Bugatti Veyron. Main hypercar of the planet
The Bugatti Veyron is a production hypercar produced from 2005 to 2015 by the Bugatti brand under the auspices of the Volkswagen Group. For 10 years, only 450 cars have been produced: 300 coupes and 150 roadsters. This is a rare and unique car, the collection value of which will only grow over the years. Why? Well, because at the time of its appearance, the Veyron immediately became the greatest car on the planet. For the first time, a production model was able to overcome two psychologically important milestones at once: an output of 1,000 hp and a speed of 400 km/h. Throughout 10 years of existence of this two-ton beast, no one has been able to officially surpass it.
The Bugatti brand conquered the automotive Olympus, and the magnificent Veyron provoked a serious high-speed race among automakers. The pursuit of maximum speed continues to this day, even after the departure of Veyron from the scene. Therefore, the Bugatti Veyron is remembered not for its price and exclusivity, but for the fact that the entire automotive world was trying to surpass Bugatti, including SSC (USA) and Koenigsegg (Sweden). The competition for the title of the fastest car on the planet continues, Bugatti itself took part in it with its Chiron, the heir to the Veyron. The current leader of the high-speed race among production cars is the SSC Tuatara with an incredible result of almost 533 km/h!
The coolest hypercar of the 21st century
What’s the most shocking thing about the Bugatti Veyron? First of all, a price of 1.24 million dollars and a fabulously expensive maintenance cost. Even the technical fluid change cost the owner 25 thousand dollars a year. A set of special Michelin tires made specifically for the Veyron cost $38,000. And to replace a transmission, you had to pay 120 thousand dollars (like a whole Mercedes S-Class). With all this, the Volkswagen Group did not earn, but lost 6 million dollars on each Veyron sold!
A lot of money was spent on the development of the Bugatti Veyron, which is not surprising, as the technical level of the hypercar at that time was mind-blowing. The W16 engine with a volume of 8 liters was equipped with four turbines, and its first version developed 1001 hp. Such a monster was cooled by as many as 10 radiators, but the result was worth it: acceleration to 100 km/h occurred in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 408 km/h.
The price started from 1.24 million dollars. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurred in 2.6 seconds, while the top speed reached 408 km/h
The powerful engine was paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission and an all-wheel drive system based on the Haldex clutch. With the incredible active aerodynamics, in order to accelerate to the maximum speed, it was necessary to activate a special mode in which the air ducts in the front bumper were closed, the ground clearance was reduced to 6 cm, and the movable rear wing switched to the mode of least resistance. It also played the role of a large air brake, helping the mighty carbon-ceramic brakes.
At the same time, the Bugatti Veyron was not a racing car, but a production car designed for public roads. You don’t have to be a professional racer to drive it. You just need to sit down and drive without thinking about how to keep this monster on the road. The interior was luxurious and comfortable, the engine was quiet and the chassis was smooth. Therefore, the Veyron would suit any wealthy person who loved speed and thrills.
Special versions
The Veyron had a huge number of special versions that began to appear almost immediately after the debut of the hypercar. We’ll just tell you about some of the limited or unique models.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport
The open-top version of the Veyron was released in 2009 and had many improvements to maintain body rigidity and top speed. The Grand Sport was equipped with a removable rigid central part of the roof, made of translucent polycarbonate. In addition, a soft fabric awning was also used. The maximum speed of the open-top Grand Sport was 349 km/h. When installing a plastic top, it increased to 407 km/h. A total of 150 cars were produced, with the first 50 intended only for existing Bugatti customers.
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
It debuted in 2010. This special version consisted of 30 cars for lovers of extreme sensations. The engine output grew to 1,200 hp, and aerodynamics became even more sophisticated. The speed limiter was set at around 415 km/h to save tires from destruction under monstrous loads. But the five World Record Edition Super Sports cars (black and orange bodywork with exposed carbon, custom wheels) came without a limiter. That very version was tested by James May (Top Gear) with a result of 417 km/h. During two races (back and forth, as prescribed by the requirements of the Guinness Book of Records), the test pilot of Bugatti achieved 431 km/h (arithmetic average of both races) and 434 km/h.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
It was released in 2012. An open-top version Super Sport with a 1,200-horsepower engine. The roadster differed from the closed model by an elongated windshield and a removable polycarbonate roof, which physically did not fit into a tiny, 38-liter trunk. Therefore, a folding rectangular umbrella with a carbon frame served as a protection from bad weather. It folded easily, was installed instead of a roof, was easy to transport, and could withstand speeds up to 160 km/h.
Legends Veyrons
This is a special series of 6 cars, where each is unique and dedicated to a person who has taken a special place in the history of the brand. For example, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Jean-Pierre Wimille is dedicated to the Bugatti factory driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 and 1939. Another Grand Sport Vitesse was dedicated to the son of the founder of the French brand Ettore Bugatti, Jean, who died at the age of 30 while testing the Type 57S Tank model. At a speed of 200 km/h, he tried to avoid a collision with a cyclist, lost control and crashed into a tree. This special edition is painted black.
Bugatti Veyron La Finale
This is the final version. The latest car in the Veyron dynasty is the same Grand Sport Vitesse, but in a special color and with the appropriate inscriptions: an exclusive black and ruby color, specially designed wheels, the ‘La Finale’ inscription on the wing, front bumper and headrests. The hypercar featured the same 8-liter W16 engines with four turbines, producing 1,200 hp and 1,500 Nm of torque, which is transmitted to all wheels through a 7-speed robotic gearbox. The final version of the Veyron accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds, with a top speed of 407 km/h.
