21]Kerb weight is 1,888 kg (4,162 lb).[22] This gives the car a power-to-weight ratio, according to Volkswagen Group's figures, of 530 PS (390 kW; 523 hp) per ton.The car's wheelbase is 2,710 mm (106.7 in). Overall length is 4,462 mm (175.7 in) which gives 1,752.6 mm (69.0 in) of overhang. The width is 1,998 mm (78.7 in) and height 1,204 mm (47.4 in). The Bugatti Veyron has a total of ten radiators:[23]
3 air-to-liquid intercooler loop radiators
3 engine water-cooling radiators
1 air conditioning condenser
1 transmission oil radiator
1 differential oil radiator
1 engine oil radiator
It has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.41 (normal condition) andCd=0.36 (after lowering to the ground),[24] and a frontal area of 2.07 m2 (22.3 sq ft).[25] This gives it a drag area, the product ofdrag coefficient and frontal area, ofCdA=0.74 m2 (8.0 sq ft).
According to Volkswagen Group and certified byTÜV Süddeutschland, the W16 engine utilised by the Veyron has a power output of 736 kW (987 hp; 1,001 PS), and generates 1,250 N⋅m (922 lbf⋅ft) of torque.[26][27][28]
German inspection officials recorded an average top speed of the original version at 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph)[6] during test sessions on Volkswagen Group's privateEhra-Lessien test track on 19 April 2005.
This top speed was almost matched byJames May onTop Gear in November 2006, at the Ehra-Lessien test track, at 407.5 km/h (253.2 mph).[6] May noted that at top speed the engine consumes 45,000 L (9,900 imp gal) of air per minute (as much as a human breathes in four days). Back in theTop Gear studio, co-presenterJeremy Clarkson commented that most sports cars felt like they were shaking apart at their top speed, and asked May if that was the case with the Veyron at 407 km/h (253 mph). May responded that the Veyron was very controlled, and only wobbled slightly when the air brake deployed.[29]
In regular use, the ability to reach the above absolute top speed is locked out. The car's normal top speed is listed as 343 km/h (213 mph). Also, when the car reaches 220 km/h (137 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. In thishandling mode, the wing provides 3,425 newtons (770 lbf) of downforce, holding the car to the road.[23]
To reach the car's absolute top speed, itstop speed mode must be entered while the vehicle is at rest. For this, the driver must use a special top speed key in a keyhole to the left of their seat, which triggers a checklist to establish whether the car and its driver are ready to attempt to reach 407 km/h (253 mph). If so, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers shut, and normal 12.5 cm (4.9 in) ground clearance drops to 6.5 cm (2.6 in).
The Veyron's brakes use cross drilled, radially ventedcarbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) composite discs, manufactured bySGL Carbon, which have lessbrake fade and weigh less than standard cast iron discs.[30] The lightweight aluminium alloy monobloc brake calipers are made byAP Racing; the front have eight[23]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, ananti-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 (124 mph), the rear wing also acts as anairbrake, 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).[23] Bugatti claims the Veyron will brake from 400 km/h (249 mph) to a standstill in less than 10 seconds, though distance covered in this time will be half a kilometre (third of a mile).[23]
Collaboration with French design houseHermès, featuring a bull calfskin interior. This model was limited to four units. A Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport was later produced in the same configuration.
Thetarga top version of the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4, dubbed the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, was unveiled at the 2008Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.[38][39] It has extensive reinforcements to compensate for the lack of a standard roof[40] and small changes to the windshield and running lights. Two removable tops are included, the second a temporary arrangement fashioned after an umbrella. The top speed with the hardtop in place is the same as the standard coupé version, but with the roof removed is limited to 369 km/h (229 mph)—and to 130 km/h (81 mph) with the temporary soft roof. The Grand Sport edition was limited to 150 units, with the first 50 going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. Production began in the second quarter of 2009.
Collaboration between Bugatti and theRoyal Porcelain Factory in Berlin. Claimed to be the first car to feature real porcelain parts, with a thin porcelain layer coating the exterior, as well as porcelain inlays on the interior and on certain exterior pieces such as the fuel filler cap, badges, and wheel center caps. One made.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport "Dubai Motor Show 2011" Special Edition[44]
November 2011
€1.58 million, excluding taxes and transport
Introduced with a horizontal colour split with a bright yellow body framed in visible black carbon (including black-tinted wheels), seats in yellow-coloured leather upholstery with black stitching, middle console in black carbon, dashboard, steering wheel and gearshift made of black leather with yellow stitching.[45] The car was then shown again at the 2012Qatar Motor Show.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport "Dubai Motor Show 2011" Special Edition
November 2011
€1.74 million, excluding taxes and transport
Presented in a two-tone horizontal colour split consisting of visible blue carbon, framed in polished, anodised aluminium.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport "Dubai Motor Show 2011" Special Edition
November 2011
€1.74 million, excluding taxes and transport
Came in the newly developed green carbon fibre tone with polished aluminium.
One off model painted by French conceptual artistBernar Venet, with designs on the exterior and interior made up of technical equations used by Bugatti engineers during the making of the Veyron.[48]
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, World Record Edition (2010–2011)
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition – formerly thefastest road legal production car attaining a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph)
Rear 3/4 view
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is a faster, more powerful version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. Production was limited to 48 units. The Super Sport has increased engine power output of 1,200 PS (882 kW; 1,183 hp) at 6,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 1,500 N⋅m (1,106 lb⋅ft) at 3,000–5,000 rpm and a revised aerodynamic package.[49] The Super Sport has been driven as fast as 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph), making it the fastest production road car in the world at the time of its introduction[4][50][51] although it is electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph) to protect the tyres from disintegrating.[49]
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport World Record Edition is a version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. It is limited to five units. It has an orange body detailing, orange wheels, and a special black exposed carbon body. The electronic limiter is also removed with this version.[52]
The model was unveiled in 2010 at The Quail, followed by the 2010 Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca, and the 2010Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.[53]
On 4 July 2010,James May, a television presenter onBBC Two's television showTop Gear, drove the Veyron Super Sport on Volkswagen'sEhra-Lessien (nearWolfsburg, Germany) high-speed test track at 417.61 km/h (259.49 mph). Later that day, Bugatti's official test driverPierre Henri Raphanel drove the Super Sport version of the Veyron at the same track to establish the car's top speed. With representatives of theGuinness Book of Records and German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) on hand, Raphanel made passes around the big oval in both directions achieving an average maximum speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph), thus taking back the title from theSSC Ultimate Aero TT as thefastest production vehicle of all time.[7] The 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) mark was reached by averaging the Super Sport's two test runs, the first reaching 427.933 km/h (265.905 mph) and the second 434.211 km/h (269.806 mph).[54][55]
When the record was certified it was already well known to the public that the customer car would be electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph). Yet, after a query by theSunday Times Guinness' PR director Jaime Strang was quoted on 5 April 2013: "As the car's speed limiter was deactivated, this modification was against the official guidelines. Consequently, the vehicle's record set at 431.072 km/h is no longer valid." On 10 April 2013, it was written on its website: "Guinness World Records would like to confirm that Bugatti's record has not been disqualified; the record category is currently under review."
On 15 April 2013, Bugatti's speed record was confirmed: "Following a thorough review conducted with a number of external experts, Guinness World Records is pleased to announce the confirmation of Bugatti's record of Fastest production car achieved by the Veyron 16.4 SuperSport. The focus of the review was with respect to what may constitute a modification to a car's standard specification. Having evaluated all the necessary information, Guinness World Records is now satisfied that a change to the speed limiter does not alter the fundamental design of the car or its engine."[56][57][58]
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse (2012–2015)
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is a targa top version of the Veyron Super Sport. The engine in the Vitesse variant has a maximum power output of 1,200 PS (882 kW; 1,183 bhp) at 6,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 1,500 N⋅m (1,100 lb⋅ft) at 3,000–5,000 rpm. These figures allow the car to accelerate from a stand still to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.6 seconds. On normal roads, the Vitesse is electronically limited to 375 km/h (233 mph).
Named after Jean Bugatti, the eldest son of company founder Ettore. Inspired by theBugatti Type 57SC Atlantic "La Voiture Noire", and features Bugatti's first use of platinum in the badges.[82]
This model is reminiscent of the Bugatti Type 35. One of the three model made, the only US-spec car, was sold in August 2020 at Bonhams Quail auction for US$1,750,000 inc. premium.[84]
A Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse driven by the Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu at Volkswagen Group's proving grounds inEhra-Lessien became the fastest open-top production sports car, with a top speed of 408.84 km/h (254.04 mph).[64]
After the world record attempt, Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S, said "When we introduced the Vitesse, we established the top speed for open-top driving to be 375 km/h. Still, we could not let go of the idea of reaching the 400 km/h mark with this car as well. The fact that we have succeeded in reaching 408.84 km/h is a thrill for me, and it reaffirms once again that Bugatti is the leader when it comes to technology in the international automotive industry." The driver, Anthony Liu, claimed "Even at such high speeds it remained incredibly comfortable and stable. With an open-top, you can really experience the sound of the engine and yet even at higher speeds I did not get compromised by the wind at all."[63]
Standard (Coupé), Grand Sport (Roadster): €1,225,000 (£1,065,000;US$1,700,000) Super Sport (Coupé), Grand Sport Vitesse (Roadster): €1,912,500 (£1,665,000;US$2,700,000)
7,993 cc (487.8 cu in) Standard (Coupé), Grand Sport (Roadster): 1,001 PS (736 kW; 987 bhp) at 6,000 rpm Super Sport (Coupé), Grand Sport Vitesse (Roadster): 1,200 PS (882 kW; 1,183 bhp) at 6,400 rpm
The Bugatti Veyron Linea D'oro is a car made on the basis of the Veyron Grand Sport and the 16.4 by the German car modification firmMansory.
The D'oro's exterior design is identical to its predecessor's but it has a few differences such as the gold paint on the badge, rims and other features. The iconic V-shaped badge is also present on this car's front grille.[105]
The Bugatti Veyron Linea Viviere (commonly known as the Mansory Viviere) is a car made on the basis of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport by the German car modification firmMansory.
This car's exterior design features the iconic V-shaped front grille and an additional exhaust system below its rear lights. The interior has been handcrafted and carbon fibre has been extensively used.[106]
This car has a second generation known as the Viviere Diamond Edition which has been made on the same basis. This car is the final Veyron Edition tuned by Mansory and has a marble coloured exterior paintwork.[107]
The Bugatti Veyron Linea Viviere costs US$2.3 million, making it one of the most expensive Veyrons ever produced.[108]
As of 6 August 2014[update], 405 cars had been produced and delivered to customers worldwide, with orders that have already been placed for another 30. Bugatti was reported to produce 300 coupés and 150 roadsters up to the end of 2015.[109] Production amounted to 450 units in a span of over 10 years. The final production vehicle, a Grand Sport Vitesse titled "La Finale" (The Last One), was displayed at theGeneva Motor Show from 5–15 March 2015.[110]
In 2008, Bugatti then-CEO DrFranz-Josef Paefgen confirmed that the Veyron would be replaced by another high-end model by 2012.[111] In 2011, the new CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer revealed that the company was planning to produce two models in the future — one a sports car-successor to the Veyron, the other a limousine known as theBugatti 16C Galibier, which was later cancelled since Bugatti was later then working on a successor to the Veyron, which became theBugatti Chiron.[112]
A toned-down version of the radically styled Vision Gran Turismo concept car, now called theChiron, debuted at the March 2016Geneva Motor Show. Production started in 2017 and will be limited to 500 units.
All three former presenters of the popular BBC motoring showTop Gear have given the Veyron considerable praise. While initially skeptical that the Veyron would ever be produced,Jeremy Clarkson later declared the Veyron "the greatest car ever made and the greatest car we will ever see in our lifetime", comparing it toConcorde andS.S.Great Britain. He noted that the production cost of a Veyron was£5 million, but was sold to customers for just£1 million.Volkswagen designed the car merely as a technical exercise.James May described the Veyron as "our Concorde moment". Clarkson test drove the Veyron fromAlba in northern Italy toLondon in a race against May andRichard Hammond who made the journey in aCessna 182 aeroplane.
A few episodes later, May drove the Veyron at the VW test track and took it to its top speed of 407.16 km/h (253.00 mph). In series 10, Hammond raced the Veyron against theEurofighter Typhoon and lost. He also raced the car in Series 13 against aMcLaren F1 driven byThe Stig in a one-mile (1.6 km) drag race inAbu Dhabi. The commentary focused 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 (124 mph), the Bugatti overtook its competitor from 200 to 300 km/h (124 to 186 mph) and emerged the victor. Hammond has stated that he did not use the Veyron'slaunch control in order to make the race more interesting.
The Veyron also won the award for "Car of the Decade" inTop Gear's end of 2010 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 in 2008, it did not reach the top of the lap time leader board, with a time of 1:18.3, which was speculated as being due to the car's considerable weight disadvantage against the other cars towards the top. In 2010 the Super Sport version achieved the fastest ever time of 1:16.8 (dethroned theGumpert Apollo S, replaced by theAriel Atom V8 in 2011),[120] as well as being taken to a verified average top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) by Raphanel on the programme,[121] thenceforth retaking its position as thefastest production car in the world.[122][123][124]
In 2011, Martin Roach's bookBugatti Veyron: A Quest for Perfection – The Story of the Greatest Car in the World[125] took the stance that the car had now become so famous that it is effectively a bona fide celebrity. The book follows its author as he attempts to track down and drive the car, along the way interviewing chief designers, test drivers, and the president of Bugatti.
During its development periodMcLaren F1 designerGordon Murray said in UK auto magazineEvo: "The most pointless exercise on the planet has got to be this four-wheel-drive, thousand-horsepower Bugatti." But after driving it he called it "a huge achievement".[126]
Murray was impressed with the Veyron's engine and transmission after he test drove one forRoad & Track magazine. He also praised its styling: "The styling is a wonderful mélange of classic curves and mechanical edges and elements — this should ensure that the car will still look good years from now, and therefore have a chance of becoming a future classic."[127]
^"Staff change at Škoda Auto design department" (Press release). Škoda-Auto.com. 10 December 2007. Archived fromthe original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved29 August 2009.Jozef Kabaň . . . Commissioned by the Volkswagen Group, he became responsible for developing the design of the Bugatti Veyron in 1999, and then worked in that position from the time of the first sketches until the point of launching mass production.
^"Pierre Veyron".bugatti.com. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. 30 November 2011. Archived fromthe original on 2 June 2012. Retrieved28 July 2012.The zenith of Veyron's racing career was his victory together with Jean Pierre Wimille in the 25-hour Le Mans race of 1939.
^abCsere, Csaba (November 2005)."Bugatti Veyron 16.4 – First Drive Review: The fastest and most expensive production car ever".Car and Driver.When I ask Bugatti development boss Wolfgang Schreiber to explain how the same engine can be rated at 1 SAE net horsepower at 6000 rpm for the U.S. but only 987 horsepower (1001 PS) for Europe, he laughs, saying, "The production engines are all putting out between 1020 and 1040 PS—enough to cover both promises."
^Hudson, Paul (18 October 2010)."Bugatti Veyron 16.4 SuperSport review".The Daily Telegraph. UK.Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved1 November 2010.The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is officially the world's fastest production car, after reaching 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) at the VW group's Ehra-Lessien test track on 3 July. Watched by independent testers and a Guinness Book of Records representative, Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel recorded two runs in opposite directions, reaching 427.933 km/h (265.905 mph) and 434.211 km/h (269.806 mph) respectively. The new record is an average of the two.
^Roach, Martin (29 September 2011).Bugatti Veyron: A Quest for Perfection – The Story of the Greatest Car in the World.Preface Publishing.ISBN978-1-84809-348-5.
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