Bugatti Veyron 16.4 ContestThe new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport has made its international debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance over the weekend and claims the mantle of the world's fastest and most exclusive drop-top.
In order to make open-top driving a reality in the ultra-fast Veyron, Bugatti engineers had to incorporate a host of new and innovative safety and equipment features and optimum rigidity and lightweight engineering to ensure near identical performance to the 'standard' Veyron. This includes extensive use of carbon fibre - to keep weight gain to an absolute minimum - to 'cross-stiffen' the B-pillars, doors, and many other components to maintain vehicular rigidity with a unique removable roof in place. A higher windscreen has been fitted to stop excessive wind noise from entering the cabin.
As a result, the 736 kW quad turbocharged W16 engine powered Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h and 360 km/h with the roof on and off respectively. Should the heavens open up unexpectedly, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time to keep the plush interior and the occupants - their toupes too - shielded from the rain. When this folding roof or umbrella is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h - well above the legal limit for Australia roads anyway.
The hand-assembled Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport goes on sale from March 2009 with a price tag of 1.4 million euros (excluding tax) or AUD$2.4 million. Just 150 examples of this exclusive targa will be made.
As a result, the 736 kW quad turbocharged W16 engine powered Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport can reach 407 km/h and 360 km/h with the roof on and off respectively. Should the heavens open up unexpectedly, an innovative folding roof stored in the luggage compartment can be opened up like an umbrella at any time to keep the plush interior and the occupants - their toupes too - shielded from the rain. When this folding roof or umbrella is in place, the car can travel at up to 130 km/h - well above the legal limit for Australia roads anyway.
The hand-assembled Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport goes on sale from March 2009 with a price tag of 1.4 million euros (excluding tax) or AUD$2.4 million. Just 150 examples of this exclusive targa will be made.
