Monday 18th August 2008

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

80mph max speed for convertible Veyron

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Bugatti chose this weekend's Concours d'Elegance classic car show at Pebble Beach, California, to launch its new Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport. The car is powered by the same quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine but now comes with a removable lightweight transparent polycarbonate roof.

There is also an emergency soft top that can be fitted to protect the driver from a sudden downpour. In Bugatti’s own words, the soft can be 'stowed in the trunk like an umbrella'.

The removal of the roof creates the world's fastest convertible but unfortunately the car is limited to a rather pathetic 217mph with the top removed. Put the polycarbonate roof in place and the top speed of 253mph can be achieved. If you go for the soft top then you won't be allowed to go over 80mph.

The car gets new horseshoe-style wheels and different LED headlights, as well as a higher windscreen. Under the skin the carbon fibre monocoque has been substantially reinforced to cope with the structural loss of the open roof. According to Bugatti, the monocoque structure was reinforced around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel while the B-pillars were cross-stiffened using a carbon fibre support.

The air inlets now feature 10cm wide carbon fibre elements to protect the occupants in the event of a rollover. Another new feature is a rear reversing camera.

 

 

[Skinner.Daddy]

Drool

[tomTVR]

I'll take two please.

[Gruppe1875]

Stunning, esp in white!

[DamoLLb]

I assume the soft top speed is a guide line like that on the Murci....not an actual electronic limitation? Getting blitzed by a fiesta TDCI would be a little annoying on the AutoBahn!

[neema_T]

DamoLLb said:

I assume the soft top speed is a guide line like that on the Murci....not an actual electronic limitation? Getting blitzed by a fiesta TDCI would be a little annoying on the AutoBahn!

But then having the roof of your car blown off or caved in by aerodynamics would get old pretty quick too, especially as a replacement would probably cost more than said Fiesta

[Assmask]

DamoLLb said:

I assume the soft top speed is a guide line like that on the Murci....not an actual electronic limitation? Getting blitzed by a fiesta TDCI would be a little annoying on the AutoBahn!

Probably some sensor that notes whether the soft top is up or not. Just in case it gets ripped off at high speed. It does say "emergency" roof, so you'd only use it if you got caught out rather than as a functional day to day roof.

[Vagabond]

Exactly, the article title is completely misleading, obviously to try and give it some shock value, bit stupid really.

In a situation where you're caught out by a bit of rain and want to get where you're ging dry, a 80MPH top speed isnt a big deal.

TBH 80MPH is plenty on pretty much any road anyway, and I dont see someone driving a Bugatti Veyron being concerned whether a Fiesta is overtaking them.

On the autobhan, 217MPH with no roof would be more than enough im sure!! serious achievement in itself.

Edited by Vagabond on Monday 18th August 11:57

[matc]

DamoLLb said:

Getting blitzed by a fiesta TDCI would be a little annoying on the AutoBahn!

The Fiesta TDCI must have moved on a bit in performance stakes since the last time I looked!!

[ZetecPower]

It still doesnt do it for me

Plus it still cant beat a 335d (mapped)

[nivlac]

why cant they engineer the roof to be more durable? and rs4 cab will do its top speed with a ragtop in place. even an old escort xr3i could manage it. 80mph? pathetic.you hit that speed in 5 seconds and then have to cruise and not accelerate.

[compact_23]

' limited to a rather pathetic 217mph with the top removed. '

Hardly pathetic in my eyes..?

Looks stunning!

[sirtyro]

nivlac said:

why cant they engineer the roof to be more durable? and rs4 cab will do its top speed with a ragtop in place. even an old escort xr3i could manage it. 80mph? pathetic.you hit that speed in 5 seconds and then have to cruise and not accelerate.

I'm sure it can hit 80mph quicker then 5 seconds

[Dagnut]

white cars look sh!t

[AlexRWD]

Drat, now I'm going to have to go and trade in my hard-top Bug, lol

[Stefan Tapp]

Dagnut said:

white cars look sh!t

No, brown cars look sh!t.



Stef

[Sivraj]

Am I right in assuming that the polycarbonate roof will have to be removed manually !!!!
For the price of these things you would think that Bugatti would have designed a fantastic little system that could store the roof away electronically when not in use.

[SleeperCell]

Top speed is irrelevant anyway as most of these will never exceed 28mph on their laps through knightsbridge.

[fastgerman.com]

What's with these 335d comments on every thread?

Diesel's are still tractors / taxis in my view!

This Veyron looks fab and very hot in white, don't usually like white cars but saw a white Cayman S with black wheels and script going through Guildford yesterday and my mind was changed!

[duffman]

Sivraj said:

For the price of these things you would think that Bugatti would have designed a fantastic little system that could store the roof away electronically when not in use.

Adds too much weight though

[qwick]

Sivraj said:

Am I right in assuming that the polycarbonate roof will have to be removed manually !!!!
For the price of these things you would think that Bugatti would have designed a fantastic little system that could store the roof away electronically when not in use.

Surely you have a little man who pops out and takes the roof off it for you. No?

Edited by qwick on Monday 18th August 12:52