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.